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Discover London
Lonely Planet Discover London is your passport to all the most relevant and up-to-date advice on what to see, what to skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Pop into a pub for good cheer and a pint of beer, let a Yeoman Warder regale you with medieval tales at the Tower of London, or soak up Westminster Abbey's sublime stonework.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
137 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Lonely Planet
3,680 books886 followersOUR STORY
A beat-up old car, a few dollars in the pocket and a sense of adventure. In 1972 that’s all Tony and Maureen Wheeler needed for the trip of a lifetime – across Europe and Asia overland to Australia. It took several months, and at the end – broke but inspired – they sat at their kitchen table writing and stapling together their first travel guide, Across Asia on the Cheap. Within a week they’d sold 1500 copies and Lonely Planet was born. One hundred million guidebooks later, Lonely Planet is the world’s leading travel guide publisher with content to almost every destination on the planet.
A beat-up old car, a few dollars in the pocket and a sense of adventure. In 1972 that’s all Tony and Maureen Wheeler needed for the trip of a lifetime – across Europe and Asia overland to Australia. It took several months, and at the end – broke but inspired – they sat at their kitchen table writing and stapling together their first travel guide, Across Asia on the Cheap. Within a week they’d sold 1500 copies and Lonely Planet was born. One hundred million guidebooks later, Lonely Planet is the world’s leading travel guide publisher with content to almost every destination on the planet.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 29, 2017
7.6.17 - 11.29.17
March 4, 2019
I got lucky enough to talk to people have been, that google and writing out a plan made me not need this as a reference.
January 25, 2020
This was a really great guide for London. Lots of good information without being longwinded.
March 15, 2022
Great source of information for exploring London including the history/ significance behind each place. I’m always a fan of reading Lonely Planet’s guides before going anywhere!
August 25, 2024
Well written with lots of out-of-the-way things to do and see without forgotting the classics.
June 3, 2014
I've been to London many times, but not in the last few years (parenting, anyone?!?). So I was hoping this guide would bring me up to date. And, yes it sure does!
The book starts out with a list and brief description of the Top 25 highlights of the city... though some things on the list aren't must-dos in my world (bar hopping in Shoreditch and Hoxton). Each brief description contains another list related to the theme; for example, the bar hopping item contains a list of where to find the best live music in London, not just that area.
After that, the book is divided into regional sections -- the City itself, the West End, Greenwich, etc. I also found the "What's New" list helpful. It's a list of seven new attractions, such as the Cutty Sark in Greenwich, renovation of the Charles Dickens house and a cable car that crosses the Thames (so cool!). Here and throughout the book I ran into many mentions of The Shard, a new skyscraper with a viewing platform. Too bad the editors didn't include a photo! I looked in vain.
In the regional sections, I really appreciated the "Don't Miss List" feature from insiders. For example, in the City section, the Tower of London information includes a list of what not to miss from the chief yeoman warder of the Tower. Some information in the list is well-known, while some -- like how to get tickets to the nightly locking-up of the Tower, the Ceremony of the Keys -- is helpful for first-time or infrequent visitors.
There's much more to this guidebook, including a fold-up map of the city in the back that can be left in the book or torn out for use separately. And don't miss the section of practical information -- if you don't know what an Oyster card is, you need to know! Can't wait until I can go back to my favorite city!
The book starts out with a list and brief description of the Top 25 highlights of the city... though some things on the list aren't must-dos in my world (bar hopping in Shoreditch and Hoxton). Each brief description contains another list related to the theme; for example, the bar hopping item contains a list of where to find the best live music in London, not just that area.
After that, the book is divided into regional sections -- the City itself, the West End, Greenwich, etc. I also found the "What's New" list helpful. It's a list of seven new attractions, such as the Cutty Sark in Greenwich, renovation of the Charles Dickens house and a cable car that crosses the Thames (so cool!). Here and throughout the book I ran into many mentions of The Shard, a new skyscraper with a viewing platform. Too bad the editors didn't include a photo! I looked in vain.
In the regional sections, I really appreciated the "Don't Miss List" feature from insiders. For example, in the City section, the Tower of London information includes a list of what not to miss from the chief yeoman warder of the Tower. Some information in the list is well-known, while some -- like how to get tickets to the nightly locking-up of the Tower, the Ceremony of the Keys -- is helpful for first-time or infrequent visitors.
There's much more to this guidebook, including a fold-up map of the city in the back that can be left in the book or torn out for use separately. And don't miss the section of practical information -- if you don't know what an Oyster card is, you need to know! Can't wait until I can go back to my favorite city!
April 7, 2018
I actually read the 2017 edition, but I can't find the 2017 edition on Goodreads in a non-ebook listing.
I spent a ridiculous amount of time with this guide book over three days, trying to figure out which places to visit and which places I had already been to two decades ago. It's helpful, with lots of background, clear symbols for priciness and whether a location is family-friendly, and even specifies which tube stop or bus stop to use to get around.
However, for me, this is just a research book. I used the locations in the book to search for the location 's website or Google more photos and reviews to see if it's worth the time and money that Lonely Planet suggests. I just need more photos and bigger maps. :) Good place to start though.
I spent a ridiculous amount of time with this guide book over three days, trying to figure out which places to visit and which places I had already been to two decades ago. It's helpful, with lots of background, clear symbols for priciness and whether a location is family-friendly, and even specifies which tube stop or bus stop to use to get around.
However, for me, this is just a research book. I used the locations in the book to search for the location 's website or Google more photos and reviews to see if it's worth the time and money that Lonely Planet suggests. I just need more photos and bigger maps. :) Good place to start though.
May 28, 2013
Definitely got the basics - the biggest, brightest, and best well known sights - covered. If you want offbeat, quirky or even subcultural (e.g. punk) places covered, this is not the guide for you. But it was a great for a first time traveler to London like myself who just needed maps, basic food recommendations, and general "neighborhood" information.
I saw a million people in London with the same crappy map included in this book. I laughed because if you want something covering the whole of London, make sure to look elsewhere. Trust me, you'll need it. Hahahahahahaha!!
I saw a million people in London with the same crappy map included in this book. I laughed because if you want something covering the whole of London, make sure to look elsewhere. Trust me, you'll need it. Hahahahahahaha!!
March 29, 2014
Loved LP's guide to Montreal a few years back, so sought out this book early last year for our first trip to England. This was the best of the London guides I perused. We ended up buying this and taking with us.
February 14, 2015
nifty little travel guide for a first time traveller.
May 20, 2018
Really helpful in planning my trip.
September 10, 2018
Decent guidebook for overviews on the sites of London.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews