4.5 month visit visa for American

I’m a 20 yr old American student. 
This summer I’m staying with a friend in the UK (Inverness, Scotland). Her family owns a hotel and they’re allowing me to stay there free. I’ll have most of my meals covered, so the only money I’ll need to bring is money to spend on travel, souvenirs, dinner out, etc.

Maybe I’m being paranoid (ok, I know I am) but I’m worried about getting though immigration at the UK border. I wasn’t, but then I heard all these horror stories about people getting denied entry for various reasons (like not having enough funds, etc). I don’t want that to be me. 

I will be in the UK for 4.5 months, and I’m just coming as a visitor. I plan on bringing the following with me to show the Immegration officers:

-   Bank statement showing I have $3,000 in my account
-   Letter from my friend explaining that I will have a place to stay
-   My return plan ticket.
-   A letter from my College (Indiana University) that explains my classes start in august.
-   My passport (obviously)

Is there anything else I should bring or anything else I should keep in mind? Thanks!

All you really need is the passport. I've been to England on multiple occasions and the stamp in my passport says "no longer than 6 months". Other than that, the only questions which have been asked are "business or pleasure" and "address where you will be staying during your visit."

All you really need is the passport. I've been to England on multiple occasions and the stamp in my passport says "no longer than 6 months". Other than that, the only questions which have been asked are "business or pleasure" and "address where you will be staying during your visit."

That's not good advice, and you might want to read the many threads where people are turned away for not showing sufficient ties to the US when coming to visit for extended period.
Yes hoosier, that looks fine to me, obviously it's not a guarantee that you'll get in but you seem to have your bases covered without going overboard, the one thing I would say is, because your friends own a hotel the IO may think you're coming to work, so putting together an itinerary of touristy things you want to do, like print outs of castles and things you're going to visit, or print outs of trips you're going to take whilst here (I am assuming you are) would help I think.

  Really? I've flown into both Heathrow, Gatwick and also direct into Manchester and Liverpool. I've entered the England over 10 separate times from the U.S. as well as from Europe and the Middle East. Not once have I had any issues with entering the country. Sometimes I've travelled with lots of luggage, other times with nothing at all. My most recent trip was March of this year and I only had a small backpack with me.

  Direct from the State Dept and UKBA:  While some countries impose a minimum passport validity for arriving passengers, there is no such requirement for the United Kingdom. U.S. citizens seeking entry as tourists or visitors are simply required to present a valid passport, as explained on the website of the UK Border Agency.

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1052.html

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/customs-travel/Enteringtheuk/arrivingatukborder/

Were you staying for as long as the OP, Guvnor? It is one thing when you are trying to get in for a few weeks, but four months is a whole different game.

I agree with Cheesebiscuit that if I were an IO illegal work is what I would be most concerned with regarding your trip. Showing some planned activities would probably be a good idea.

 Yes, stayed 6 months then left the country for a week and came back for another 2 months.

 If the OP is still in doubt, I'd recommend contacting the State Dept. or UKBA. It just seems that he has been given the same documentation recommendations as someone who wanted a work visa or an extended stay visa and not what is required as a tourist, that is my only concern.

If you go to the UKBA website and do their little "Do You Need A Visa" form, this is what you get:

NO, in most cases you do not need a visa to come to the UK for a short visit

You told us that

    you are a national of United States.
    you are coming to UK to Visit.
    you are normally and legally living in United States.

What do you need to do?

If you are coming to the UK for a short visit (up to 6 months), you generally do not need a visa.

However, you should bring documents with you to show our immigration officers when you arrive at the UK border.

The Visiting the UK section describes the different categories of visitor visa, and lists the types of document that you may want to provide. It also explains the conditions of your stay as a visitor.

Although you do not need a visa, you may want to obtain one before you travel (for example, if you have a criminal record or you have previously been refused permission to enter the UK). And you will need a visa if you want to come here in some categories of visitor (such as a visitor for marriage or civil partnership). The Visiting the UK section contains more information.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/do-you-need-a-visa/

Then if you go to their general visitor section to find out what documents you may need to bring with you:

What documents do you need as a general visitor?

This page contains information about the documents that you may want to provide to support your application to come to the UK as a general visitor.

If you apply for a visa, you should provide these documents with your visa application. If you travel to the UK without a visa, you should bring them with you so that you can show them to our officers at the border.

You should provide as many relevant documents as you can to show that you qualify for entry to the UK. If you do not provide them, we may refuse your application.

You must decide which documents will best support your application. We advise you to consider providing documents that contain:

    information about you
    information about your finances and employment
    your accommodation and travel details
    information about your visit to the UK

You can download our supporting documents checklist from the right side of this page.

Emphasis mine.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/visiting/general/documents/

Yes, stayed 6 months then left the country for a week and came back for another 2 months.

 If the OP is still in doubt, I'd recommend contacting the State Dept. or UKBA. It just seems that he has been given the same documentation recommendations as someone who wanted a work visa or an extended stay visa and not what is required as a tourist, that is my only concern.

The State Department has nothing to do with a tourist wanting to enter the UK. 

  Thanks for the links. I read that and the re-read it. What I got out of that was that the "average traveller" does not need documents. In "some" cases, as described by the block quote from the UKBA website, you may need to.

Better the OP bring extra evidence and not need to show anything, then not bring anything and get sent back because an IO was having a bad day.

The 'average traveler' doesn't spend four months in a foreign country.

The 'average traveler' doesn't spend four months in a foreign country.

Exactly.

To The OP, you're list of info is perfectly fine. I agree with cheesebiscuit though, a short list wouldn't hurt.

Thanks for all the tips and advice.
I already have a few pages on my computer of tourist sites I plan on visiting so I'll just print them and bring them with me in my carry on.
I'm beginning to regret booking such a long trip...my friend told me I could stay up to 6 months, and while that appears to be technically true, I wasn't considering all the extra hassle a long stay would mean at immegration 

Thanks for all the tips and advice.
I already have a few pages on my computer of tourist sites I plan on visiting so I'll just print them and bring them with me in my carry on.
I'm beginning to regret booking such a long trip...my friend told me I could stay up to 6 months, and while that appears to be technically true, I wasn't considering all the extra hassle a long stay would mean at immegration 

I wouldn't say it's a hassle. It just helps to be prepared. And it sounds like you've gotten great advice here! 

I think the fact that you're a student will help. You have a reason to return to the US and the time off from school is normal. The biggest concern will probably be proving you can support yourself without work for those 4.5 months. Good luck!