London: The Hidden Corners for Curious Wanderers

by Jack Chesher

Some of London’s greatest historic features and oddities can be found tucked away down hidden paths, in secluded courtyards and in quiet corners and alleyways.

Take a journey into these often unexplored and hidden corners of the city with Jack Chesher – creator of @livinglondonhistory and author of the Sunday Times Besteller London: A Guide For Curious Wanderers.

Track down the last remanents of the notorious Marshalsea prison in a quiet Borough back alley and learn how it housed London’s poorest debtors across its 500-year history. Meander your way down St. Michael’s Alley, buried deep in a network of seventeenth-century streets near the Bank of England, to discover the site of London’s first ever coffee house. Or make your way to Hackney’s remarkable Shepherdess Walk to learn the history of a unique part of London and to visit the incredible mosaics secluded away there.

Illustrated throughout, and complete with walking maps to help you track down key locations, this is a book to bring the city to life for intrepid tourists and Londoners looking for something beyond the obvious landmarks.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, London, History

176 pages, Hardcover

Published April 8, 2025

About the author

Jack Chesher is a London tour guide, explorer and blogger.

Reviews

[Bill]

My wife and I love finding little back streets, behind the hustle and bustle of London's chaotic thoroughfares. We usually find independent cafes and shops that are easily missed when you walk the more obvious routes.
Knowing this my father in law gave me this excellent book that takes you on walks around hidden streets in London. Thanks to this great guide we found Roman walls, ruined churches, green spaces and a wealth of places we never knew about. Instead of using photographs the author uses some great illustrations to enhance the book, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves the quiter side of this wonderful city.

[Maria]

saved a lot of new pins to my London Google map after this book

[KATIE MEYERS]

London: The Hidden Corners for Curious Wanderers is an atmospheric and richly detailed exploration of the lesser-known spaces that give London its depth and character. Jack Chesher, known for his work sharing London history through @livinglondonhistory, brings his passion for overlooked places into a beautifully curated walking guide that blends storytelling with urban exploration.

The book’s greatest strength is its focus on discovery. Rather than centering on iconic landmarks, it invites readers into hidden alleys, quiet courtyards, and forgotten historical sites places that reveal the layered history of the city in a more intimate way. Each entry feels like a small historical unveiling, connecting present day streets with centuries of stories.

Chesher’s writing is engaging and accessible, striking a balance between historical detail and conversational narration. Whether describing the remnants of old prisons, the origins of early coffee houses, or tucked-away architectural gems, the tone consistently encourages curiosity and exploration.

The inclusion of walking maps and visual elements enhances the experience, making the book not just informative but also highly usable as a real-world guide. It encourages readers to physically engage with the city, turning reading into exploration.

While it is deeply rooted in London, its appeal extends beyond tourists to locals who want to rediscover their city from a fresh perspective. Readers seeking a conventional guide to major attractions may find it unconventional, but that is precisely its charm.

Overall, this is a beautifully crafted blend of history, storytelling, and urban adventure that transforms London into a living, layered narrative.

[Emma Ashley]

💜 Blurb -
Some of London’s greatest historic features and oddities can be found tucked away down hidden paths, in secluded courtyards and in quiet corners and alleyways.
Take a journey into these often unexplored and hidden corners of the city with Jack Chesher – creator of @livinglondonhistory and author of the Sunday Times Besteller A Guide For Curious Wanderers.
Track down the last remanents of the notorious Marshalsea prison in a quiet Borough back alley and learn how it housed London’s poorest debtors across its 500-year history. Meander your way down St. Michael’s Alley, buried deep in a network of seventeenth-century streets near the Bank of England, to discover the site of London’s first ever coffee house. Or make your way to Hackney’s remarkable Shepherdess Walk to learn the history of a unique part of London and to visit the incredible mosaics secluded away there.
Illustrated throughout, and complete with walking maps to help you track down key locations, this is a book to bring the city to life for intrepid tourists and Londoners looking for something beyond the obvious landmarks.
💚 Review -
I really enjoyed this guide to London's hidden corners. It was a way to explore London but without leaving home. I found the book really interesting and I loved the illustrations that were throughout the book - they were beautifully drawn and brilliantly detailed. It's definitely made me want to explore London in the future. Overall, a great and informative read that I highly recommend to other people.
💖 Thank you to Tandem Collective, the author and publisher for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Sj Banham]

Bought this on impulse as I follow the author on social media and saw him advertise the book. Received it Friday, completed it by Saturday night!

If you're even slightly curious at London's nooks and crannies, or are interested in London's history, then GET THIS BOOK! You won't be disappointed.

I imagined I'd look up places I knew first and see hidden locations but instead I read it from start to finish in order.

As a family, we're going to love investigating some of these locations in the summer.

Got to highlight the illustrations too. Very cool.

Hugely recommended.

[Kimberly]

This book is so cool! So much history and illustration of hidden corners all across London. This is an interesting read anyways, but great if you love a little afternoon or evening walk around London and getting off the beaten path a bit. It's a great accompaniment to his other book which I also really enjoyed.

Thank you to the publisher for providing a digital advanced copy of this book for me to read!

[Scott]

Great little book, highlighting some of the hidden history of London. Organised by theme rather than geography, which makes it a little more awkward to follow the included walking itineraries but that doesn’t detract from its interest.
(His live walks are great too, if you can get a ticket!!

[Lau]

Maravilloso! bien explicado y con todo lujo de detalles, se puede sentir Londres con solo leerlo

[Sarah]

More style than substance

[Victoria]

beautiful illustrations, variety of information, bitesize chunks

[salo]

ეს კატომ ჩამომიტანა და ამიტომ ნამდვილად იმსახურებს აქ ყოფნას

[Stephen Hamilton]

As with the first book, endlessly fascinating. I’m looking forward to trying the self-guided walking tours.

[Jay]

Great reference for walks in London to obscure, fascinating, and beautiful places