UK banking for Americans

Fralsz

As my family and I frequently travel to the UK, I've been doing a good amount of research into a US citizen resident in the US trying to open a UK current account, and not turned up much. Barclay's seem to require that you have financial ties to the UK (though I'm not clear on this), and other banks are confusing on the matter. So then, does anyone know of a bank that will open a sterling current account to an American not resident in Britain?
Bonus question: How about any under 18's accounts?

ERICS_MUM

have you tried a UK branch of a US bank, I know Citibank offer a full range of £ accounts in the UK.?