Lonely Planet Britain (Paperback)

~ David Else (Author), Paul Bloomfield (Author), Nicky Crowther (Author), Fionn Davenport (Author), Abigail Hole (Author), Martin Hughes (Author), Alan Murphy (Author) "With three countries in one, Britain may seem like a strange set-up, so it's a good idea to start this book with some definitions of..." (more)
Key Phrases: beds per adult, great border abbeys, rooms per person, Getting There, National Express, Lake District (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

From Antarctica to Zimbabwe, if you're going there chances are Lonely Planet has been there first. With a pithy and matter-of-fact writing style, these guides are guaranteed to calm the nerves of first-time world travelers, while still listing off-the-beaten-path finds sure to thrill even the most jaded globetrotters. Lonely Planet has been perfecting its guidebooks for nearly 30 years and as a result, has the experience and know-how similar to an older sibling's "been there" advice. The original backpacker's bible, the LP series has recently widened its reach. While still giving insights for the low-budget traveler, the books now list a wide range of accommodations and itineraries for those with less time than money.

If England, Scotland, and Wales are on your itinerary, here's your complete guide to famous sights and intriguing, out-of-the-way places that are hard to find on your own. Lonely Planet's Britain provides 160 maps--including 12 color maps of London; useful notes on British history, literature, theater, film and music; accommodation and eating options for every budget; details on public transport, long-distance walks, cycling, and driving; and information on how to trace your ancestors. The book includes a Welsh language section and a guide to architecture, including a glossary of terms. Also included is information on travel to the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. --Kathryn True --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Nobody covers the world like Lonely Planet.' --New York Post, May 2004
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 976 pages
• Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications; 5th edition (March 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1740593383
• ISBN-13: 978-1740593380
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,148,874 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best All-Purpose Guide to Britain!, May 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Lonely Planet Britain (2nd ed) (Paperback)

I have traveled to England a dozen times and I own current editions of 12 different guidebooks. This is far and away the best. It has the most useful information in the easiest to use format. For one thing it has all the travel planning facts you need. In addition, the destinations are described with writing that is evocative, imaginative and accurate. The recommendations are reliable and I was never steered wrong in selecting lodgings and restaurants. Before I found this book, I had to combine three different books to get all the information that's included in this one. From a veteran traveler, I highly recommend the Lonely Planet guide.

42 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You're going to LOVE BRITAIN! , September 23, 2004

By	Richard R. Carlton (Ada, MI United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I've spent a year in England and have made >30 visits all together.

Here are my reviews of the best guides....to meet you r exact needs.....I hope these are helpful and that you have a great visit! I always gauge the quality of my visit by how much I remember a year later......this review is designed to help you get the guide that will be sure YOU remember your trip many years into the future. Travel Safe and enjoy yourself to the max!

Lonely Planet
Lonely Planet has City and Out To Eat Guides. They are all about the experience so they focus on doing, being, getting there, and this means they have the best detailed information, including both inexpensive and really spectacular restaurants and hotels, out-of-the-way places, weird things to see and do, the list is endless.

MapGuide
MapGuide is very easy to use and has the best location information for pubs, hotels, tourist attractions, museums, churches etc. that they manage to keep fairly up to date. It's great for teaching you how to use the underground and the double decker buses. The text sections are quick overviews, not reviews, but the strong suite here is brevity, not depth. I strongly recommend this for your first few times learning your way around the classic tourist sites and experiences. MapGuide is excellent as long as you are staying pretty much in the city centre. When you get to be an old London hand, remember that the classic Londoners guide will always be an A to Z (zed) map and guide. If you want to go a bit beyond the central core of the city (perhaps to Windsor, Hampton, or further away) you really need the proper AtoZ to be able to find exact routes and streets.

Time Out
The Time Out guides are very good. Easy reading, short reviews of restaurants, hotels, and other sites, with good public transport maps that go beyond the city centre. Many people who buy more than one guidebook end up liking this one best!

Blue Guides
Without doubt, the best of the walks guides.... the Blue Guide has been around since 1918 and has extremely well designed walks with lots of unique little side stops to hit on just about any interest you have. If you want to pick up the feel of the city, this is the best book to do that for you. This is one that you end up packing on your 10th trip, by which time it is well worn.

Michelin
Famous for their quality reviews, the Red Michelin Guides are for hotels & Restaurants, the Green Michelin Guides are for main tourist destinations. However, the English language Green guide is the one most people use and it has now been supplemented with hotel and restaurant information. These are the serious review guides as the famous Michelin ratings are issued via these books.

Let's Go
Let's Go is a great guide series that specializes in the niche interest details that turn a trip into a great and memorable experience. Started by and for college students, these guides are famous for the details provided by people who used the book the previous year. They continue to focus on providing a great experience inexpensively. If you want to know about the top restaurants, this is not for you (use Fodor's or Michelin). Let's Go does have a bewildering array of different guides though. Here's which is what:
Budget Guide is the main guide with incredibly detailed information and reviews on everything you can think of.
City Guide is just as intense but restricted to the single city.
PocketGuide is even smaller and features condensed information
MapGuide's are very good maps with public transportation and some other information (like museum hours, etc.)

Fodor's
Fodor's is the best selling guide among Americans. They have a bewildering array of different guides. Here's which is what:
The Gold Guide is the main book with good reviews of everything and lots of tours, walks, and just about everything else you could think of. It's not called the Gold guide for nothing though....it assumes you have money and are willing to spend it.
PocketGuide is designed for a quick first visit
UpCLOSE for independent travel that is cheap and well thought out
CityPack is a plastic pocket map with some guide information
Exploring is for cultural interests, lots of photos and designed to supplement the Gold guide

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gotta love LP, September 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Lonely Planet Britain (3rd ed) (Paperback)

I have bought Lonely Planet guidebooks for both Ireland and Britain and I have zero regrets in doing so. I simply could not have survived w/out it in Ireland and it did not disappoint for Britain either. It is a great overview guide and covers most everything w/some detail but leaves it to you to do the exploring. Also, what is best about the guides is the way they respect all budget levels. For me I really like this, because I found myself mixing between hostels, B&Bs, and ritzy hotels and the LP was a great guide for all of them. I'm thinking of France or Germany next and I am sure the LP will be my guide of choice.