Britain is overpriced: Lonely Planet Guide

It may be one of the best overseas destinations,but Britain is "too pricey",says a guidebook.

It may be one of the best overseas destinations,but Britain is 8220;too pricey8221;,according to a leading guidebook which claims that the country8217;s hotels,restaurants and attractions are overpriced and lack quality.

The latest edition of the 8216;Lonely Planet Guide8217; says the country 8220;has had its day8221; and even natives can no longer afford to holiday at home; it found many destinations were 8220;overpriced or lacking in quality8221; and the tourist industry sometimes 8220;just doesn8217;t deliver8221;,the 8216;Daily Mail8217; reported.

The influential guide concedes that many parts of Great Britain are still 8220;great8221;,and that it is still one of the most fascinating places in the world to explore.

It said London had excellent restaurants with many free attractions for children,while Edinburgh was 8220;one of the world8217;s most fascinating cities8221; and Manchester was 8220;truly special8221;. But it said Britain may leave some holidaymakers regretting plans for a 8220;staycation8221;.

Overall,the guide said overseas visitors are the winners because they can take advantage of the weak pound.

David Else,author of the Great Britain guide,wrote: 8220;If you8217;re on a tight budget,there8217;s no getting away from it 8212; Britain ain8217;t cheap. Public transport,admission fees,restaurants and hotel rooms all tend to be expensive compared with their equivalents in other European countries.

8220;Everyone is looking harder to get more bang for their buck and a return to Great British value. There is no doubt that Britain is great.

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8220;In my opinion its history, scenery and people make it one of the most fascinating places in the world to explore.

However,if Brits feel they don8217;t get value for money with their staycation then they will look to go elsewhere in 2012.8221;

The guide also found that despite its good restaurants London also offered overpriced food.