London: A Guide for Curious Wanderers: THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

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Overall I think this is a brilliant book, and is not only handy if you’re planning on going for a stroll around London, but also if you simply want to learn some interesting facts and know more about the city’s history. I, for one, am about to annoy my friends and family to no-end with all my new knowledge, and would quite like to book a trip down to London, specifically to see the tiny cheese and mice sculpture on Philpot Lane. I started this blog to share my journey discovering London’s fascinating past, by walking its bustling grand streets, diving down its mysterious alleyways and strolling along the banks of the Thames. I believe that the city itself is the greatest and most interesting museum of all. But this does suitably look up, down and sideways, while encouraging us to do the same. Here are signs still existing to WW2 air raid shelters, ancient statues, and so much more. We get several urban myths dismissed (such as equine feet on statuary, for one), and all told there is enough here to guarantee its worth. (I wish I'd known about the very early Tube map the last time I was around Temple.) Ongoing Covid restrictions, reduced air and freight capacity, high volumes and winter weather conditions are all impacting transportation and local delivery across the globe.

There are two versions of this book on Goodreads that I cannot combine...hopefully it will be remedied soon by the request that I put through to their librarians. This richly detailed and beautifully illustratedbook provides a miscellany of historic features and curiosities to spot as you wander around the capital. Whether you've always wondered why there are cattle troughs on your route to work, why bollards often look like upside down cannons orwanted to know what a Victorian stink pipe is this book will provide the tools to decipherLondon's secret code, and introduce you to a treasure trove of hidden spots to explore. London is famous for its museums, each one full of treasures and relics - but the biggest museum in the capital is the city itself. From the stories behind unusual street names, to the trees in our parks; railings made from recycled WWII stretchers, to shrapnel damage on walls; the hidden symbols on post boxes, to prehistoric tree trunks - there is a rich history hidden in the oft-overlooked details of the city's streets, gardens, parks and buildings. London is famous for its museums, each one full of treasures and relics but the biggest museum in the capital is the city itself. From the stories behind unusual street names, to the trees in our parks; railings made from recycled WWII stretchers, to shrapnel damage on walls; the hidden symbols on post boxes, to prehistoric tree trunks there is a rich history hidden in the oft-overlooked details of the citys streets, gardens, parks and buildings.

Readers are offered four walks through London. The first goes from Tower Hill Station to Liverpool Street Station. Next is Tottenham Court Road Station to Trafalgar Square. Third is London Bridge Station to Borough Station. Finally, there is a walk from Westminster Station to Berkeley Square. See London in a completely new light in this guide to the city's hidden secrets, untold stories and special places laden with history which you can discover for yourself! I will happily take this book with me on my next visit and plan to follow some of the walking guides included. Having seen the creator of this book as someone's guest on youtube I knew it would not be too shoddy, but I didn't expect it to be on the slight and gentle side I at first felt it to be. The first chapter, taking us almost to the one-third mark, concerns a walk through London's architectural history, from the Roman flooring and Norman arches that are so close geographically if not temporally to buildings designed by a chap who passed away as this was readied for publication that could melt cars parked beneath them. London is famous for its museums, each one full of treasures and relics – but the biggest museum in the capital is the city itself. From the stories behind unusual street names to the trees in our parks; railings made from recycled WWII stretchers to shrapnel damage on walls; the hidden symbols on post boxes, to prehistoric tree trunks – there is a rich history hidden in the oft-overlooked details of the city's streets, gardens, parks and buildings.

If you want to know where to find street furniture, Roman remains, hidden rivers, or stink pipes (yes, really!) - basically anything that tells a story of the capital's past, this is definitely a book to have in your collection. The text itself provides just the right introduction to each spot covered, whetting many an appetite (or at least my own--can I book a flight?). The author brilliantly intersperses some walks throughout, as well--which I would absolutely avail myself of were I a tad bit closer. This was a great way to get a birds-eye view of London and its rich history, art, and architecture. In the introduction, the author states that he wants to show explorers lots of hidden corners. He also want to provide an “ability to read London.” Sounds good. It is my guide to London’s often overlooked little details, quirks and oddities. From bollards that are actually upended cannon and evidence of London’s lost rivers, to the stories behind some of the city’s best street names and what a ‘snob’ screen is, it is a miscellany of London and how to read the city’s streets.London is famous for its museums, each one full of treasures and relics – but the biggest museum in the capital is the city itself. From the stories behind unusual street names, to the trees in our parks; railings made from recycled WWII stretchers, to shrapnel damage on walls; the hidden symbols on post boxes, to prehistoric tree trunks – there is a rich history hidden in the oft-overlooked details of the city's streets, gardens, parks and buildings. See London in a completely new light inthis guide to the city's hidden secrets,untold stories andspecial places laden with history which you can discover for yourself! There are some beautiful illustrations throughout the book, highlighting some of the interesting signs, buildings, and statues, ect, that can be found around the Capital, but I found myself scrambling for my phone to look up every other object that wasn’t given a visual - I just had to know what it looked like! However, I understand that the book would have felt crowded if there were illustrations for each curiosity. London is famous for its museums, each one full of treasures and relics – but the biggest museum in the capital is the city itself. From the stories behind unusual street names, to the trees in our parks; railings made from recycled WWII stretchers, to shrapnel damage on walls; the hidden symbols on post boxes, to prehistoric tree trunks – there is a rich history hidden in the oft-overlooked details of the city's streets, gardens, parks and buildings. This richly detailed and beautifully illustrated book provides a miscellany of historic features and curiosities to spot as you wander around the capital. Whether you’ve always wondered why there are cattle troughs on your route to work , why bollards often look like upside down cannons or wanted to know what a Victorian stink pipe is – this book will provide the tools to decipher London’s secret code, and introduce you to a treasure trove of hidden spots to explore.

In 2021 I took part in Open City’s Golden Key Academy guiding course and in October 2021 started running my guided walks of London’s hidden history. My walks focus on one area of London at a time, with the aim to uncover its stories, point out the little details many miss, really get under the city’s skin and ultimately share my passion for the city’s history.So, pop on a sturdy pair of shoes and get ready to turn the city into the museum you never knew you had. London: A Guide for Curious Wanderers is a great travel guide of London as well as a book that contains a wealth of information that many may not know about the City of London.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group-White Lion for the ARC – This is my honest review. This would be an ideal coffee table book and also good to have in e-book form to guide you around the capital, particularly if following any of the suggested walking maps. The items featured are random, quirky, and idiosyncratic representing virtually every era of London history. The featured items include architectural details, urban features, and easily overlooked evidence of historical events. The explanations are provided in text formatted like museum placards. Some examples include evidence of London bombings during WW2, London’s largest graffiti wall, London’s smallest sculpture, “Two Mice Eating Cheese,” and fossilized tree stumps thought to be millions of years old. Maps for four walks are also provided.I LOVE this book. It’s equal parts amazing coffee table book and practical guide. It’s full of interesting historical facts about London and contains beautiful illustrations. I wish there were more illustrations!