The Rough Guide to London (Rough Guide London) [Paperback]

Rob Humphreys (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1999 | Series: Rough Guide London

A streetwise guide to London which features all the major sights, from Buckingham Palace to the new Legoland in Windsor, along with other less well-known attractions such as the Pet Cemetery near Hyde Park and the secret rooftop garden on Kensington High Street. The city's best pubs, restaurants and hotels are reviewed and a critical coverage of London's club, music and theatre scenes is provided. This edition also includes details of: the House of Hemp in the East End, London's first cannabis museum; Apsley House; the National Maritime Museum; the Girl Guides Museum; Harrow-on-the-Hill, Wembley Stadium; and the Neasden temple, the largest Hindu temple outside India. Other topics covered include the Notting Hill Carnival, a history of anarchism, public executions and body snatchers.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

As a 10-year London veteran, London: The Rough Guide author Rob Humphreys offers the ultimate insider's view into how to get under the skin of the city he calls home. In addition to the detail-heavy "basics" like getting there, visas, money, and phones, this guide's specialty areas offer something for everyone including lesbian and gay London; classical music, opera, and dance; theater, cabaret, and cinema; galleries; shops and markets; sport; festivals and special events; kids' London; and an essential directory listing everything from lost luggage contact numbers to dentists.

Museums are delved into, often with room-by-room coverage, so you can pick your "must-sees" and better plan your visit. Italicized margin notes offer useful information including the nearest tube (subway) or train stations, where to get tickets, opening hours, and other helpful tidbits like "the river walk may not be accessible during very high tides." London's food has come a long way from shepherd's pie, and a restaurant directory boasts everything from Tex-Mex to a vegetarian's delight: lentil pizza.

To help you put it all into perspective, the back of the book offers an architectural chronology accompanied by main historical events, plus an enticing list of films and books that lend insight into the real London. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Clear and comprehensive...compulsive reading...jam-packed with information. -- The Express, London, UK

Impressive research on architecture and history, and thorough coverage of the capital's attractions. -- People Magazine, USA

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 688 pages
• Publisher: Rough Guides; 3 edition (March 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 185828404X
• ISBN-13: 978-1858284040
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,843,297 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very thorough, December 3, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: London: The Rough Guide, Second Edition (2nd ed) (Paperback)

There isn't much about greater London that isn't covered in this guidebook. The author's tone is often pretty cynical, but if you want to avoid--or at least be warned about--the very touristy and/or the very cheesy, this is probably the book for you.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The "Must Have" book for the London traveller, June 16, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Mini Rough Guide to London, 1st edition (Paperback)

I am an airline employee, and I travel a lot. Recently, I had the opportunity to spend Easter Weekend in London, England, and a co-worker gave me her copy of the Pocket Rough Guide. It was the best travel guide I have ever used. Small enough to carry in my back pocket, it had detailed street and subway maps, opening hours for shops, entrance fees and hours for sights and attractions, recomendations on where to eat and sleep, history and current affairs. I had it with me constantly, and referred to it on a minute by minute basis as I did my best to see as much of London as I could in two and a half days. Concise and VERY practicle, I would recommend this book to anyone planning a visit here.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very readable in-depth guide., September 3, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Rough Guide to London (Rough Guide London) (Paperback)

I visited London for the first time in March 2000. I selected this guidebook based on favorable experiences with other books from this series. London is a huge, complex city that can overwhelm a first time traveller. This book made it very easy to to find my way around. I don't expect any travel book to be completely accurate in describing accomodations, restaurants and other commercial venues in a fast-changing urban environment. However, I found this one to be right about 98% percent of the time.

Some nice features of this book were detailed sections on activities for children, and better than average information for gay/lesbian and disabled travellers. Another real bonus is the suggested reading section at the back of the book. I found some very worthwhile books there that I have been reading as background for my next London trip.