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

Product Information

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. London is famous for its museums, each one full of treasures and relics – but the biggest museum in the capital is the city itself. I grew up in Essex and London has always been a fascinating and exhilarating place to me. I have also always had a passion for history. When I was younger my brothers would be taken to football matches at the weekends, I would be taken on day trips to the British museum. I am a big fan of museums and books but, even more so, I am interested in the tangible, liveable and breathable history we are surrounded by as we go about our everyday lives. 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.

So, pop on a sturdy pair of shoes and get ready to turn the city into the museum you never knew you had. About the AuthorIt is also beautifully illustrated by the brilliant Katharine Fraser and includes four self-guided maps to help you explore the city for yourself! 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.

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. The book comes complete with maps so you can spot these details yourselfon walks through the capital. 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. 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 citys hidden secrets,untold stories andspecial places laden with history which you can discover for yourself!

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.

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. I will happily take this book with me on my next visit and plan to follow some of the walking guides included.

Do you know what jetting is or a sedan chair? Do you know when ‘Egyptian mania’ affected London architecture? You can learn the interesting answers to these questions and more by reading this book. It’s full of unusual facts about London history and architecture. The illustrations are an absolute delight. This is a perfect book for people who live in London, and for tourists. However, tourists may not have the time to explore all the places mentioned here. This book certainly made me wish that I lived in London! 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.

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. This richly detailed and beautifully illustrated book provides a miscellany of historic features and curiosities to spot as you wander around the capital. 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.See London in a completely new light in this unearthing of the city's hidden sescrets and untold stories, special places laden with history which you can discover for yourself 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. The book comes complete with maps so you can spot these details yourself on walks through the capital or even on your commute. 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. 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.