Never suffer a dodgy pub meal again, 24 Oct 2008
As soon as the leaves start to fall it's time to get the new copy of the Good Pub Guide. Other reviewers have complained not much changes, but for me it's the small changes from year to year which are the pleasure. Which pubs are newly inserted, which ones are out?

If a pub you like isn't in there then why not submit a review (you can now do this on the web). The GPG team do take notice and you might even see your name in print in the 2010 edition...



Great but needs to be refreshed, 10 Oct 2008
If you do not own any pub guides, including previous editions of this one, I would recommend this one highly - it only includes pubs of a high standard (and doesn't just focus on the BEER) and covers the whole country with impressive breadth. Even the lucky dip pubs are usually the better pubs in town - I've rarely been disappointed by one.
BUT... if you own any of the previous few editions of the Good Pub Guide I see absolutely no point in buying this. It is slightly frustrating the way the Guide never changes much. This could be a signifier of good standards, but it isn't flexible enough. So many great pubs are not included (this edition has no place for The Flask in Highgate, one of the best pubs in north London) and yet year after year many of the same ones are, like that dubious Wetherspoons near parliament.
There are very few changes to the previous edition, and that includes the layout and paper stock, both looking a bit old fashioned now. The Good Food Guide underwent a radical revamp two editions back - it's time the Pub Guide did too.

Never suffer a dodgy pub meal again, 24 Oct 2008
As soon as the leaves start to fall it's time to get the new copy of the Good Pub Guide. Other reviewers have complained not much changes, but for me it's the small changes from year to year which are the pleasure. Which pubs are newly inserted, which ones are out?

If a pub you like isn't in there then why not submit a review (you can now do this on the web). The GPG team do take notice and you might even see your name in print in the 2010 edition...



Great but needs to be refreshed, 10 Oct 2008
If you do not own any pub guides, including previous editions of this one, I would recommend this one highly - it only includes pubs of a high standard (and doesn't just focus on the BEER) and covers the whole country with impressive breadth. Even the lucky dip pubs are usually the better pubs in town - I've rarely been disappointed by one.
BUT... if you own any of the previous few editions of the Good Pub Guide I see absolutely no point in buying this. It is slightly frustrating the way the Guide never changes much. This could be a signifier of good standards, but it isn't flexible enough. So many great pubs are not included (this edition has no place for The Flask in Highgate, one of the best pubs in north London) and yet year after year many of the same ones are, like that dubious Wetherspoons near parliament.
There are very few changes to the previous edition, and that includes the layout and paper stock, both looking a bit old fashioned now. The Good Food Guide underwent a radical revamp two editions back - it's time the Pub Guide did too.

Great travelling companion, 02 Jul 2008
I have had some wonderful days out with this book. It is highly recommended, an interesting often educational read with great photography.

Must Have!, 24 Oct 2007
If you appreciate the road less traveled by more than the usual tourist melting pot, this is a must have! I think the book is printed in photo paper all through out. It definitely feels so. The paper, layout and the print quality is very good. The content, even better. Brief descriptions and/or back ground of the amazing shot will make you want to go there all the more. I intend to tick my way all the way through this book! =)Buy it!!!!

Never suffer a dodgy pub meal again, 24 Oct 2008
As soon as the leaves start to fall it's time to get the new copy of the Good Pub Guide. Other reviewers have complained not much changes, but for me it's the small changes from year to year which are the pleasure. Which pubs are newly inserted, which ones are out?

If a pub you like isn't in there then why not submit a review (you can now do this on the web). The GPG team do take notice and you might even see your name in print in the 2010 edition...



Great but needs to be refreshed, 10 Oct 2008
If you do not own any pub guides, including previous editions of this one, I would recommend this one highly - it only includes pubs of a high standard (and doesn't just focus on the BEER) and covers the whole country with impressive breadth. Even the lucky dip pubs are usually the better pubs in town - I've rarely been disappointed by one.
BUT... if you own any of the previous few editions of the Good Pub Guide I see absolutely no point in buying this. It is slightly frustrating the way the Guide never changes much. This could be a signifier of good standards, but it isn't flexible enough. So many great pubs are not included (this edition has no place for The Flask in Highgate, one of the best pubs in north London) and yet year after year many of the same ones are, like that dubious Wetherspoons near parliament.
There are very few changes to the previous edition, and that includes the layout and paper stock, both looking a bit old fashioned now. The Good Food Guide underwent a radical revamp two editions back - it's time the Pub Guide did too.

Great travelling companion, 02 Jul 2008
I have had some wonderful days out with this book. It is highly recommended, an interesting often educational read with great photography.

Must Have!, 24 Oct 2007
If you appreciate the road less traveled by more than the usual tourist melting pot, this is a must have! I think the book is printed in photo paper all through out. It definitely feels so. The paper, layout and the print quality is very good. The content, even better. Brief descriptions and/or back ground of the amazing shot will make you want to go there all the more. I intend to tick my way all the way through this book! =)Buy it!!!!


Yet more errors, 19 Nov 2008
Along with G Meehan I find the errors irritating having found two more in the first 24 pages.
One is often repeated and may be considered trivial by many - the line from Gray's Elegy (page 18)
The lowing herd winds slowly o'er the lea,
True, several websites print this version but they may well be just
copies of other sites.
Reputable poetry sites and Oxford University's Gray archive print the version that also appears in the Oxford Book of English Verse:
The lowing herd wind slowly o'er the lea,

Yes, it does seem odd, but if that's what Gray wrote, that's what should appear.
The editors at the publishers, if not the author, should be capable of spotting this.

A far less trivial error is the statment on page 21 that Terry Pratchett was born in 1945.
If so,why did he and thousands of his fans wait until 2008 to celebrate his 60th birthday?
His being 63 all of a sudden is certainly something I never knew about England.
Haven't gone any further than page 24 but fear the worst if I do. With basic errors such as this how can we trust any statement in the book without looking it up?
Despite the celebrity commendations, think twice before buying.I'm thinking of returning it.



A compenium of the obscure and the quaint!, 06 Nov 2008

My wife and I bought this book as a gift for someone - and we've joked that we'll be borrowing it back soon so we can look at it again!

Divided into local areas, the book gives potted histories on towns and points out the local claims to fame - especially if they tend to be a bit weird! It's contains illustrations and is very well laid out. 'Local Celebrities' are detailed, though they often turn out to be sinister type!

In a nutshell: If you travel a lot in England then this is one of those great reads which can charge up your knowledge of the localities you visit. It's by learning about the history and unique aspects of England that make you appreciate it, and love it more. By capturing the quirkiness - it captures the spirit of the places featured. Other reviewers have mentioned inaccuracies in the book, this is a shame, and I hope that future editions iron out those mistakes - but never-the-less, it's still an entertaining, light-hearted, yet illuminating read.



Very interesting but a bit disappointed at first glance..., 18 Dec 2007
Just got this as a Christmas present for someone, and looking through, it makes a very interesting read, with lots of unusual and entertaining nuggets of information and facts. The illustrations are good too.

However I was a bit disappointed to find 3 mistakes in the space of as many pages when I looked at my own local area (Suffolk), which could have been corrected by anyone with Google and an extra 30 seconds to check each one... It was Sir Robert Watson-Watt who was instrumental in the development of RADAR at Bawdsey just before WW2 (not Robin), it's the River Deben (not Debden), and Grimston Hall is in Trimley St Martin (not the adjacent parish of Trimley St Mary). Which just makes me slightly question the veracity of the rest of the book. But it's still a good read, and probably the rest of it's all true!

Informative - obscure facts about England, 07 Aug 2006
What a great read . Loads of interesting,obscure & little known facts about England.
There is a section on each English county & some of the towns & cities therein. The book covers each county's "claims to fame" (many of which were unknown to me - really interesting & enlightening) along with other fascinating historical snippets.
Dip in & out or read straight through, either way it's an entertaining & informative book.
It's the kind of book they must get pub quiz questions from !!
As the previous reviewer points out,a really excellent stocking filler - real value & a true "find" .
Top quality.

This is what makes England so special, 03 Jan 2006
I found this book to be a brilliant stocking filler, a really good 'toilet' read. I flicked through it at first, searching for locations from my childhood and teens, such as places I had visited on family holidays, etc. However, after an initial trawl I read it over a period of about 36 hours. There is not a place in England that doesn't have some obscure fact related to it.

A bloody good book, highly recommended.

Never suffer a dodgy pub meal again, 24 Oct 2008
As soon as the leaves start to fall it's time to get the new copy of the Good Pub Guide. Other reviewers have complained not much changes, but for me it's the small changes from year to year which are the pleasure. Which pubs are newly inserted, which ones are out?

If a pub you like isn't in there then why not submit a review (you can now do this on the web). The GPG team do take notice and you might even see your name in print in the 2010 edition...



Great but needs to be refreshed, 10 Oct 2008
If you do not own any pub guides, including previous editions of this one, I would recommend this one highly - it only includes pubs of a high standard (and doesn't just focus on the BEER) and covers the whole country with impressive breadth. Even the lucky dip pubs are usually the better pubs in town - I've rarely been disappointed by one.
BUT... if you own any of the previous few editions of the Good Pub Guide I see absolutely no point in buying this. It is slightly frustrating the way the Guide never changes much. This could be a signifier of good standards, but it isn't flexible enough. So many great pubs are not included (this edition has no place for The Flask in Highgate, one of the best pubs in north London) and yet year after year many of the same ones are, like that dubious Wetherspoons near parliament.
There are very few changes to the previous edition, and that includes the layout and paper stock, both looking a bit old fashioned now. The Good Food Guide underwent a radical revamp two editions back - it's time the Pub Guide did too.

Great travelling companion, 02 Jul 2008
I have had some wonderful days out with this book. It is highly recommended, an interesting often educational read with great photography.

Must Have!, 24 Oct 2007
If you appreciate the road less traveled by more than the usual tourist melting pot, this is a must have! I think the book is printed in photo paper all through out. It definitely feels so. The paper, layout and the print quality is very good. The content, even better. Brief descriptions and/or back ground of the amazing shot will make you want to go there all the more. I intend to tick my way all the way through this book! =)Buy it!!!!


Yet more errors, 19 Nov 2008
Along with G Meehan I find the errors irritating having found two more in the first 24 pages.
One is often repeated and may be considered trivial by many - the line from Gray's Elegy (page 18)
The lowing herd winds slowly o'er the lea,
True, several websites print this version but they may well be just
copies of other sites.
Reputable poetry sites and Oxford University's Gray archive print the version that also appears in the Oxford Book of English Verse:
The lowing herd wind slowly o'er the lea,

Yes, it does seem odd, but if that's what Gray wrote, that's what should appear.
The editors at the publishers, if not the author, should be capable of spotting this.

A far less trivial error is the statment on page 21 that Terry Pratchett was born in 1945.
If so,why did he and thousands of his fans wait until 2008 to celebrate his 60th birthday?
His being 63 all of a sudden is certainly something I never knew about England.
Haven't gone any further than page 24 but fear the worst if I do. With basic errors such as this how can we trust any statement in the book without looking it up?
Despite the celebrity commendations, think twice before buying.I'm thinking of returning it.



A compenium of the obscure and the quaint!, 06 Nov 2008

My wife and I bought this book as a gift for someone - and we've joked that we'll be borrowing it back soon so we can look at it again!

Divided into local areas, the book gives potted histories on towns and points out the local claims to fame - especially if they tend to be a bit weird! It's contains illustrations and is very well laid out. 'Local Celebrities' are detailed, though they often turn out to be sinister type!

In a nutshell: If you travel a lot in England then this is one of those great reads which can charge up your knowledge of the localities you visit. It's by learning about the history and unique aspects of England that make you appreciate it, and love it more. By capturing the quirkiness - it captures the spirit of the places featured. Other reviewers have mentioned inaccuracies in the book, this is a shame, and I hope that future editions iron out those mistakes - but never-the-less, it's still an entertaining, light-hearted, yet illuminating read.



Very interesting but a bit disappointed at first glance..., 18 Dec 2007
Just got this as a Christmas present for someone, and looking through, it makes a very interesting read, with lots of unusual and entertaining nuggets of information and facts. The illustrations are good too.

However I was a bit disappointed to find 3 mistakes in the space of as many pages when I looked at my own local area (Suffolk), which could have been corrected by anyone with Google and an extra 30 seconds to check each one... It was Sir Robert Watson-Watt who was instrumental in the development of RADAR at Bawdsey just before WW2 (not Robin), it's the River Deben (not Debden), and Grimston Hall is in Trimley St Martin (not the adjacent parish of Trimley St Mary). Which just makes me slightly question the veracity of the rest of the book. But it's still a good read, and probably the rest of it's all true!

Informative - obscure facts about England, 07 Aug 2006
What a great read . Loads of interesting,obscure & little known facts about England.
There is a section on each English county & some of the towns & cities therein. The book covers each county's "claims to fame" (many of which were unknown to me - really interesting & enlightening) along with other fascinating historical snippets.
Dip in & out or read straight through, either way it's an entertaining & informative book.
It's the kind of book they must get pub quiz questions from !!
As the previous reviewer points out,a really excellent stocking filler - real value & a true "find" .
Top quality.

This is what makes England so special, 03 Jan 2006
I found this book to be a brilliant stocking filler, a really good 'toilet' read. I flicked through it at first, searching for locations from my childhood and teens, such as places I had visited on family holidays, etc. However, after an initial trawl I read it over a period of about 36 hours. There is not a place in England that doesn't have some obscure fact related to it.

A bloody good book, highly recommended.

Bit too much of the same, 11 Nov 2008
I found this quite funny, but a chapter or two - or make that an essay, really would be enough. After a while the ever samey tone and chippiness (which he tries to disguise but can't) starts to grate a bit.

In search of some northern soul, 25 Oct 2008
The North-South divide in Great Britain is the subject of this rather tongue-in-cheek travelogue by Northern journalist and broadcaster Stuart Maconie.

For non-Brits, the divide is not an exact line, but one which refers to the economic and cultural differences between southern England and the rest of the country, including Scotland. It involves many stereotypes, including the belief that Northerners are thick and Southerners are posh. Or, as Maconie, a Northerner transplanted to the South, puts it:

"Good or bad, 'the north' means something to all English people wherever they hail from. To people from London -- cheery costermonger, cravated fop or Shoreditch-based web designer on stupid scooter alike -- it means desolation, arctic temperatures, mushy peas, a cultural wasteland with limited shopping opportunities and populated by aggressive trolls. To northerners it means home, truth, beauty, valour, romance, warm and characterful people, real beer and decent chip shops. And in this we are undoubtedly biased, of course."

The enchantingly entitled Pies and Prejudice takes us on a wonderful tour of the North, with the erudite and charming Maconie as our host. Having watched Maconie on a many a TV show, I couldn't help but hear his Wigan accent as I read this book, which made the experience all the more enjoyable. (Indeed, I hope that at some point he turns it into a documentary series, as it would make fascinating viewing.)

As one would expect from a journalist who champions pop music, the book is littered with musical references, such as this:

"The Smiths' songs drip, like an evening drizzle off the Moors, with references to Manchester and its environs. Rusholme, Strangeways, Southern Cemetery, Whalley Range, the Holy Name Church. Morrissey has a video called Hulmerist, a wry reference to his childhood home. In an early interview, he said of his artistic self, 'I am forever chained to a disused railway line in Wigan'. While Thatcher, witchlike, cast the north into outer darkness, The Smiths' songs illuminated it anew with northern light and fireworks. We loved them for it."

But it's also clear that Maconie enjoys history and architecture and food, because these subjects are constantly referenced throughout as he makes his way across the country. Each chapter is littered with fascinating facts and figures and snippets of trivia, all delivered in the writer's trademark witty prose style, which is rather reminiscent of Bill Bryson.

His greatest skill, however, is bringing rather drab places to life. He has a certain knack of saying so much in just a few sentences, lovely thumbnail portraits, if you will.

"Where Bury Market excels, though, is food. In the new Fish Market you can gaze, slightly unnerved, at the dead, sightless eyes of row upon row of sea bass and snapper, mackerel and trout lying in state on funeral dais of crushed ice and parsley. The stalls are staffed by either blonde girls in full make-up who you just know are dying to get out that white coat and into their skimpy glad rags this weekend or cheery rubicund men holding up what look like conger eels and joshing in ribald style with housewives. All of them adhere to Maconie's first law of market trade: cheeriness is proportional to the gruesome nature of the wares being handled. The grislier the fare, the gayer the banter."

By the time I got to the last page I felt bereft: it was that same kind of sad feeling one experiences when a much-enjoyed holiday draws to a close. Having learnt so much about the northern regions of England in Maconie's company, I was itching to go out there and visit these places myself. Highly recommended, whether you are from North, South or somewhere else entirely!


Even a St. Helenian has to tip his hat to this pie-eater... , 18 Oct 2008
I'd read Stuart's "Cider with roadies" and quite enjoyed it but actually preferred Mark Radcliffe's somewhat similar "Showbusiness: The Diary of a Rock 'n' Roll Nobody". I held off reading this book because it all seemed a bit too obvious - and in many ways it is - it's a travelogue of the 'North', with Stuart's thoughts on the places he visits and of what it means to be a 'Northerner'. I started off being a bit annoyed by the many generalisations he makes but gradually I was won over and ended up being charmed and really liking the book. It's not a comprehensive gazetteer of every northern town but I think he covers most of the bases and many of the relevant issues (although coming from a similar area to him, his experience of the north is probably very similar to my own.)

I think his writing has improved a lot since "Cider with roadies", he isn't Bill Bryson yet (as a quote on the cover claims) but he's getting there.

I recently saw Stuart speaking about the book at the Cheltenham Literary Festival and he was excellent, funny and totally engaging. He also mentioned that he is currently working on a book about "Middle England", which sounds like it should be well worth reading.


A book of two halves, 09 Oct 2008
For the most part, this book is entertaining and witty. Maconie's enthusiam for his subject is contagious and the stuff you are learning is genuinely interesting. Then he stops writing about Lancashire and starts on Yorkshire.

I can't help but think that this book would have been better if Maconie had stuck to what he knows, ie: the west side of the Pennines. Quite how, for example, he can make various claims about 'professional Yorkshiremen' (a dying breed anyway) and deny the existence of the Lancastrian equivalent is an unforgivable oversight that kind of gives away where Maconie's loyalties lie. They are not called 'professional Lancastrians' as such, but how many 'professional Scousers' and 'professional Mancs' could we name? Is Stuart Maconie's beloved Peter Kay not a great example of a professional Lancastrian? There's nothing wrong with that, and while such matters don't ruin the book, there is a real difference in Pies and Prejudice between the writing about Cheshire and Lancashire and the writing about the rest of 'the North'.

That, and a few errors that half-decent any sub would have picked up, aside, the book largely does what it sets out to do: entertain. Southerners that aren't as touchy as this reviewer will probably enjoy it all the more too.

Entertaining and perceptive, 28 Aug 2008
This is a superb book; although it has the appearance of belonging to the recently emerged sub genre of humorous and slightly outrageous travel writing, it quickly become apparent that there's far more to it than that. Maconie takes us on a selective tour of the North of England, visiting both his old haunts and other key areas, such as Liverpool, Harrogate and other parts of Yorkshire. Along the way, there are recollections of various amusing personal incidents and a stock of good one-liners, but alongside these, there's a depth of historical, cultural, political and social information and analysis, which is both well researched and convincingly argued. Well worth reading.

Never suffer a dodgy pub meal again, 24 Oct 2008
As soon as the leaves start to fall it's time to get the new copy of the Good Pub Guide. Other reviewers have complained not much changes, but for me it's the small changes from year to year which are the pleasure. Which pubs are newly inserted, which ones are out?

If a pub you like isn't in there then why not submit a review (you can now do this on the web). The GPG team do take notice and you might even see your name in print in the 2010 edition...



Great but needs to be refreshed, 10 Oct 2008
If you do not own any pub guides, including previous editions of this one, I would recommend this one highly - it only includes pubs of a high standard (and doesn't just focus on the BEER) and covers the whole country with impressive breadth. Even the lucky dip pubs are usually the better pubs in town - I've rarely been disappointed by one.
BUT... if you own any of the previous few editions of the Good Pub Guide I see absolutely no point in buying this. It is slightly frustrating the way the Guide never changes much. This could be a signifier of good standards, but it isn't flexible enough. So many great pubs are not included (this edition has no place for The Flask in Highgate, one of the best pubs in north London) and yet year after year many of the same ones are, like that dubious Wetherspoons near parliament.
There are very few changes to the previous edition, and that includes the layout and paper stock, both looking a bit old fashioned now. The Good Food Guide underwent a radical revamp two editions back - it's time the Pub Guide did too.

Great travelling companion, 02 Jul 2008
I have had some wonderful days out with this book. It is highly recommended, an interesting often educational read with great photography.

Must Have!, 24 Oct 2007
If you appreciate the road less traveled by more than the usual tourist melting pot, this is a must have! I think the book is printed in photo paper all through out. It definitely feels so. The paper, layout and the print quality is very good. The content, even better. Brief descriptions and/or back ground of the amazing shot will make you want to go there all the more. I intend to tick my way all the way through this book! =)Buy it!!!!


Yet more errors, 19 Nov 2008
Along with G Meehan I find the errors irritating having found two more in the first 24 pages.
One is often repeated and may be considered trivial by many - the line from Gray's Elegy (page 18)
The lowing herd winds slowly o'er the lea,
True, several websites print this version but they may well be just
copies of other sites.
Reputable poetry sites and Oxford University's Gray archive print the version that also appears in the Oxford Book of English Verse:
The lowing herd wind slowly o'er the lea,

Yes, it does seem odd, but if that's what Gray wrote, that's what should appear.
The editors at the publishers, if not the author, should be capable of spotting this.

A far less trivial error is the statment on page 21 that Terry Pratchett was born in 1945.
If so,why did he and thousands of his fans wait until 2008 to celebrate his 60th birthday?
His being 63 all of a sudden is certainly something I never knew about England.
Haven't gone any further than page 24 but fear the worst if I do. With basic errors such as this how can we trust any statement in the book without looking it up?
Despite the celebrity commendations, think twice before buying.I'm thinking of returning it.



A compenium of the obscure and the quaint!, 06 Nov 2008

My wife and I bought this book as a gift for someone - and we've joked that we'll be borrowing it back soon so we can look at it again!

Divided into local areas, the book gives potted histories on towns and points out the local claims to fame - especially if they tend to be a bit weird! It's contains illustrations and is very well laid out. 'Local Celebrities' are detailed, though they often turn out to be sinister type!

In a nutshell: If you travel a lot in England then this is one of those great reads which can charge up your knowledge of the localities you visit. It's by learning about the history and unique aspects of England that make you appreciate it, and love it more. By capturing the quirkiness - it captures the spirit of the places featured. Other reviewers have mentioned inaccuracies in the book, this is a shame, and I hope that future editions iron out those mistakes - but never-the-less, it's still an entertaining, light-hearted, yet illuminating read.



Very interesting but a bit disappointed at first glance..., 18 Dec 2007
Just got this as a Christmas present for someone, and looking through, it makes a very interesting read, with lots of unusual and entertaining nuggets of information and facts. The illustrations are good too.

However I was a bit disappointed to find 3 mistakes in the space of as many pages when I looked at my own local area (Suffolk), which could have been corrected by anyone with Google and an extra 30 seconds to check each one... It was Sir Robert Watson-Watt who was instrumental in the development of RADAR at Bawdsey just before WW2 (not Robin), it's the River Deben (not Debden), and Grimston Hall is in Trimley St Martin (not the adjacent parish of Trimley St Mary). Which just makes me slightly question the veracity of the rest of the book. But it's still a good read, and probably the rest of it's all true!

Informative - obscure facts about England, 07 Aug 2006
What a great read . Loads of interesting,obscure & little known facts about England.
There is a section on each English county & some of the towns & cities therein. The book covers each county's "claims to fame" (many of which were unknown to me - really interesting & enlightening) along with other fascinating historical snippets.
Dip in & out or read straight through, either way it's an entertaining & informative book.
It's the kind of book they must get pub quiz questions from !!
As the previous reviewer points out,a really excellent stocking filler - real value & a true "find" .
Top quality.

This is what makes England so special, 03 Jan 2006
I found this book to be a brilliant stocking filler, a really good 'toilet' read. I flicked through it at first, searching for locations from my childhood and teens, such as places I had visited on family holidays, etc. However, after an initial trawl I read it over a period of about 36 hours. There is not a place in England that doesn't have some obscure fact related to it.

A bloody good book, highly recommended.

Bit too much of the same, 11 Nov 2008
I found this quite funny, but a chapter or two - or make that an essay, really would be enough. After a while the ever samey tone and chippiness (which he tries to disguise but can't) starts to grate a bit.

In search of some northern soul, 25 Oct 2008
The North-South divide in Great Britain is the subject of this rather tongue-in-cheek travelogue by Northern journalist and broadcaster Stuart Maconie.

For non-Brits, the divide is not an exact line, but one which refers to the economic and cultural differences between southern England and the rest of the country, including Scotland. It involves many stereotypes, including the belief that Northerners are thick and Southerners are posh. Or, as Maconie, a Northerner transplanted to the South, puts it:

"Good or bad, 'the north' means something to all English people wherever they hail from. To people from London -- cheery costermonger, cravated fop or Shoreditch-based web designer on stupid scooter alike -- it means desolation, arctic temperatures, mushy peas, a cultural wasteland with limited shopping opportunities and populated by aggressive trolls. To northerners it means home, truth, beauty, valour, romance, warm and characterful people, real beer and decent chip shops. And in this we are undoubtedly biased, of course."

The enchantingly entitled Pies and Prejudice takes us on a wonderful tour of the North, with the erudite and charming Maconie as our host. Having watched Maconie on a many a TV show, I couldn't help but hear his Wigan accent as I read this book, which made the experience all the more enjoyable. (Indeed, I hope that at some point he turns it into a documentary series, as it would make fascinating viewing.)

As one would expect from a journalist who champions pop music, the book is littered with musical references, such as this:

"The Smiths' songs drip, like an evening drizzle off the Moors, with references to Manchester and its environs. Rusholme, Strangeways, Southern Cemetery, Whalley Range, the Holy Name Church. Morrissey has a video called Hulmerist, a wry reference to his childhood home. In an early interview, he said of his artistic self, 'I am forever chained to a disused railway line in Wigan'. While Thatcher, witchlike, cast the north into outer darkness, The Smiths' songs illuminated it anew with northern light and fireworks. We loved them for it."

But it's also clear that Maconie enjoys history and architecture and food, because these subjects are constantly referenced throughout as he makes his way across the country. Each chapter is littered with fascinating facts and figures and snippets of trivia, all delivered in the writer's trademark witty prose style, which is rather reminiscent of Bill Bryson.

His greatest skill, however, is bringing rather drab places to life. He has a certain knack of saying so much in just a few sentences, lovely thumbnail portraits, if you will.

"Where Bury Market excels, though, is food. In the new Fish Market you can gaze, slightly unnerved, at the dead, sightless eyes of row upon row of sea bass and snapper, mackerel and trout lying in state on funeral dais of crushed ice and parsley. The stalls are staffed by either blonde girls in full make-up who you just know are dying to get out that white coat and into their skimpy glad rags this weekend or cheery rubicund men holding up what look like conger eels and joshing in ribald style with housewives. All of them adhere to Maconie's first law of market trade: cheeriness is proportional to the gruesome nature of the wares being handled. The grislier the fare, the gayer the banter."

By the time I got to the last page I felt bereft: it was that same kind of sad feeling one experiences when a much-enjoyed holiday draws to a close. Having learnt so much about the northern regions of England in Maconie's company, I was itching to go out there and visit these places myself. Highly recommended, whether you are from North, South or somewhere else entirely!


Even a St. Helenian has to tip his hat to this pie-eater... , 18 Oct 2008
I'd read Stuart's "Cider with roadies" and quite enjoyed it but actually preferred Mark Radcliffe's somewhat similar "Showbusiness: The Diary of a Rock 'n' Roll Nobody". I held off reading this book because it all seemed a bit too obvious - and in many ways it is - it's a travelogue of the 'North', with Stuart's thoughts on the places he visits and of what it means to be a 'Northerner'. I started off being a bit annoyed by the many generalisations he makes but gradually I was won over and ended up being charmed and really liking the book. It's not a comprehensive gazetteer of every northern town but I think he covers most of the bases and many of the relevant issues (although coming from a similar area to him, his experience of the north is probably very similar to my own.)

I think his writing has improved a lot since "Cider with roadies", he isn't Bill Bryson yet (as a quote on the cover claims) but he's getting there.

I recently saw Stuart speaking about the book at the Cheltenham Literary Festival and he was excellent, funny and totally engaging. He also mentioned that he is currently working on a book about "Middle England", which sounds like it should be well worth reading.


A book of two halves, 09 Oct 2008
For the most part, this book is entertaining and witty. Maconie's enthusiam for his subject is contagious and the stuff you are learning is genuinely interesting. Then he stops writing about Lancashire and starts on Yorkshire.

I can't help but think that this book would have been better if Maconie had stuck to what he knows, ie: the west side of the Pennines. Quite how, for example, he can make various claims about 'professional Yorkshiremen' (a dying breed anyway) and deny the existence of the Lancastrian equivalent is an unforgivable oversight that kind of gives away where Maconie's loyalties lie. They are not called 'professional Lancastrians' as such, but how many 'professional Scousers' and 'professional Mancs' could we name? Is Stuart Maconie's beloved Peter Kay not a great example of a professional Lancastrian? There's nothing wrong with that, and while such matters don't ruin the book, there is a real difference in Pies and Prejudice between the writing about Cheshire and Lancashire and the writing about the rest of 'the North'.

That, and a few errors that half-decent any sub would have picked up, aside, the book largely does what it sets out to do: entertain. Southerners that aren't as touchy as this reviewer will probably enjoy it all the more too.

Entertaining and perceptive, 28 Aug 2008
This is a superb book; although it has the appearance of belonging to the recently emerged sub genre of humorous and slightly outrageous travel writing, it quickly become apparent that there's far more to it than that. Maconie takes us on a selective tour of the North of England, visiting both his old haunts and other key areas, such as Liverpool, Harrogate and other parts of Yorkshire. Along the way, there are recollections of various amusing personal incidents and a stock of good one-liners, but alongside these, there's a depth of historical, cultural, political and social information and analysis, which is both well researched and convincingly argued. Well worth reading.

Absolutely essential, 07 Nov 2008
This series of books may well be on the expensive side but they are an essential purchase for anyone that enjoys walking in the Lakeland Fells.The Wainright's are rightly regarded as the pinnacle of books of their type and it is easy to see why.Beautifully illustrated by the author and with several different routes described for the many fells covered,this is by far the best set of books I have seen on the subject.
Some of the routes are a little out of date now but that doesn't really matter as you can still find your way round.Also,the seven books in the series are a very handy size for you to carry in your ruck sack or even your pocket.
If you aren't sure if you should spend this amount of money on this set the best thing that I can advise is that you do splash out.It really is worth it and you will consider it as money well spent.

Bargain Price, 03 Dec 2007
This is a brilliant boxed set, i managed to get this for under £45 which is incredible given the books individually are priced at £13 each !!

The attention to detail in these books are second to none - buy it now before the price goes back up !!

Brilliant - but you have a choice, 28 Aug 2007
These books are truly a Lakeland Companion. In the pages the author not only sets out the details of the fells (with scrupulous accuracy) but shares himself. And this is not in an intrusive way; indeed it is rare insight into the thinking of a middle-aged man of 40 plus years ago.

As guide books the series is second to none. They are brilliantly designed for use on the fells (in wind or rain they are so much easier than a map). They also are great pre and post holiday reading; as valuable for reminiscing as planning.

There is a weakness. They are out of date! Some of the changes do not matter a jot (everyone knows that the railway to Keswick is no more) but some could be significant - for example some paths have been re-routed and others have suffered erosion. Before buying consider whether the second edition (with revisions by Chris Jesty) is more appropriate for your needs.

A unique set of guidebooks for walkers., 29 Jul 2007
Wainwright's legacy to the fell walkers of the Lake District will be as popular in a hundred years from now as it is today, a decade after his demise. These seven wonderful books began in the 1950's as a labour of love which would take up most of Wainwright's leisure time over a period of over 12 years. He embarked on this venture without a thought of making a profit; the idea was simply to provide meticulous advice and information for walkers, set out in his own unique style. His attention to detail and gentle humour have reassured and entertained generations of walkers visiting this hallowed corner of our beautiful earth. Similarly people who are not fit enough to visit the highest mountains can relive past adventures by their own fireside on a cold winter's evening. So, my friend, feel inspired, splash out a little on these wonderful guidebooks, get out on the hills, and, as the great Wainwright himself said, watch where you are putting your feet. Your life will never be quite the same again.

Never suffer a dodgy pub meal again, 24 Oct 2008
As soon as the leaves start to fall it's time to get the new copy of the Good Pub Guide. Other reviewers have complained not much changes, but for me it's the small changes from year to year which are the pleasure. Which pubs are newly inserted, which ones are out?

If a pub you like isn't in there then why not submit a review (you can now do this on the web). The GPG team do take notice and you might even see your name in print in the 2010 edition...



Great but needs to be refreshed, 10 Oct 2008
If you do not own any pub guides, including previous editions of this one, I would recommend this one highly - it only includes pubs of a high standard (and doesn't just focus on the BEER) and covers the whole country with impressive breadth. Even the lucky dip pubs are usually the better pubs in town - I've rarely been disappointed by one.
BUT... if you own any of the previous few editions of the Good Pub Guide I see absolutely no point in buying this. It is slightly frustrating the way the Guide never changes much. This could be a signifier of good standards, but it isn't flexible enough. So many great pubs are not included (this edition has no place for The Flask in Highgate, one of the best pubs in north London) and yet year after year many of the same ones are, like that dubious Wetherspoons near parliament.
There are very few changes to the previous edition, and that includes the layout and paper stock, both looking a bit old fashioned now. The Good Food Guide underwent a radical revamp two editions back - it's time the Pub Guide did too.

Great travelling companion, 02 Jul 2008
I have had some wonderful days out with this book. It is highly recommended, an interesting often educational read with great photography.

Must Have!, 24 Oct 2007
If you appreciate the road less traveled by more than the usual tourist melting pot, this is a must have! I think the book is printed in photo paper all through out. It definitely feels so. The paper, layout and the print quality is very good. The content, even better. Brief descriptions and/or back ground of the amazing shot will make you want to go there all the more. I intend to tick my way all the way through this book! =)Buy it!!!!


Yet more errors, 19 Nov 2008
Along with G Meehan I find the errors irritating having found two more in the first 24 pages.
One is often repeated and may be considered trivial by many - the line from Gray's Elegy (page 18)
The lowing herd winds slowly o'er the lea,
True, several websites print this version but they may well be just
copies of other sites.
Reputable poetry sites and Oxford University's Gray archive print the version that also appears in the Oxford Book of English Verse:
The lowing herd wind slowly o'er the lea,

Yes, it does seem odd, but if that's what Gray wrote, that's what should appear.
The editors at the publishers, if not the author, should be capable of spotting this.

A far less trivial error is the statment on page 21 that Terry Pratchett was born in 1945.
If so,why did he and thousands of his fans wait until 2008 to celebrate his 60th birthday?
His being 63 all of a sudden is certainly something I never knew about England.
Haven't gone any further than page 24 but fear the worst if I do. With basic errors such as this how can we trust any statement in the book without looking it up?
Despite the celebrity commendations, think twice before buying.I'm thinking of returning it.



A compenium of the obscure and the quaint!, 06 Nov 2008

My wife and I bought this book as a gift for someone - and we've joked that we'll be borrowing it back soon so we can look at it again!

Divided into local areas, the book gives potted histories on towns and points out the local claims to fame - especially if they tend to be a bit weird! It's contains illustrations and is very well laid out. 'Local Celebrities' are detailed, though they often turn out to be sinister type!

In a nutshell: If you travel a lot in England then this is one of those great reads which can charge up your knowledge of the localities you visit. It's by learning about the history and unique aspects of England that make you appreciate it, and love it more. By capturing the quirkiness - it captures the spirit of the places featured. Other reviewers have mentioned inaccuracies in the book, this is a shame, and I hope that future editions iron out those mistakes - but never-the-less, it's still an entertaining, light-hearted, yet illuminating read.



Very interesting but a bit disappointed at first glance..., 18 Dec 2007
Just got this as a Christmas present for someone, and looking through, it makes a very interesting read, with lots of unusual and entertaining nuggets of information and facts. The illustrations are good too.

However I was a bit disappointed to find 3 mistakes in the space of as many pages when I looked at my own local area (Suffolk), which could have been corrected by anyone with Google and an extra 30 seconds to check each one... It was Sir Robert Watson-Watt who was instrumental in the development of RADAR at Bawdsey just before WW2 (not Robin), it's the River Deben (not Debden), and Grimston Hall is in Trimley St Martin (not the adjacent parish of Trimley St Mary). Which just makes me slightly question the veracity of the rest of the book. But it's still a good read, and probably the rest of it's all true!

Informative - obscure facts about England, 07 Aug 2006
What a great read . Loads of interesting,obscure & little known facts about England.
There is a section on each English county & some of the towns & cities therein. The book covers each county's "claims to fame" (many of which were unknown to me - really interesting & enlightening) along with other fascinating historical snippets.
Dip in & out or read straight through, either way it's an entertaining & informative book.
It's the kind of book they must get pub quiz questions from !!
As the previous reviewer points out,a really excellent stocking filler - real value & a true "find" .
Top quality.

This is what makes England so special, 03 Jan 2006
I found this book to be a brilliant stocking filler, a really good 'toilet' read. I flicked through it at first, searching for locations from my childhood and teens, such as places I had visited on family holidays, etc. However, after an initial trawl I read it over a period of about 36 hours. There is not a place in England that doesn't have some obscure fact related to it.

A bloody good book, highly recommended.

Bit too much of the same, 11 Nov 2008
I found this quite funny, but a chapter or two - or make that an essay, really would be enough. After a while the ever samey tone and chippiness (which he tries to disguise but can't) starts to grate a bit.

In search of some northern soul, 25 Oct 2008
The North-South divide in Great Britain is the subject of this rather tongue-in-cheek travelogue by Northern journalist and broadcaster Stuart Maconie.

For non-Brits, the divide is not an exact line, but one which refers to the economic and cultural differences between southern England and the rest of the country, including Scotland. It involves many stereotypes, including the belief that Northerners are thick and Southerners are posh. Or, as Maconie, a Northerner transplanted to the South, puts it:

"Good or bad, 'the north' means something to all English people wherever they hail from. To people from London -- cheery costermonger, cravated fop or Shoreditch-based web designer on stupid scooter alike -- it means desolation, arctic temperatures, mushy peas, a cultural wasteland with limited shopping opportunities and populated by aggressive trolls. To northerners it means home, truth, beauty, valour, romance, warm and characterful people, real beer and decent chip shops. And in this we are undoubtedly biased, of course."

The enchantingly entitled Pies and Prejudice takes us on a wonderful tour of the North, with the erudite and charming Maconie as our host. Having watched Maconie on a many a TV show, I couldn't help but hear his Wigan accent as I read this book, which made the experience all the more enjoyable. (Indeed, I hope that at some point he turns it into a documentary series, as it would make fascinating viewing.)

As one would expect from a journalist who champions pop music, the book is littered with musical references, such as this:

"The Smiths' songs drip, like an evening drizzle off the Moors, with references to Manchester and its environs. Rusholme, Strangeways, Southern Cemetery, Whalley Range, the Holy Name Church. Morrissey has a video called Hulmerist, a wry reference to his childhood home. In an early interview, he said of his artistic self, 'I am forever chained to a disused railway line in Wigan'. While Thatcher, witchlike, cast the north into outer darkness, The Smiths' songs illuminated it anew with northern light and fireworks. We loved them for it."

But it's also clear that Maconie enjoys history and architecture and food, because these subjects are constantly referenced throughout as he makes his way across the country. Each chapter is littered with fascinating facts and figures and snippets of trivia, all delivered in the writer's trademark witty prose style, which is rather reminiscent of Bill Bryson.

His greatest skill, however, is bringing rather drab places to life. He has a certain knack of saying so much in just a few sentences, lovely thumbnail portraits, if you will.

"Where Bury Market excels, though, is food. In the new Fish Market you can gaze, slightly unnerved, at the dead, sightless eyes of row upon row of sea bass and snapper, mackerel and trout lying in state on funeral dais of crushed ice and parsley. The stalls are staffed by either blonde girls in full make-up who you just know are dying to get out that white coat and into their skimpy glad rags this weekend or cheery rubicund men holding up what look like conger eels and joshing in ribald style with housewives. All of them adhere to Maconie's first law of market trade: cheeriness is proportional to the gruesome nature of the wares being handled. The grislier the fare, the gayer the banter."

By the time I got to the last page I felt bereft: it was that same kind of sad feeling one experiences when a much-enjoyed holiday draws to a close. Having learnt so much about the northern regions of England in Maconie's company, I was itching to go out there and visit these places myself. Highly recommended, whether you are from North, South or somewhere else entirely!


Even a St. Helenian has to tip his hat to this pie-eater... , 18 Oct 2008
I'd read Stuart's "Cider with roadies" and quite enjoyed it but actually preferred Mark Radcliffe's somewhat similar "Showbusiness: The Diary of a Rock 'n' Roll Nobody". I held off reading this book because it all seemed a bit too obvious - and in many ways it is - it's a travelogue of the 'North', with Stuart's thoughts on the places he visits and of what it means to be a 'Northerner'. I started off being a bit annoyed by the many generalisations he makes but gradually I was won over and ended up being charmed and really liking the book. It's not a comprehensive gazetteer of every northern town but I think he covers most of the bases and many of the relevant issues (although coming from a similar area to him, his experience of the north is probably very similar to my own.)

I think his writing has improved a lot since "Cider with roadies", he isn't Bill Bryson yet (as a quote on the cover claims) but he's getting there.

I recently saw Stuart speaking about the book at the Cheltenham Literary Festival and he was excellent, funny and totally engaging. He also mentioned that he is currently working on a book about "Middle England", which sounds like it should be well worth reading.


A book of two halves, 09 Oct 2008
For the most part, this book is entertaining and witty. Maconie's enthusiam for his subject is contagious and the stuff you are learning is genuinely interesting. Then he stops writing about Lancashire and starts on Yorkshire.

I can't help but think that this book would have been better if Maconie had stuck to what he knows, ie: the west side of the Pennines. Quite how, for example, he can make various claims about 'professional Yorkshiremen' (a dying breed anyway) and deny the existence of the Lancastrian equivalent is an unforgivable oversight that kind of gives away where Maconie's loyalties lie. They are not called 'professional Lancastrians' as such, but how many 'professional Scousers' and 'professional Mancs' could we name? Is Stuart Maconie's beloved Peter Kay not a great example of a professional Lancastrian? There's nothing wrong with that, and while such matters don't ruin the book, there is a real difference in Pies and Prejudice between the writing about Cheshire and Lancashire and the writing about the rest of 'the North'.

That, and a few errors that half-decent any sub would have picked up, aside, the book largely does what it sets out to do: entertain. Southerners that aren't as touchy as this reviewer will probably enjoy it all the more too.

Entertaining and perceptive, 28 Aug 2008
This is a superb book; although it has the appearance of belonging to the recently emerged sub genre of humorous and slightly outrageous travel writing, it quickly become apparent that there's far more to it than that. Maconie takes us on a selective tour of the North of England, visiting both his old haunts and other key areas, such as Liverpool, Harrogate and other parts of Yorkshire. Along the way, there are recollections of various amusing personal incidents and a stock of good one-liners, but alongside these, there's a depth of historical, cultural, political and social information and analysis, which is both well researched and convincingly argued. Well worth reading.

Absolutely essential, 07 Nov 2008
This series of books may well be on the expensive side but they are an essential purchase for anyone that enjoys walking in the Lakeland Fells.The Wainright's are rightly regarded as the pinnacle of books of their type and it is easy to see why.Beautifully illustrated by the author and with several different routes described for the many fells covered,this is by far the best set of books I have seen on the subject.
Some of the routes are a little out of date now but that doesn't really matter as you can still find your way round.Also,the seven books in the series are a very handy size for you to carry in your ruck sack or even your pocket.
If you aren't sure if you should spend this amount of money on this set the best thing that I can advise is that you do splash out.It really is worth it and you will consider it as money well spent.

Bargain Price, 03 Dec 2007
This is a brilliant boxed set, i managed to get this for under £45 which is incredible given the books individually are priced at £13 each !!

The attention to detail in these books are second to none - buy it now before the price goes back up !!

Brilliant - but you have a choice, 28 Aug 2007
These books are truly a Lakeland Companion. In the pages the author not only sets out the details of the fells (with scrupulous accuracy) but shares himself. And this is not in an intrusive way; indeed it is rare insight into the thinking of a middle-aged man of 40 plus years ago.

As guide books the series is second to none. They are brilliantly designed for use on the fells (in wind or rain they are so much easier than a map). They also are great pre and post holiday reading; as valuable for reminiscing as planning.

There is a weakness. They are out of date! Some of the changes do not matter a jot (everyone knows that the railway to Keswick is no more) but some could be significant - for example some paths have been re-routed and others have suffered erosion. Before buying consider whether the second edition (with revisions by Chris Jesty) is more appropriate for your needs.

A unique set of guidebooks for walkers., 29 Jul 2007
Wainwright's legacy to the fell walkers of the Lake District will be as popular in a hundred years from now as it is today, a decade after his demise. These seven wonderful books began in the 1950's as a labour of love which would take up most of Wainwright's leisure time over a period of over 12 years. He embarked on this venture without a thought of making a profit; the idea was simply to provide meticulous advice and information for walkers, set out in his own unique style. His attention to detail and gentle humour have reassured and entertained generations of walkers visiting this hallowed corner of our beautiful earth. Similarly people who are not fit enough to visit the highest mountains can relive past adventures by their own fireside on a cold winter's evening. So, my friend, feel inspired, splash out a little on these wonderful guidebooks, get out on the hills, and, as the great Wainwright himself said, watch where you are putting your feet. Your life will never be quite the same again.

Engrossing as ever, 13 Sep 2008
As usual this guide makes compulsive reading, if you're interested in good food. For the last two years there's been a greater use of colour printing and the whole appearance of the book is more attractive. It's inevitably weighted towards more populated areas with very few entries for far-flung places, where in truth one needs guidance even more. The Guide is limited by he fact that it is alerted to good places by recommendations from the general public to which it then sends inspectors. So, for example, an excellent eating place in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland will have a lesser chance of inclusion if a volunteer inspector is unavailable to travel and stay there (at their own expense) to do the inspection--most inspectors only get the meal reimbursed. In recent years the Guide's entries have been categorized by region rather than by an alphabetical list of towns/cities, which is fine if you know that, e.g., Salford would be under Greater Manchester--not so easy for parts of the UK that one isn't familiar with let alone for foreign visitors. There's an alphabetical list of restaurant names--it would be helpful to have a similarly ordered list for recommended restaurants by the name of the town or city. I think this Guide is the best of the bunch of Guides as the entries are not paid for by the establishments listed and there is a big input from the paying public.

Never suffer a dodgy pub meal again, 24 Oct 2008
As soon as the leaves start to fall it's time to get the new copy of the Good Pub Guide. Other reviewers have complained not much changes, but for me it's the small changes from year to year which are the pleasure. Which pubs are newly inserted, which ones are out?

If a pub you like isn't in there then why not submit a review (you can now do this on the web). The GPG team do take notice and you might even see your name in print in the 2010 edition...



Great but needs to be refreshed, 10 Oct 2008
If you do not own any pub guides, including previous editions of this one, I would recommend this one highly - it only includes pubs of a high standard (and doesn't just focus on the BEER) and covers the whole country with impressive breadth. Even the lucky dip pubs are usually the better pubs in town - I've rarely been disappointed by one.
BUT... if you own any of the previous few editions of the Good Pub Guide I see absolutely no point in buying this. It is slightly frustrating the way the Guide never changes much. This could be a signifier of good standards, but it isn't flexible enough. So many great pubs are not included (this edition has no place for The Flask in Highgate, one of the best pubs in north London) and yet year after year many of the same ones are, like that dubious Wetherspoons near parliament.
There are very few changes to the previous edition, and that includes the layout and paper stock, both looking a bit old fashioned now. The Good Food Guide underwent a radical revamp two editions back - it's time the Pub Guide did too.

Great travelling companion, 02 Jul 2008
I have had some wonderful days out with this book. It is highly recommended, an interesting often educational read with great photography.

Must Have!, 24 Oct 2007
If you appreciate the road less traveled by more than the usual tourist melting pot, this is a must have! I think the book is printed in photo paper all through out. It definitely feels so. The paper, layout and the print quality is very good. The content, even better. Brief descriptions and/or back ground of the amazing shot will make you want to go there all the more. I intend to tick my way all the way through this book! =)Buy it!!!!


Yet more errors, 19 Nov 2008
Along with G Meehan I find the errors irritating having found two more in the first 24 pages.
One is often repeated and may be considered trivial by many - the line from Gray's Elegy (page 18)
The lowing herd winds slowly o'er the lea,
True, several websites print this version but they may well be just
copies of other sites.
Reputable poetry sites and Oxford University's Gray archive print the version that also appears in the Oxford Book of English Verse:
The lowing herd wind slowly o'er the lea,

Yes, it does seem odd, but if that's what Gray wrote, that's what should appear.
The editors at the publishers, if not the author, should be capable of spotting this.

A far less trivial error is the statment on page 21 that Terry Pratchett was born in 1945.
If so,why did he and thousands of his fans wait until 2008 to celebrate his 60th birthday?
His being 63 all of a sudden is certainly something I never knew about England.
Haven't gone any further than page 24 but fear the worst if I do. With basic errors such as this how can we trust any statement in the book without looking it up?
Despite the celebrity commendations, think twice before buying.I'm thinking of returning it.



A compenium of the obscure and the quaint!, 06 Nov 2008

My wife and I bought this book as a gift for someone - and we've joked that we'll be borrowing it back soon so we can look at it again!

Divided into local areas, the book gives potted histories on towns and points out the local claims to fame - especially if they tend to be a bit weird! It's contains illustrations and is very well laid out. 'Local Celebrities' are detailed, though they often turn out to be sinister type!

In a nutshell: If you travel a lot in England then this is one of those great reads which can charge up your knowledge of the localities you visit. It's by learning about the history and unique aspects of England that make you appreciate it, and love it more. By capturing the quirkiness - it captures the spirit of the places featured. Other reviewers have mentioned inaccuracies in the book, this is a shame, and I hope that future editions iron out those mistakes - but never-the-less, it's still an entertaining, light-hearted, yet illuminating read.



Very interesting but a bit disappointed at first glance..., 18 Dec 2007
Just got this as a Christmas present for someone, and looking through, it makes a very interesting read, with lots of unusual and entertaining nuggets of information and facts. The illustrations are good too.

However I was a bit disappointed to find 3 mistakes in the space of as many pages when I looked at my own local area (Suffolk), which could have been corrected by anyone with Google and an extra 30 seconds to check each one... It was Sir Robert Watson-Watt who was instrumental in the development of RADAR at Bawdsey just before WW2 (not Robin), it's the River Deben (not Debden), and Grimston Hall is in Trimley St Martin (not the adjacent parish of Trimley St Mary). Which just makes me slightly question the veracity of the rest of the book. But it's still a good read, and probably the rest of it's all true!

Informative - obscure facts about England, 07 Aug 2006
What a great read . Loads of interesting,obscure & little known facts about England.
There is a section on each English county & some of the towns & cities therein. The book covers each county's "claims to fame" (many of which were unknown to me - really interesting & enlightening) along with other fascinating historical snippets.
Dip in & out or read straight through, either way it's an entertaining & informative book.
It's the kind of book they must get pub quiz questions from !!
As the previous reviewer points out,a really excellent stocking filler - real value & a true "find" .
Top quality.

This is what makes England so special, 03 Jan 2006
I found this book to be a brilliant stocking filler, a really good 'toilet' read. I flicked through it at first, searching for locations from my childhood and teens, such as places I had visited on family holidays, etc. However, after an initial trawl I read it over a period of about 36 hours. There is not a place in England that doesn't have some obscure fact related to it.

A bloody good book, highly recommended.

Bit too much of the same, 11 Nov 2008
I found this quite funny, but a chapter or two - or make that an essay, really would be enough. After a while the ever samey tone and chippiness (which he tries to disguise but can't) starts to grate a bit.

In search of some northern soul, 25 Oct 2008
The North-South divide in Great Britain is the subject of this rather tongue-in-cheek travelogue by Northern journalist and broadcaster Stuart Maconie.

For non-Brits, the divide is not an exact line, but one which refers to the economic and cultural differences between southern England and the rest of the country, including Scotland. It involves many stereotypes, including the belief that Northerners are thick and Southerners are posh. Or, as Maconie, a Northerner transplanted to the South, puts it:

"Good or bad, 'the north' means something to all English people wherever they hail from. To people from London -- cheery costermonger, cravated fop or Shoreditch-based web designer on stupid scooter alike -- it means desolation, arctic temperatures, mushy peas, a cultural wasteland with limited shopping opportunities and populated by aggressive trolls. To northerners it means home, truth, beauty, valour, romance, warm and characterful people, real beer and decent chip shops. And in this we are undoubtedly biased, of course."

The enchantingly entitled Pies and Prejudice takes us on a wonderful tour of the North, with the erudite and charming Maconie as our host. Having watched Maconie on a many a TV show, I couldn't help but hear his Wigan accent as I read this book, which made the experience all the more enjoyable. (Indeed, I hope that at some point he turns it into a documentary series, as it would make fascinating viewing.)

As one would expect from a journalist who champions pop music, the book is littered with musical references, such as this:

"The Smiths' songs drip, like an evening drizzle off the Moors, with references to Manchester and its environs. Rusholme, Strangeways, Southern Cemetery, Whalley Range, the Holy Name Church. Morrissey has a video called Hulmerist, a wry reference to his childhood home. In an early interview, he said of his artistic self, 'I am forever chained to a disused railway line in Wigan'. While Thatcher, witchlike, cast the north into outer darkness, The Smiths' songs illuminated it anew with northern light and fireworks. We loved them for it."

But it's also clear that Maconie enjoys history and architecture and food, because these subjects are constantly referenced throughout as he makes his way across the country. Each chapter is littered with fascinating facts and figures and snippets of trivia, all delivered in the writer's trademark witty prose style, which is rather reminiscent of Bill Bryson.

His greatest skill, however, is bringing rather drab places to life. He has a certain knack of saying so much in just a few sentences, lovely thumbnail portraits, if you will.

"Where Bury Market excels, though, is food. In the new Fish Market you can gaze, slightly unnerved, at the dead, sightless eyes of row upon row of sea bass and snapper, mackerel and trout lying in state on funeral dais of crushed ice and parsley. The stalls are staffed by either blonde girls in full make-up who you just know are dying to get out that white coat and into their skimpy glad rags this weekend or cheery rubicund men holding up what look like conger eels and joshing in ribald style with housewives. All of them adhere to Maconie's first law of market trade: cheeriness is proportional to the gruesome nature of the wares being handled. The grislier the fare, the gayer the banter."

By the time I got to the last page I felt bereft: it was that same kind of sad feeling one experiences when a much-enjoyed holiday draws to a close. Having learnt so much about the northern regions of England in Maconie's company, I was itching to go out there and visit these places myself. Highly recommended, whether you are from North, South or somewhere else entirely!


Even a St. Helenian has to tip his hat to this pie-eater... , 18 Oct 2008
I'd read Stuart's "Cider with roadies" and quite enjoyed it but actually preferred Mark Radcliffe's somewhat similar "Showbusiness: The Diary of a Rock 'n' Roll Nobody". I held off reading this book because it all seemed a bit too obvious - and in many ways it is - it's a travelogue of the 'North', with Stuart's thoughts on the places he visits and of what it means to be a 'Northerner'. I started off being a bit annoyed by the many generalisations he makes but gradually I was won over and ended up being charmed and really liking the book. It's not a comprehensive gazetteer of every northern town but I think he covers most of the bases and many of the relevant issues (although coming from a similar area to him, his experience of the north is probably very similar to my own.)

I think his writing has improved a lot since "Cider with roadies", he isn't Bill Bryson yet (as a quote on the cover claims) but he's getting there.

I recently saw Stuart speaking about the book at the Cheltenham Literary Festival and he was excellent, funny and totally engaging. He also mentioned that he is currently working on a book about "Middle England", which sounds like it should be well worth reading.


A book of two halves, 09 Oct 2008
For the most part, this book is entertaining and witty. Maconie's enthusiam for his subject is contagious and the stuff you are learning is genuinely interesting. Then he stops writing about Lancashire and starts on Yorkshire.

I can't help but think that this book would have been better if Maconie had stuck to what he knows, ie: the west side of the Pennines. Quite how, for example, he can make various claims about 'professional Yorkshiremen' (a dying breed anyway) and deny the existence of the Lancastrian equivalent is an unforgivable oversight that kind of gives away where Maconie's loyalties lie. They are not called 'professional Lancastrians' as such, but how many 'professional Scousers' and 'professional Mancs' could we name? Is Stuart Maconie's beloved Peter Kay not a great example of a professional Lancastrian? There's nothing wrong with that, and while such matters don't ruin the book, there is a real difference in Pies and Prejudice between the writing about Cheshire and Lancashire and the writing about the rest of 'the North'.

That, and a few errors that half-decent any sub would have picked up, aside, the book largely does what it sets out to do: entertain. Southerners that aren't as touchy as this reviewer will probably enjoy it all the more too.

Entertaining and perceptive, 28 Aug 2008
This is a superb book; although it has the appearance of belonging to the recently emerged sub genre of humorous and slightly outrageous travel writing, it quickly become apparent that there's far more to it than that. Maconie takes us on a selective tour of the North of England, visiting both his old haunts and other key areas, such as Liverpool, Harrogate and other parts of Yorkshire. Along the way, there are recollections of various amusing personal incidents and a stock of good one-liners, but alongside these, there's a depth of historical, cultural, political and social information and analysis, which is both well researched and convincingly argued. Well worth reading.

Absolutely essential, 07 Nov 2008
This series of books may well be on the expensive side but they are an essential purchase for anyone that enjoys walking in the Lakeland Fells.The Wainright's are rightly regarded as the pinnacle of books of their type and it is easy to see why.Beautifully illustrated by the author and with several different routes described for the many fells covered,this is by far the best set of books I have seen on the subject.
Some of the routes are a little out of date now but that doesn't really matter as you can still find your way round.Also,the seven books in the series are a very handy size for you to carry in your ruck sack or even your pocket.
If you aren't sure if you should spend this amount of money on this set the best thing that I can advise is that you do splash out.It really is worth it and you will consider it as money well spent.

Bargain Price, 03 Dec 2007
This is a brilliant boxed set, i managed to get this for under £45 which is incredible given the books individually are priced at £13 each !!

The attention to detail in these books are second to none - buy it now before the price goes back up !!

Brilliant - but you have a choice, 28 Aug 2007
These books are truly a Lakeland Companion. In the pages the author not only sets out the details of the fells (with scrupulous accuracy) but shares himself. And this is not in an intrusive way; indeed it is rare insight into the thinking of a middle-aged man of 40 plus years ago.

As guide books the series is second to none. They are brilliantly designed for use on the fells (in wind or rain they are so much easier than a map). They also are great pre and post holiday reading; as valuable for reminiscing as planning.

There is a weakness. They are out of date! Some of the changes do not matter a jot (everyone knows that the railway to Keswick is no more) but some could be significant - for example some paths have been re-routed and others have suffered erosion. Before buying consider whether the second edition (with revisions by Chris Jesty) is more appropriate for your needs.

A unique set of guidebooks for walkers., 29 Jul 2007
Wainwright's legacy to the fell walkers of the Lake District will be as popular in a hundred years from now as it is today, a decade after his demise. These seven wonderful books began in the 1950's as a labour of love which would take up most of Wainwright's leisure time over a period of over 12 years. He embarked on this venture without a thought of making a profit; the idea was simply to provide meticulous advice and information for walkers, set out in his own unique style. His attention to detail and gentle humour have reassured and entertained generations of walkers visiting this hallowed corner of our beautiful earth. Similarly people who are not fit enough to visit the highest mountains can relive past adventures by their own fireside on a cold winter's evening. So, my friend, feel inspired, splash out a little on these wonderful guidebooks, get out on the hills, and, as the great Wainwright himself said, watch where you are putting your feet. Your life will never be quite the same again.

Engrossing as ever, 13 Sep 2008
As usual this guide makes compulsive reading, if you're interested in good food. For the last two years there's been a greater use of colour printing and the whole appearance of the book is more attractive. It's inevitably weighted towards more populated areas with very few entries for far-flung places, where in truth one needs guidance even more. The Guide is limited by he fact that it is alerted to good places by recommendations from the general public to which it then sends inspectors. So, for example, an excellent eating place in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland will have a lesser chance of inclusion if a volunteer inspector is unavailable to travel and stay there (at their own expense) to do the inspection--most inspectors only get the meal reimbursed. In recent years the Guide's entries have been categorized by region rather than by an alphabetical list of towns/cities, which is fine if you know that, e.g., Salford would be under Greater Manchester--not so easy for parts of the UK that one isn't familiar with let alone for foreign visitors. There's an alphabetical list of restaurant names--it would be helpful to have a similarly ordered list for recommended restaurants by the name of the town or city. I think this Guide is the best of the bunch of Guides as the entries are not paid for by the establishments listed and there is a big input from the paying public.

Delightful book, 07 Sep 2008
This more than just a description of a museum. This is also a journey into the history of the natural sciences and a part biography as well. Well illustarted, Richard Fortey describes an institution that is trying hard (and succeeding if the new Darwin Centre is any guide)to move with the times, make science accesible to the public, yet has more going on behind the scenes than we could ever give credit.

Anyone who lives in or visits London should pay more than one visit to this marvelous place, and thanks to this book they will be well briefed as to what goes and has gone on there.

Marvellous stuff., 18 Mar 2008
Dry Store Room No.1 is a wonderful book that allows the reader an insight into the fascinating world of the Natural History Museum, London. In this book Mr Fortey tells us; not only about the exhibits, but also about the work behind them and the men and women who carried out this work. We learn about all sorts of things from the ghastly stenches of the pit where Whale carcasses are stripped of flesh to the curator who obsessively categorized everything including "string too short for further use".

The science parts can occasionally be a bit hard to understand but like another reviewer I see that as my lack of understanding not Mr Fortey's lack of clarity and besides what would life be if we didn't stretch ourselves once in a while.

I thoroughly recommend this for the sort of person who likes a behind the scenes look at life.

dry store room no.1, 17 Mar 2008
Richard Fortey writes as always with elegance, passion and lucidity that is a plesure to read. if I haave to re-read some of the 'science' it is because I am not a scientist not his lack of clarity. all his books are informative and enlarge our view of the world.


A boring book with an interesting title, 08 Mar 2008
A very boring and tedious book that should have been left on the shelves with the other unseen exhibits.

A joy to read, 08 Mar 2008
Once again, another good book from Fortey. His writing style is completely addictive and difficult to put down - if only he would write more!

Never suffer a dodgy pub meal again, 24 Oct 2008
As soon as the leaves start to fall it's time to get the new copy of the Good Pub Guide. Other reviewers have complained not much changes, but for me it's the small changes from year to year which are the pleasure. Which pubs are newly inserted, which ones are out?

If a pub you like isn't in there then why not submit a review (you can now do this on the web). The GPG team do take notice and you might even see your name in print in the 2010 edition...



Great but needs to be refreshed, 10 Oct 2008
If you do not own any pub guides, including previous editions of this one, I would recommend this one highly - it only includes pubs of a high standard (and doesn't just focus on the BEER) and covers the whole country with impressive breadth. Even the lucky dip pubs are usually the better pubs in town - I've rarely been disappointed by one.
BUT... if you own any of the previous few editions of the Good Pub Guide I see absolutely no point in buying this. It is slightly frustrating the way the Guide never changes much. This could be a signifier of good standards, but it isn't flexible enough. So many great pubs are not included (this edition has no place for The Flask in Highgate, one of the best pubs in north London) and yet year after year many of the same ones are, like that dubious Wetherspoons near parliament.
There are very few changes to the previous edition, and that includes the layout and paper stock, both looking a bit old fashioned now. The Good Food Guide underwent a radical revamp two editions back - it's time the Pub Guide did too.

Great travelling companion, 02 Jul 2008
I have had some wonderful days out with this book. It is highly recommended, an interesting often educational read with great photography.

Must Have!, 24 Oct 2007
If you appreciate the road less traveled by more than the usual tourist melting pot, this is a must have! I think the book is printed in photo paper all through out. It definitely feels so. The paper, layout and the print quality is very good. The content, even better. Brief descriptions and/or back ground of the amazing shot will make you want to go there all the more. I intend to tick my way all the way through this book! =)Buy it!!!!


Yet more errors, 19 Nov 2008
Along with G Meehan I find the errors irritating having found two more in the first 24 pages.
One is often repeated and may be considered trivial by many - the line from Gray's Elegy (page 18)
The lowing herd winds slowly o'er the lea,
True, several websites print this version but they may well be just
copies of other sites.
Reputable poetry sites and Oxford University's Gray archive print the version that also appears in the Oxford Book of English Verse:
The lowing herd wind slowly o'er the lea,

Yes, it does seem odd, but if that's what Gray wrote, that's what should appear.
The editors at the publishers, if not the author, should be capable of spotting this.

A far less trivial error is the statment on page 21 that Terry Pratchett was born in 1945.
If so,why did he and thousands of his fans wait until 2008 to celebrate his 60th birthday?
His being 63 all of a sudden is certainly something I never knew about England.
Haven't gone any further than page 24 but fear the worst if I do. With basic errors such as this how can we trust any statement in the book without looking it up?
Despite the celebrity commendations, think twice before buying.I'm thinking of returning it.



A compenium of the obscure and the quaint!, 06 Nov 2008

My wife and I bought this book as a gift for someone - and we've joked that we'll be borrowing it back soon so we can look at it again!

Divided into local areas, the book gives potted histories on towns and points out the local claims to fame - especially if they tend to be a bit weird! It's contains illustrations and is very well laid out. 'Local Celebrities' are detailed, though they often turn out to be sinister type!

In a nutshell: If you travel a lot in England then this is one of those great reads which can charge up your knowledge of the localities you visit. It's by learning about the history and unique aspects of England that make you appreciate it, and love it more. By capturing the quirkiness - it captures the spirit of the places featured. Other reviewers have mentioned inaccuracies in the book, this is a shame, and I hope that future editions iron out those mistakes - but never-the-less, it's still an entertaining, light-hearted, yet illuminating read.



Very interesting but a bit disappointed at first glance..., 18 Dec 2007
Just got this as a Christmas present for someone, and looking through, it makes a very interesting read, with lots of unusual and entertaining nuggets of information and facts. The illustrations are good too.

However I was a bit disappointed to find 3 mistakes in the space of as many pages when I looked at my own local area (Suffolk), which could have been corrected by anyone with Google and an extra 30 seconds to check each one... It was Sir Robert Watson-Watt who was instrumental in the development of RADAR at Bawdsey just before WW2 (not Robin), it's the River Deben (not Debden), and Grimston Hall is in Trimley St Martin (not the adjacent parish of Trimley St Mary). Which just makes me slightly question the veracity of the rest of the book. But it's still a good read, and probably the rest of it's all true!

Informative - obscure facts about England, 07 Aug 2006
What a great read . Loads of interesting,obscure & little known facts about England.
There is a section on each English county & some of the towns & cities therein. The book covers each county's "claims to fame" (many of which were unknown to me - really interesting & enlightening) along with other fascinating historical snippets.
Dip in & out or read straight through, either way it's an entertaining & informative book.
It's the kind of book they must get pub quiz questions from !!
As the previous reviewer points out,a really excellent stocking filler - real value & a true "find" .
Top quality.

This is what makes England so special, 03 Jan 2006
I found this book to be a brilliant stocking filler, a really good 'toilet' read. I flicked through it at first, searching for locations from my childhood and teens, such as places I had visited on family holidays, etc. However, after an initial trawl I read it over a period of about 36 hours. There is not a place in England that doesn't have some obscure fact related to it.

A bloody good book, highly recommended.

Bit too much of the same, 11 Nov 2008
I found this quite funny, but a chapter or two - or make that an essay, really would be enough. After a while the ever samey tone and chippiness (which he tries to disguise but can't) starts to grate a bit.

In search of some northern soul, 25 Oct 2008
The North-South divide in Great Britain is the subject of this rather tongue-in-cheek travelogue by Northern journalist and broadcaster Stuart Maconie.

For non-Brits, the divide is not an exact line, but one which refers to the economic and cultural differences between southern England and the rest of the country, including Scotland. It involves many stereotypes, including the belief that Northerners are thick and Southerners are posh. Or, as Maconie, a Northerner transplanted to the South, puts it:

"Good or bad, 'the north' means something to all English people wherever they hail from. To people from London -- cheery costermonger, cravated fop or Shoreditch-based web designer on stupid scooter alike -- it means desolation, arctic temperatures, mushy peas, a cultural wasteland with limited shopping opportunities and populated by aggressive trolls. To northerners it means home, truth, beauty, valour, romance, warm and characterful people, real beer and decent chip shops. And in this we are undoubtedly biased, of course."

The enchantingly entitled Pies and Prejudice takes us on a wonderful tour of the North, with the erudite and charming Maconie as our host. Having watched Maconie on a many a TV show, I couldn't help but hear his Wigan accent as I read this book, which made the experience all the more enjoyable. (Indeed, I hope that at some point he turns it into a documentary series,