Where the distinctive voice of the guide comes most into its own is in the sections on the cultural life and the individual character of each place: take Liverpool, for instance. While we are enthusiastically persuaded that the Walker Art Gallery (on the splendidly preserved William Brown Street) is one of the finest regional galleries in the country (with an important collection of Italian and Flemish paintings, along with canvases by Degas, Cezanne and Matisse) and the river Mersey estuary is evocatively conjured up with its shining light, its fogs, its gulls and its mournful emptiness, we're still told about the city's contrast between grandeur and decay, along with a warning that Liverpool's economic collapse has given the whole city a sharp edge you do well not to explore. In fact, this unflinching approach almost always has the effect of making one even more keen to visit the cities discussed.

From Hadrian's Wall to the London Eye, it's all here, with a useful capacity to update the guidebook by visiting the Lonely Planet Web site for regular upgrades. An unmissable travel guide, for Brits and non-Brits alike. --Barry Forshaw

Aside from the above the articles in the book are comprehensive, informative, well written and often accompanied by maps (although these could be clearer). The guide lists hotels by category (budget, mid-range and top end) and usually gives a telephone number and website address for each. Restaurant and bars are also listed, together with a critique.

I think that this guide would be a good companion for a foreign visitor who is looking to spend a few weeks in the country, but is only of small use to British nationals. Since buying this guide I have bought Fodor's Great Britain 2006 - this has far fewer omissions and is the one I would take with me on a trip. It's still heavily aimed at the American market but as long as you can put up with that it is a better guide.


This is no good for indigenous people   April 4, 2002
 17 out of 27 found this review helpful

I read this book on the back of Reading Bill Bryson's "Notes from a Small Island" in the hope that it would be able to (as Bryson's book had) recommend me some places to visit in my own country. It was very disapponting in this respect - covering only the most touristy places and uncovering no little gems. This is probably a really good guide for people who are visiting Britain for a short time and want to concentrate on London and maybe one or two other major tourist traps - but for someone who really wants to get to know Britain it is worthless. This said, the guide to the English language at the back of the book is hilarious, albeit in no way comprehensive.