Great BritainBest ways to improve this book: I would suggest adding some random sights in a section called random sites. There are a few places I would have driven right past if I did not already know about them. A couple of these places are the Wedgewood Factory, and other potteries, in Stoke-on-Trent and Balmoral Castle. I know they are not on the advised tour, but they are not too far off the beaten path either. Also, Inverness has many great B&B's across the river from the castle. The book only recommends those in a specific area. There is no reason to limit readers so much. The area I stayed was upper middle class and full of B&B's. Mark Walker in Turlock, CA USA 08/30/2008 The page detailing Britain's Best Three-Week Trip by Car has a stop at Oban, with the next stop shown as Edinburgh. (The text details driving into the Scottish Highlands and taking in Loch Ness) The map clearly shows the route passing through Inverness. To drive from Oban to Loch Ness and Inverness, then on to Edinburgh would take the best part of 18 hours!! I would suggest that to do that drive without a stop-over at Inverness could pose a serious threat to one's sanity!! John Reid, Ardconnel House in Inverness, Scotland, UK 08/27/2008 Include information on Canterbury, one of our favorite places of our trip Joan Anderson in Federal Way, WA USA 08/25/2008 Book just on Scotland Susan in Seattle, WA USA 07/26/2008 No suggestions. Thanks for making the paper thinner so the book is thinner. Bonnie in Tigard, or USA 07/11/2008 Please bind the book so that individual pages and sections can be removed without tearing but rather pull out neatly; e.g. Lonely Planet guide books work like that. To save weight and for ease of daily use I never take an entire guidebook with me; I carry with me only the sections I will need for the whole trip and then each day take only the relevant section with me. Theodore Jones in San Francisco, CA USA 06/30/2008 I love Rick's shows and books and am very pleased. Occasionally, it seemed information was not always consistent (e.g., some restaurants had price ranges, others not). Elizabeth in Minneapolis, MN USA 05/19/2008 The 2008 GB Guidebook was extremely useful, however the Cartref House, Ebury St., London, were we stayed was not listed and we found it delightful! Clean accommodations, good breakfasts, and a pleasant and helpful host. On another note, I'd love to see more info on Internet cafes and wifi hotspots in future issues.... Charles Matthews in Nashua, NH USA 05/13/2008 Expand the areas to visit, don't assume everyone just wants to do your 3week circuit. Include 'off beat' museums and more scenic areas. Brenda in village of Gwernymynydd, Wales 11/01/2007 We just returned yesterday from 10 days in south Wales and the Cotswolds. Most of the prices in the Great Britain 2007 book are about 10% too low. Plus, the exchange rate is so bad that you really need to plan to spend a lot more than you would imagine from reading the book. S. Scruggs in Longmont, CO USA 10/18/2007 I was very disappointed at the short shrift given to Scotland. I think it deserves an entire book, as many entire parts of the country are not included in your book. Maureen O'Brien in Lakewood, CO USA 10/05/2007 I like the "London at a Glance" table (page 70-71 of the 2007 edition), but you should also include the page number so it's easier to find the full site description. It would make it a lot easier to navigate the London section since it's 100+ pages. Joanne in Fong, CA USA 10/04/2007 Several Maps could be made more accurate. Specifically, the map to Stone Henge and Avesbury and the map of Keswick. Alan Leiserson in Nashville, TN USA 09/13/2007 We used the Great Britain 2006 guide book extensively last June and it was a great help and resource. The only time it wasn't was when we wanted to go to Portsmouth to visit Nelson's ship, HMS Victory. There was nothing at all about the area in the book so we used the internet and Britrail for info to get there. It's a wonderful place to go for familiies as well as adults. You can tour the ship and also the Mary Rose which is a current archeological project. There are 3 museums, all of them worth visiting. The train station is right by the Information Center and you can take a boat cruise from there as well around the harbor. Everything is within walking distance of the station and you can take local buses to see the sights in the town, i.e. the Cathedral. There is also a very nice pub/restaurant across from the train station, unfortunately I've forgotten the name of it. At any rate it's very worthwhile checking this area out and including it in your future books. [Editor's Note: We include a chapter on Portsmouth in our Rick Steves' England guidebook. It is not in our Britain book as each of our books covers only the best 22 days in a country or region, in terms of what the average North American tourist would want to see on their first trip. So while Portsmouth makes the cut as one of the top 22 days in England, it does not make the top 22 when considering all of Britain: England, Wales, and Scotland. Yes, we realize Northern Ireland is part of Britain but for convenience, we cover it in our Ireland book.] Ann Martinez in Pasadena, CA USA 09/12/2007 Perhaps this has been addressed in the new beefed-up chapters on Scotland but nowhere in my guidebook or on the ETBD Web site did I find mention of the Rugby World Cup finals in Edinburgh. The huge match between Scotland and New Zealand is Sept. 23 this year, and I had such trouble reserving a room that weekend. One of the hotel owners finally filled me in on the big event. Might be worth mentioning in the holiday or festival listings. (And do let me know if I simply missed it.) [Editor's Note: We're sorry you had difficulty finding a place to stay. Sporting events often fill up European cities with fans and it can be hard for North Americans (including us!) to keep track of all of them. Often the host cities are not yet determined when we are researching our books, usually 9-12 months in advance. Although the Rugby World Cup was primarily in France in 2007, you are correct that two preliminary matches were played in Edinburgh on 9/18/07 and 9/23/07. The best way to find out about busy dates in any town is by asking B&B/hotel staff for advice when you first inquire about reservations, maybe even before you reserve your airfare. They should definitely know about upcoming sporting events, concerts, festivals, conventions, etc. that will fill up their rooms in the coming year.] Lauren Osborne Miller in Saint Paul, MN USA 09/12/2007 Just curious why your "Great Britain 2007" book talks about Cambridge, but not Oxford? [Editor's Note: See answer below dated 11/21/2006] John Parker in San Francisco, CA USA 07/31/2007 The book was fine but i often wished the "Great Britain Travel Map" had been a little more detailed especially in London. Joe Myers in SYLVANIA, OH USA 07/10/2007 To make it easier for your readers to be temporary locals, especially in places like London, what would help the most are maps that highlights the exact location of neighborhood business districts, in the same way that your book on Paris highlights that one quintessential Parisian street. When I visited Vancouver, B.C., a couple of years ago, the hotel gave me a map that had all of the neighborhood business districts highlighted in yellow, and that made it possible to target my wanderings, rather than simply relying on luck. I just got back from London, and it was just by luck that I discovered three or four cool neighborhoods just off the beaten path, where I could shop for records and books, or just hang out. And that's what really made my trip a success. When I moved to Portland, Oregon, last year, I found a book called "The Zinester's Guide to Portland," and it's a great little book you might want to check out for the way in which it's written and designed. It crams an incredible amount of information on how to be a local in Portland in a slim little book that can fit in a shirt pocket. A book like that on London would be the ideal solution for most tourists who obviously have just a limited amount of time to explore the city. Peter Apanel in Portland, OR USA 06/15/2007 I think it would be better to have separate guidebooks for people driving versus those taking public transportation, because the relevant information is so different. Peter Apanel in Portland, OR USA 06/13/2007 Books are great! Susan Saric in Orland Park, IL USA 05/16/2007 Update prices, opening times. Consider adding more info on London restaurants - could have used more help there. Also consider adding more info on the pluses/minuses of various parks. Marian in Seattle, WA USA 04/25/2007 Better maps, I'm sorry to say! Heidi Schwartz in Ocean, NJ USA 03/04/2007 Why is Oxford and its university not covered in 'Great Britain' guidebook? I was disappointed that any reference to Oxford was omitted. Please include coverage of Oxford and its university. Everything else is very well done. [Editor's Note: See answer in previous post.] Anne Pringle in Freeland, WA USA 03/01/2007 Hang on Rick, no trip to Oxford in your 22 day itinerary?! Stay at the classy Randolph Hotel or the tiny 17th century Bath Place Hotel. Climb the steps to the top of St Mary's church for the view, visit the gardens, chapels and cloisters of New College, Magdalen College, and so on. Walk through Christchurch Meadows to the Thames and on to the Botanical Garden. Eat organic food in the non-smoking cafe in the crypt of St Mary's, or pub food at The Turf Tavern, The Bear or the Lamb and Flag. Shop in the Covered Market. Have dinner at Browns. It's a no brainer! [Editor's Note: Oxford is included in Rick Steves' England guidebook. We do not include it in our Great Britain guidebook as Rick feels Cambridge offers a similar experience and we try to keep each book's suggested itinerary to 22 days or fewer.] Rupert Essinger in San Diego, CA USA 11/21/2006 Please include a reference to St. Mary's (Anglican) Cathedral in Edinburgh. Frederick C. Hill in Arlington Heights, Il USA 11/14/2006 We liked all your suggested B&B's, restaurants, and sights. We found the directions to all places very helpful. We particularly appreciated your including places to gain internet access. Bob Johnson in Bellevue, WA USA 11/11/2006 Include Shropshire and Herefordshire. They're a little more untouched than other parts of England. On second thought, maybe I like it that they're not overrun with tourists. :-) But they're fascinating parts of the country and so rich in history. Judy Masrud in Dallas, WI USA 10/29/2006 ADD this B&B to "SLEEPING" in Bath: Radnor Guest House, 9 Pulteney Terrace, Pulteney Road, Bath BA2 4HJ U.K. tel: 01225/316159 fax: 01225/319199 www.radnorguesthouse.co.uk Jane & Peter Briggs. We paid 60GBP for a Db last month (September). It's east of the river. Jill at the recommended Holly Villa was going to be closed, so she suggested Jane & Peter at the Radnor. A great find! Peter & Carrie Detwiler in Sacramento, CA USA 10/21/2006 Keep up the quality work. Perhaps mention more stops along some the recommended driving routes. Would love some info on Devon and Cornwall. Ken in Chandler, AZ USA 10/20/2006 Extremely helpful the way it is. Was recommended by friends. My wife & I are glad we found your book. If we had bought it before booking hotels through our vaction club, we would have used your recommendations for lodging so we would be closer in to each city's centre. Dave & Pat Archard in Daytona Beach, FL USA 10/16/2006 You should mention if the rail station or the bus station has lockers to store luggage for a few hours. This info would be handy for those stopping just for a few hours along the way. Chantal Jacques in Ottawa, On Canada 10/01/2006 We attempted to eat at La Bouchee Bistro Cafe in So. Kensington neighborhood in London, but when we found that it was a totally smoking restaurant, we left. We'd like to suggest that if a restaurant has no non-smoking sections, it be so noted. [Editor's Note: You'll be glad to know that the UK has enacted a smoking ban in pubs, restaurants, and other enclosed public places as of July 1, 2007. There is also a strict smoking ban in the Republic of Ireland.] Marge Boothe in Bellevue, WA USA 09/28/2006 don't pull punches. If a place is lousy, say so !! Write more in terms of VALUE rather than just price. Doug in Naperville, IL USA 09/20/2006 We have used your books when planning all of our trips and they have been accurate and useful. Darwyn Herbst in Longmont, CO USA 09/18/2006 Blenheim Palace is recommended from page 1 of Great Britain 2006. The directions focus on Oxford as the main connection. However, you have chosen not to include Oxford information, which puts one at a loss for a map to locate the train/bus stations, and possibly wanting to explore or find housing. A guide book on Great Britain should include a brief chapter on Oxford, even though, in your opinion, Cambridge is "the best" and "on a short trip visiting both...would be redundant". From reading guest feedback, I think others also disagree with your choice to omit Oxford. Actually, I don't care about either city--I just want to get to Blenheim! Thanks. [Editor's Note: We include a chapter on Oxford in Rick Steves' England. ] Susan in Nashville, TN USA 08/28/2006 Update prices more often. Otherwise, very good and practical advice. Karen Sandness in Minneapolis, MN USA 08/26/2006 Is there a way you could put driving directions all in one place or always at a certain place in the chapters. Jaunita Eichman in Wirtz, VA USA 08/26/2006 Better food recommendations. Moor cheers for Stonehenge. More coverage of what you might see and do during the Edingburgh festival season. We were there for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and saw a lot of shows and had a great time. The city is probably very different during the festival time, and so you might have a special section on it. This year they had a deal where most shows were 2-for-1 tickets during the first two days of the Fringe Festival, and we took advantage of that (and cheaper prices for shows in previews). That's something you should mention for the guidebook. Summers Henderson in Somverville, MA USA 08/18/2006 Remove the Elizabeth House recommendation for London! Kevin Stuart in Alexandria, VA USA 08/16/2006 Hard to improve on such a good book. Thanks for all of your work every year! Joel & Stacy in Emeryville, CA USA 08/13/2006 Can't think of anything. We found your book indispensable! Ellen Hirzy in Washington, DC United States 07/20/2006 I would warn people that some of the museums in London are not air conditioned. We saved the British Museum for afternoon in a 90 degree hot spell thinking it at least would have air and regretted it. Kelley Grant-Kelley in Pataskala, OH USA 07/18/2006 perforate (all) the book(s) Anathea Gordon in Los Angeles, Ca USA 07/15/2006 The Tower of London opened an hour later than stated in the book. Jay Campbell in Boiling Springs, SC USA 07/11/2006 We had trouble finding the Dalkeith Road B & Bs in Edinburgh because the streets change names so often. We were driving and it was hard to locate street signs (part of the brickwork even below eye level) at first and then it seemed like the street names changed. Luckily, the destination was worth the trouble! Laurie Larson in Wixom, MI USA 06/27/2006 Include more information on Scotland in general. I agree with an earlier feedback-poster who said that Scotland seems to get the short end of the stick in the Great Britain guidebook. Trish in Chapel Hill, NC USA 06/26/2006 An index of websites in the back would be most helpful. Also, I'd be interested in more coverage of even the places that aren't Rick's top picks (e.g. Oxford). If you are already planning on going there, it would be great to get Rick's opinions on what to see, where to stay, even with the realization that he would recommend Cambridge over Oxford. [Editor's Note: We include a chapter on Oxford in Rick Steves' England.] Rita in Seattle, WA USA 05/31/2006 Maybe broaden your London information. We stayed Bankside in the Southwark Rose Hotel (excellent!) and used the Lonely Planet guide much more for getting around than we had the entire trip. Siobhan Keleher in San Diego, CA USA 05/28/2006 Maps are sometimes difficult to interpret or inaccurately drawn. Peter Carss in Ottawa, ON Canada 05/19/2006 Overall, your books are always the most accurate and easy to use. Thanks for the step by step directions! Debra Conley in Cassville, GA USA 05/19/2006 If possible, please let readers know if children are accepted or if there are age restrictions. We had to skip the Lake District completely because we could not find any place that would accept a 3 year old. Also, parking was a problem at several places that listed parking as "available." We found that "available" means you have to find street parking yourself that may be 3 or 4 blocks away. It would be better clarified as: street parking available, car park nearby, or parking on site. Lisa Pizzuto Whittaker in Woodinville, WA USA 05/17/2006 More restaurants Catherine Nodar in Atlanta, GA USA 05/16/2006 Could you add a few more places near Heathrow? It really is convenient to stay here just for the night before an early flight. The Ibis only had rooms for one or two people. Thank you for your maps! They were time-savers and frustration reducers. It was great to drive into town, know where to park, and not have to search out a TI the minute we arrived. You were right on about so many things...Love the new pictures too! Thanks! Peggy Schnorr in Morgan Hill, CA USA 05/15/2006 would like to see a few more places like the one above listed in the books. the book has wonderful places and we do follow your recommendations. please add this one to the book h jean abels in columbus ohio, oh USA 05/12/2006 We went way over budget for food in England/Wales. We learned that since most pubs serve a heaping portion of fish & chips - one can cut your bill in half by sharing a dinner...with your partner. Also - I'd recommend trying the following English foods from TESCO's grocery store. "Chocolate hob nobs", "curly wirly's", and the traditional pasties Rick recommends. Also try "prawn flavored crisps" if you're daring. On a side note, their espresso was almost as good as what they serve in Italy! Also, if you're staying in B&B's always ask what will be served for breakfast. Tell them in advance if you do not need the full fare. Ie: if you only want eggs & toast - tell them in advance. They frown on Americans leaving massive amounts of food on their plate, but they won't always ask you in advance. Wendy in Denney, FL USA 04/30/2006 Keep prices updated. Thomas in San Jose, CA USA 04/25/2006 It would be very helpful if you provided some accommodation recommendations near the major airports (ie) Gatwick, as most flights back to the States are in the a.m. and if you stay in the city centers, you have to get up really early and make your way by taxi/train/underground to get to the airport on time. I stayed at the Gatwick Belmont House on the eve of my trip home and it was perfectly acceptable with free internet access and good pub fair all day long. (45 pounds for a single). Hosts were welcoming and they run a free shuttle to Gatwick all day which is reliable. Maria Strine in Cincinnati, Oh USA 04/15/2006 It would be helpful to do a better job of listing who does or does not accept children in their establishments, We are struggling to find places in the smaller towns that do Janis Randazzo in Tustin, ca USA 04/05/2006 Just wanted to add that our experience with Airden House was very positive (unlike the the contributor to the website.) Room was delightfully warm (could even dry our laundry) unlike other places we stayed, food was good, and little extras were provided (shoe shine kit, hair dryer, etc.) Bed was firm too - not saggy. Amy Alpine in Eau Claire, WI USA 04/05/2006 Southwest England. Loved Somerset (esp. Dunster) and Devon (cliffside Lynton w/ cog rail running straight down to coastal Lynmouth--Exmoor). Sonja Starr in Fort Wayne, IN USA 03/26/2006 How about a book dedicated to Scotland? Or at least more extensive coverage. Frances Taylor in San Francisco, CA USA 03/18/2006 I've used Rick's books for close to 20 years and am completely sold on his travel PHILOSOPHY. However, I have run into a fair number of people who, RS guide in hand, appear to be marching in lockstep from one mentioned site/sight/B&B/pub to the next. So, a suggestion: study the guidebooks---Rick's and others'---at home. And leave them there when you fly off on your adventure. Especially if you are going to the UK, you will be astonished at the volume of maps, books, pamphlets and other information available in even the most out-of-the way places; even 30 minutes spent chatting with virtually any pubkeeper will provide more thingstoseeanddo than one could possibly do in a 2- week trip. The books are great but much too limiting to be treated as sacred: if it's in Rick's book it's unlikely to be a back door any more. k-b in Seattle, WA USA 02/28/2006 Add Oxford. [Editor's Note: Oxford is covered in Rick Steves' England.] Jolene in Centuria, WI USA 02/17/2006 |
