London

Lonely Planet Travel Guide

by Lonely Planet, Pat Yale, Steve Fallon

Lonely Planet explores the not-to-be missed shops, markets, theaters, pubs, clubs, cafes and restaurants of this vibrant capital city. This guidebook provides an in-depth look at all areas, from the famous sights - Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, the British Museum, the Tower of London - to the lesser-known haunts of Central and Greater London. It leads readers on four easy-to-follow Central London walks, and an excursions section focuses on day trips outside of the capital. Accommodations and restaurant listings range from five-star to budget.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Reference, British Literature, History, Guidebook, Guides

Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

OUR 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.

Reviews

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been reading a lot of tour books covering London and also covering England, Scotland and Wales.

This is by far the best of all the guidebooks I’ve read about London. The Lonely Planet books are great. Their London one seems particularly helpful.

One thing I learned from this book is that more planning than I’d anticipated is advisable. It’s not a book I’d want to carry around on a daily basis (they do have a pocket guide I’ll look for at the library) but I would bring the paperback on a UK trip. This would be one worth buying if I am ever able to go to London. It would be a worthwhile investment, making a trip there more satisfying. There is a Kindle edition but I think I’d rather have the paperback because a phone screen is too small for me to see all the details, especially the maps. I would use a phone to access various websites and online maps & directions while out and about.

I understand why there is a long queue at the library. I will be borrowing it again and buying a copy if I have a firm intention to visit.

Highly recommended for first time travelers to London and all London visitors and some residents.

Does anybody know how often Lonely Planet publishes their London guides/guides? I’ll have to check if a new edition might be available before I make any plans to travel there.

[Mell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought this and taking with us to London. LP seems to be the most user-friendly of the travel guides I've tried. Their guide to Montreal helped make a great trip a few years ago, so I feel confident in taking this one to England.

Update and final word:
4.5 Stars

A very useful guide! The rip-out map was especially helpful in referencing places and directions for destinations on the outskirts of the city. The freebie pocket-sized maps we found at Heathrow airport and some of the train/tube stations really only highlighted the tourist-dense city centres and destinations. LP's fold out map was pretty detailed.

LP also aided us in finding some delicious food and helped us prepare for entry fees and other details like hours of operation. (We always verified- never know when changes might happen.) Restaurant entries also include symbols for price levels.

The one thing I would love for Lonely Planet to include in their very helpful "Practicalities" column is how much time they'd recommend you save for spending at a destination. I know the length of time spent at a museum, church or other historic location varies greatly. While some sites have free admission and suggested donations (the Tates, British Library and Museum, etc), others charge fees of £15 or higher. If you arrive somewhere at 2 hrs prior to close, is that enough time to do the place justice AND justify the admission price? Maybe LP could suggest both a "Basic/Quick Look Around" time and an "In-depth/Enthusiast" length of time.

In the end, I highly recommend the Lonely Planet for London.

[Sandra Vel · Rating 3 out of 5]

No es lo que buscaba...
Guía de Londres sin la parte más importante de una guía (que son los sitios interesantes que ver y que no hay que perderse). No sirve para planear un viaje...
Habla de: Historia, Arquitectura, Londres literario, Teatro y danza, Arte y moda, Panorama musical, Cine y medios de comunicación, Transporte; para tener un conocimiento general sobre la historia y cultura de la ciudad.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love the Lonely Planet travel guides. I buy them every time I'm traveling to a new city.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent travel guide from Lonley Planet. I have yet to go to London, but this is the guide I would use for information on how to travel, what to see there, etc. The guide contains up to date information on London containing the airport and other transportation hubs necessary for a smooth trip there and advice on where to stay, eat, see, etc. As an added bonus, there is information on the modern London, as well as the historical London which contains some of the most fascinating buildings including Windsor Castle and others. A great guide, recommended.

[Moi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the best way to travel is independently, walking all around a city. My husband and I were able to independently craft a dreamy vacation in London thanks to The Lonely Planet. In addition to fantastic annotated maps for walking tours, the publication offered a helpful array of lodgings, restaurants, and activities, ranging from the inexpensive to the decadent. Happily, even the budget-end suggestions we tried were big hits.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This guide is a useful resource for researching hotel, restaurant, shopping and attraction options while in London. While the Lonely Planet does contain a section, toward the end of this guide, for such practical concerns for less experienced travelers, such as tipping, getting around the city, currency exchange, etc, it felt a bit brief and rushed. With that in mind, I plan to also check out Rick Steves' London guide, as well.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another top recommendation for a particular Lonely Planet volume. This version is the second LP London book I've owned, and it's storehouse of recommendations and knowledge has proven to be so invaluable I've committed much of it to memory. Another essential bible for the anglophile traveller...and an invaluable guide to my favourite city on Earth!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first time picking up a Lonely Planet guide and it did not disappoint. Engaging, well-researched, with "insider" info and the right mix of cultural and historical details peppered in, this is more like getting the scoop from a friend than reading a travel guide. Definitely would recommend if you plan on staying more than a few days. I'll be taking this one with me when I go!

[Dorotea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lonely Planet is always my go-to guide to decide what to see.

[Gardy (Elisa G) · Rating 3 out of 5]

L'edizione a colori è sicuramente più accattivante alla vista e rende la consultazione ancora più rapida ed intuitiva.

La riorganizzazione grafica evidenzia però anche dei difetti. Il primo è l'assenza della mappa pieghevole presente nelle edizioni precedenti, di cui si sente ancor di più la mancanza considerando che nelle cartine "zona per zona" a fine volume la maggior parte delle vie appare senza alcuna denominazione.

Il secondo è che se ora la guida appare più ordinata e gradevole, la nuova grafica fighetta influisce su una riduzione dei contenuti effettivi della guida. Perciò la guida è esaustiva solo nel caso programmiate una visita "toccata e fuga" ai luoghi più noti e turistici della città. In caso contrario, se la vostra visita vuole essere più curata, è necessario integrare le informazioni (anche quelle riguardo i luoghi "da non perdere") con ricerche preventive su internet o con l'ausilio di una seconda guida.

[Maria Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inseparabile compagna per le mie scorribande londinesi.
Ha qualche annetto quindi bisogna sempre fare il double check online per verificare accessibilità e orari di apertura.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've trusted "Lonely Planet" guides with my life for over 10 years, and content-wise they have never failed me. In preparation for a trip to London this coming summer, I picked up an updated guide to the city. For the most part, it maintains its usual standard, but I must admit I was disappointed with the detachable map for the first time. The details are far too small, with some important areas cut off. Several of the maps in the rear of the guide are also printed awkwardly, with the decision to print some of them across the binding rendering them partially unreadable. The tube map is also much more microscopic and less-user friendly than in the past. These little irritations keep an otherwise excellent guide from reaching 5 stars. The competition is starting to catch up, and I think "Lonely Planet" needs to avoid complacency.

[Julier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am enjoying read this book in the kindle edition. I like being able to click on links and taken to particular things of interest. I don't find it easy to go back to where I was before I clicked on a link. I think I've gotten a good overview of London and would find it helpful to plan day trips there and know more about places and buildings.

[Ivy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Borrowed from library for my recent London trip and (May 2012) and found it very useful if slightly dated (get the newer version if you're traveling now). Had no problems with the Kindle formatting and great to have an e-book version instead of lugging around a physical books. Used this in combination with the most recent version of The London Mapguide to get around. Guide info better in LP and maps better in Mapguide (obviously).

[bridgette larsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the longest guide book yet and the most complicated itinerary I’ve made so far since London has so much to do and see. I highly suggest reading this book for exceptional references before exploring London. There’s also a section on the history of London that I found to be extremely useful. This guide book is for everyone - it covers art, museums, sports, drinking, royalty, music, and much, much more. Thanks Lonely Planet!

London, I’m ready to go!

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yes, London is a big city and there's a lot to cover, but everytime I wanted to look up a certain restaurant or find a bar near me this guide was severely lacking. Also, probably not really the book I needed while debating becoming a resident, this guide clearly (as it should) focuses on the tourists point of view.

[Gypsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did enjoy this guidebook immensely, partially because for some reason I really like London. It had little sections on London record stores (yay!) and vintage stores. I just wish it were in full color.
If you are going to London, this is a good guidebook to get.
In the end, though, the Queen marries Voldemort.

[Zareek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always loved Lonely Planet's books. I read this - cover to cover! - before my trip to London earlier this year.

Good recommendations, accurate maps, updated listings. Very useful even for a second timer like me.

The only thing I wished from LP books (or rather all travel guidebooks) is that they cover halal restaurants as well.

But hey, that's where the internet comes handy :)

[patrycja polczyk · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was my first London's guidebook, even though I was there before. It's Lonely Planet, so it can't be bad. It's written lightly, in a concise and informative way. I liked it and learned some new things from it. It's a good book for someone who knows something about London already and for someone, who is new to that wonderful city.

[Jana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Over and over again with this city. I remember the time when it was practically impossible to come there, with all the visas and restrictions and now, it's impossible to avoid it, and to get lost if you have this book in your pocket.

[Oriana · Rating 4 out of 5]

You guys, one week from today I'm going to London for the first time ever OMG OMG OMG OMG.

Anyone want to tell me about amazing places to visit and neighborhoods to stroll through and foods to eat and things to do? The quirkier and stranger and underground-er the better.

[Sabine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heerlijk! In de voorbereiding op een mooie trip deze zomer de Lonely Planet van Londen lezen is een genot. Niet alleen heb ik weer van alles geleerd over de geschiedenis van Londen; zeker ook de actualiteit komt ruim aan bod.

[Melina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very useful guide to the city of London. Great recommendations by neighborhood plus detailed guides and visuals for numerous landmarks and historical palaces. The maps are helpful and the history sections are insightful. I've used this guide on two separate trips and wouldn't leave home without it!

[Beth Betts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Resource

Lonely Planet does a great job of compiling everything one needs to know about a city then presenting it in an appealing way. One feels well prepared, but also able to easily refer to any of the guides for reference.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the lonely planet guides. They provide a good mix of history with easy to find reference information.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Sue again!

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't leave home without it!

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I admittedly didn't read all of this, but the overview information at the start of the book was excellent and extremely informative.

[Roberto Zanasi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una guida di Londra molto ricca (e aggiornata, questa è l'edizione del 2006).