Customer Reviews

Insight Compact Guide Peak District

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I have been so favorably impressed by Insight Compact Guides to cities-- including Dublin and Edinburgh-- that I had high expectations for this one. But I was surprised to find that it didn't offer much more depth of coverage than the sections on the Peak District of the better guides to England or Britain as a whole (including Lonely Planet and the Rough Guide). Particularly disappointing were the assumption that users would be touring by car and the shortage of maps (one map covered most of the driving tours, with minimal detail).

To be more specific, I stayed in Bakewell, the headquarters of the Peak District National Park and walking distance to both Chatsworth and Haddon Hall. There was no layout map of this important town, nor any information on walks in the vicinity or the (remarkably good) bus network in the area. There was no box or special section to give extra coverage of Chatsworth, clearly one of the region's four- or five-star sights. Coverage of Buxton, the other place I stayed, was somewhat better; it included the book's only town map.

Users of the book seeking a car tour of the whole region might find it more satisfactory. But I think most could make do with general guides to England and more targeted local materials, such as walking maps, which are readily available in tourist offices when one arrives in the area.

Rely on this handy little book as you travel to one of the UK's most scenic areas. We return year after year to our favorite 400 year old B&B nestled in the heart of the Peak District,and this Guide has helped us discover many interesting out of the way places. It provides just the kind of pertinent background information that makes it a "must read" if England is in your travel plans. And, it's almost small enough to fit in your passport case!