Customer Reviews:
 Not enough ideas and insight July 28, 2008
Having bought this book on the back of the Rough Guides' reputation for informative and interesting writing, I was disappointed. The writer is inconsistent in the level of insight offered, varying from place to place.
There are some suggestions along the lines of "If you want to avoid the crowds then try...", but I found there to be a lack of ideas for each place. The suggestions that are present are listed in an uninteresting fashion, leaving me unsure how best I should spend my time in each place (and whether to visit it at all). At best, the level of subjective comment on each significant town is inconsistent.
There is a lot of good detail on bus numbers, eating places and other 'nitty-gritty' stuff. One car park suggestion was particularly helpful. Overall, though, this information is obtainable fairly easily elsewhere and I would have preferred a far more personal 'on the ground' insight into each place, which is harder to source unless you know someone else who's been there.
It's hard to see who this book is aimed at. If you already have a good idea where you want to stay and where you might visit, I don't think you'd find that this book adds much to your experience: I didn't. If you have no idea where to go or where to stay, I don't think this book will be the best either, for the reasons above. If you need travel details, then you have to decide whether it's worth 11.99 to have a less-than-comprehensive and poorly laid out list for selected places in the whole of Devon and Cornwall.
 I want my money back! June 5, 2005
10 out of 12 found this review helpful
I am a huge fan of the Rough Guide series. But this one was a major dissapointment. Terrible lack of detail - barely any maps and uninformative reviews.
 Good book - I wish it was more for English people November 20, 2004
16 out of 16 found this review helpful
I have this book and it's handy that it states about using public transport like trains and buses, BUT being as I reside in England and not the States. It can be rather confusing trying to work out the American equivalent to our pound. There are so many books on Cornwall; I would love to visit Cornwall. Alas Rough Guides is the nearest to tackling public transport, places to stay etc, most other books focus on the history. I don't mind history but it's doesn't help when you want to find out what the area's like e.g.: 'Cornish Dodge City', 'St Ives Hells Kitchen'.I will keep on using this book, but I wish there was British Rough Guides for natives. Thank you. :)
what a waste of money... September 21, 2001
132 out of 152 found this review helpful
I bought this book before spending a week's holiday driving with a friend round Cornwall, and returning to London through Devon. Unfortunately the book was a complete failure on a number of levels: a) very poor quality maps, and the fact that they were monochrome made them even more difficult to use b) insufficient listings of low-cost accomodation. We were looking for campsites, and in many areas this book listed only a single site. In reality, Cornwall is literally teaming with campsites, if only you know where to look. c) Dry, dull commentary. I don't know what age group this book is aimed at, but had previously been under the impression that 'Rough Guides' are aimed at a relatively youthful audience. However this book is tedious to read and contains far too many disparaging quotes about Cornwall by John Betjeman. All in all, I wouldn't recommend buying it.
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