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Can anyone let me know if there are any UK onine cryptic crossword sites - have found plenty that are "how to solve cryptics" but now need some practice. Also need info about crossword referece lists. Thanks

Poppy,

In Smiths and other bookshops you can find Big books of cryptics from the DT and Times (with the answers in the back too!). Bloomsbury do a nice (xmas presi?) collection of lists, anagram finder etc in a boxed set. No doubt others will give more advice but the beauty of the books is you tave them and a biro anywhere, no PC needed!

Royston

Further to Royston's comments and recommendations
Chambers Crossword Completer is ver useful for
a novice,and Chambers Dictionary is a must in
my opinion (for what that is worth!)
All good luck,
Jerry

Poppy,

Jerry mentions the Chambers (Complete and unabridged) and I agree it is invaluable. Mine is less than a year old and already falling to bits!

Regards

Royston

hi Poppy,
try the site below, it gives you links to a whole load of puzzle sites:

http://www.crossword-puzzles.co.uk/

My own site ( www.Cryptics.co.uk ) has free interactive and printable crosswords, a forum to discuss all things crossword related, a daily solving guide for the Telegraph cryptic and a links page to other crossword sites.

Boaz's daily explanations for the Telegraph crossowrd are excellent, especially for beginners and improvers.

I agree with Royston. The Big Books are terrific value, and although they don't explain answers you can always visit the forum for help. I prefer pen and paper to online; my Big Books have travelled the world! I find the Telegraph to be more purely cryptic: the Times' literary and Latin references leave me cold.

Thanks everyone for your advice. I will get cracking today. No doubt I will be back for help with solving the clues.