Just wanted to get some recommendations on texts to bring to the UK when I go for my first time. Spending 3 weeks in January there, and I'd rather not spend them lost. Fodor's? Frommer's? Britrail Guide? (Britrail is the mode of trans I'll be taking) Of course, I'd prefer taking nothing at all so I'd have a light load, but I figured I should get some opinions from everyone first.

Doesn't Britrail give you a book when you purchase the tickets? Cannot remember...

"Britain by Britrail" ( I think the author's last name is Fergeson)is a book that I have taken with on all my trips to Britain, even when not using Britrail tickets but still doing some train travel. All sorts of usefule info in that book. I also take county guide & maybe a city guide for London. I my take a book from a different publisher each time I go. I just go to the travel section of the bookstore & look voer the ones I think will be the most helpful, buy it & bring it. I may also bring a small, thin map guide. I normally put the books in my carry-on luggage.

up up up

If I could take only one general guidebook, it would be the latest DK Britain Guide.<BR><BR>Have to ask...where are you getting your rail tickets? Reason: "Britrail" was once the name of the national rail system in Britain. There IS no Britrail now--trains are run by independent companies. The name "Britrail" is used by a travel agency (Travel Secrets, Inc) that sells rail tickets...with a mark-up, as do many agencies.<BR><BR>The point: there are alternative ways to obtain rail tickets--sometimes at much lower costs. Services like Qjump and The Train Line both sell cheaper advanced purchase tickets online (although they will not mail them to the US). It pays to compare the cost of tickets purchased this way versus Britrail passes or tickets purchased through "Britrail".<BR><BR>

If you plan to spend any time in London you MUST get a copy of London A to Z, a nice collection of street maps of all of London. Comes in various sizes. The one I like best is small and will fit in pants pocket. Even though I have been to London many times and know her streets well, I would never set out without my A to Z. Even native Londoners carry one for reference. It is really a must have.

I was considering just going to www.britrail.com to buy the rail passes. Since it'll be off-season, they have a 25% off discount. Are there still better places to purchase the passes? I'd really prefer it be sent to the US so I can have it before I go.<BR><BR>Also, how bout any reference guides for hotel and restaurant prices? Not just the major ones, but the "undiscovered" ones as well.

i think London A to Z is out of print. i'm not sure what else could be similar.

The A to Z is definitely still in print. It (in any of its various sizes) and an AA road atlas are the two musts for getting around London (A to Z) and driving anywhere else (atlas). <BR><BR>probably the best general guide book is the Michelin Green guide. It is small and very comprehensive (There are one general guide for Great Britain, one for London and several others for other parts of the UK) <BR><BR>As for accomodations - I go into any large US book staore and look for B&B guides with prices listed in &pound;. These are published by the AA, Stillwells and several other British companies. I avoid anything that has the prices listed in $.

Note for David: The nationalised railway system was never called Britrail, it was called British Rail and was never abbreviated, so there shouldn't be any confusion.

COMFORTABLE SHOES ARE A MUST. Even if it means wearing sneakers and carrying a nicer pair in a separate bag. My feet (and my husband's) gave out on our trip and I ended having to soak them and take aspirin every night. He is a marathon runner and I walk or bike at least 25 miles a week so it was not from being out of shape for the amount of walking you can expect to do.

our trains are a disgrace.. I will apologise in advance on behalf of our rail system - they are dirty and late. What about driving instead? we have a good network of motorways to get you there

i think this is the question that should be asked: let's take a vote. the green guide, frommer's, fodor's, insight, rough guide, dk's, or lonely planet? which is everybody's preference? (someone keep a running talley

Ashamed Brit, you have nothing to be ashamed of...come to the States and try to get anywhere on our lovely Amtrack....I love trains and would love to see a good national train service here but it will never happen. No support and what is left of our passenger service is quickly dying. Some good services on the east and west coast where lots of population but the rest of the country is poorly served.

ttt