Michelin's Green Guides are very good, with helpful practical information, well-written sightseeing entries, and interesting suggested tours. There are some restaurant and hotel listings.
More recently updated than its full-size counterpart, this handy slender guide focuses on sightseeing and recommended walks & tours. Plenty of colour photographs throughout.
Somewhere between pocket guides and full-scale handbooks stands the Travellers series, offering reasonable introductory reading as well as plenty of suggested sights and tours. This Finnish volume is excellent.
Never intended as a practical companion, the slightly aged nature of this guide does not detract from its lush and inspiring charm, filled as it is with colour photographs and readable introductions to the country.
Geared for the short break, this lightweight companion steers you towards the best sights, with a few decent maps included as well as a cursory introduction to Finnish.
A charming range of hotels around England, the Channel Islands, Wales and Scotland, from the boutique, urban and stylish to the grand old country estate.
A vibrant guide to Great Britain with plenty of colour photographs, illustrations, aerial views and detailed cultural and historical information. A great sightseer's companion, but less useful on practical advice and listings for the traveller on a budget. Includes approximately 40 pages on Wales and 40 pages on Scotland.
A very detailed guide for anyone moving to Great Britain. Includes thorough sections on finding a job, permits and visas, accommodation, education and insurance.
An excellent walking guide for any standard, including some long distance recommendations. The 51 walks are arranged by region and have all the practical information you will need.
A practical guide to the highlights of the country, best for a budget visit. It's full of photographs with good introductory chapters too, plus a handy pull-out map.
A coffee-table style guide to the best of Britain's beaches. Great for researching a trip with wonderful photos, a description of the area, recommended places to stay and eat.
A slightly more selective guide than the Lonely Planet equivalent, with stronger cultural and historical information. A practical guide for the thinking-man on a budget. Includes approximately 125 pages on Wales and 250 pages on Scotland.
A wonderful range of bed and breakfasts for the traveller on any budget, listed by area and hand-picked for being independent, lovingly run, eccentric and extraordinary. A very interesting way to pick a place to stay.
A lovingly produced guide, with 100 walks across Great Britain listed by area, each with an enchanting hand drawn map with illustrations, a readable introduction and a list of all the practical information from distances to directions and recommended stopping places.
A great list of things to do for the tourist or the local which includes suggestions from laying flowers on Byron's grave, to bog snorkelling and mackerel fishing. It is not organised geographically which may be frustrating for some users.