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

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London is famous for its museums, each one full of treasures and relics – but the biggest museum in the capital is the city itself.

This richly detailed and beautifully illustrated book provides a miscellany of historic features and curiosities to spot as you wander around the capital.

I went on to study history at the University of Bristol and lived there for seven years. I put that history degree to immediate good use and became a hotel manager for 4 and a half years. This richly detailed and beautifully illustratedbook provides a miscellany of historic features and curiosities to spotas 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. The book comes complete with maps so you can spot these details yourself on walks through the capital or even on your commute.

The book comes complete with maps so you can spot these details yourselfon walks through the capital. 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. The book comes complete with maps so you can spot these details yourself on walks through the capital.

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. Each walk has a theme. For example, the first one focuses on London’s buildings. They go from Roman ruins to skyscrapers. 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.