It also has an internationally famous art gallery.
In the UK, smaller flats tend to be furnished. Larger flats/houses are normally unfurnished. The smaller flats generally will rent very well, so there is no room for haggling, but for larger properties, you would be mad not to try and get something of the posted rent especially if it has been advertised on rightmove for more than two weeks
The reason for the no pets thing is that usually properties have carpets and not hard floors. Having moved into a house where the previous owner had cats, the only way to get rid of the smell was to rip out and replace every single carpet which was not a cheap option! (don't have anything against cats, just the smell of stale cat urine )
As for the not drinking thing, don't worry about it. Thanks to the part of the population who don't drink, it is not a problem. Just get used to drinking vast quantities of soft drinks.
Alternatively, due to the stigma that drunk driving has in the UK, just say you have to drive and once everyone has stopped trying to offer you a cheeky drink for the road, they wont even worry about it and will continue drinking whatever it is they want to drink. Just try to stay out of 'rounds' otherwise it will get very expensive.