Quiet London

by Siobhan Wall

England's capital is a big, exciting, bustling city. But not everyone wants to be in a busy, noisy place. Sometimes Londoners and visitors alike need somewhere peaceful where they can talk, relax or read a book. This charming guide can show you where to find these hidden, peaceful places in the midst of the capital's hustle and bustle. From lesser known gardens and parks to tucked away cafes and galleries, this unique and original guide will take you off the beaten track in search of attractive places where you don't need to strain to hear each other speak! A city guide like no other, it is full of interesting and quiet places to meet, drink, eat, swim, rest, shop, sleep or read, with short descriptions, travel and contact details for each place and illustrated with simple but atmospheric photographs. A must-have guide for both Londoners and visitors to the capital.

Genres: Nonfiction, London, Travel, Reference, British Literature, Art

144 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2011

Reviews

[Courtney Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have one big issue with books like Quiet London: they're lovely and I want to buy them all, but I'm sure they must go out of date regularly as businesses close and new ones open. I also wonder whether some of the places featured in this book in particular might no longer be classed as "quiet"... as a result of being featured in the book. With those concerns out of the way, I'm really glad that I finally came across this book in my local library after several attempts to find it.

I've visited a few of the places featured in this book (or, at least, previously made vague plans to do so), but the vast majority were new to me. This isn't surprising, since I've only lived in London for a total of about five years and am a bit lazy about scoping out new places to explore. Thanks to this book, I have a nice long list of new ideas! I'm glad most of them were in or close to central London; it would have been a bit of a cop out to feature mainly places further out, plus it helps people who are already in central London and need some quiet. I also liked the range of places featured, from libraries to shops to restaurants and even hotels. I'm hoping I can plan a few day trips into town – maybe studying in the morning, lunch in a quiet café and then an afternoon of exploration!

This is a great book that I'd recommend to anyone who wants some alternative places to visit in London. Of course, since I'm now totally a proper Londoner (just kidding, please don't throw jellied eels at me) I have to add some of my own suggestions.

1) The Science Museum Library when it used to be within Imperial's Central Library was a lovely place to be. I could spend hours in there browsing in silence. I haven't yet visited it in its new home in the Dana Centre yet, but I hope to soon (if I'm allowed, since I'm not an academic).

2) Hyde Park is surprisingly quiet in parts, if you go at the right time. I used to live nearby, so went there quite a lot, and it's incredible how you can barely tell you're in the middle of a huge city when you get far enough into it.

3) Okay, not exactly somewhere you can visit, but the toilets in Vanilla Black, a posh vegetarian restaurant near Chancery Lane, are almost eerily quiet. Going down there was a surprisingly enjoyable experience. Food's rather nice too!

4) Finally, an honourable mention. At the very top of the Science Museum there used to be a history of medicine gallery that was always quiet. They've closed it though and it's being replaced with a new gallery on the first floor, which probably won't be so quiet. A shame really as the history of medicine is one of my favourite topics and that exhibit was particularly fascinating. I hope the new one is just as good.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read but it's a book I'll return to in advance of my next trip to London. It already features some of my favourite places (LRB Cafe in Bury Street, the Foundling Museum and the cafe at the Barbican) but there are some great suggestions of peaceful places to visit that are off the beaten track. A beautifully presented book.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ein kleiner, feiner Reiseführer zu den "stillen Orten" Londons

[Darryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This lovely little book was written by an artist and university lecturer based in London who began to search for places of solitude within the noisy, crowded streets of the capital. Based on personal explorations and recommendations from friends and people she encountered, [Quiet London] briefly describes well over 100 hidden and lesser known gardens, parks, art galleries, cafes, bookshops, cemeteries and other spots where one can relax in an environment free of music and crowds within zones 1 and 2. Each entry includes a photograph, web site, and directions via the Underground and bus. Only a couple of the sites were familiar to me, particularly the London Review Cake Shop within the London Review Bookshop and The Foundling Museum in Bloomsbury, but there were at least two or three dozen sites that looked especially interesting. This is a book that I'll bring with me on all of my future trips to London, and I would highly recommend it for casual visitors and longtime residents of the city.

[Michael Hassel Shearer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quiet London by Siobjan Wall I enjoyed this book as it gave me ideas for new places to visit when I go back to London (COVID permitting) this fall. I do not believe this travel guide is for everyone who is interested in visiting London. If you are going for the first time, I think it is best to go to the more better-known places on everyone’s bucket list. My wife and I have visited London more than a few dozen times and even lived in the Oxford area for three years and yet I saw places in this book that were new to me. There are wonderful photos, a brief description of the place and more importantly information on how to get there by bus, train or tube, the days and hours open, the cost and the website. So, all in all a very good resource for planning a 3rd or more visit back to London. Its brief and what I can not tell from the e-book is whether the hard copy will be small enough to fit in aa pocket or small bag to carry about.

[Susan Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Princess Fuzzypants here: London is a big boisterous city. For decades, since my first visit and then living in London, it had been my favourite place in the world. But last visit, it just seemed so jarring and disorganized that it made me decide perhaps, it was time we parted company.

Reading this book and looking at the pictures, I may have to change my mind. What I loved about London was you got all the excitement of the a metropolis but there were so many quiet places where you could find peace. Some of the ones in the book are known to me. Others are “finds”. I especially loved the museums and the off-the=beaten=path destinations that are tucked away in the midst of chaos.

I enjoyed the book so much, I may have to return to London and search out some of these jewels. Five purrs and two paws up.

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that this book really focuses on day-to-day quiet places in London. Options provided included museums, parks, libraries, places of worship, bookshops, cafés and bars, and others! I have lived in small, rural communities and big, sprawling cities. Having a quiet place to be able to retreat or withdraw to is critical to my well-being. In this book, each entry provides the location, information about how to get there, content about the location and beautiful photographs. Even though I am not currently in London, fresh ideas were sparked for the big city where I currently reside. The next time I do go to London, I know now where to find the quiet places!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

[Zeb Kantrowitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an updated edition of the original book published in 2011. If your going to London and want to see some great out of the way places, that won't be filled with lots of tourists with cameras and tour leaders waving umbrellas, this is the book for you. My only negative comment (and this could be because it was an electronic copy) was that many of the photos that accompanied the narrative were partially out-of-focus.

The places to visit are in the following sections: museums, libraries, parks/gardens/reserves, places to relax, places of worship, cemeteries/graveyards, small shops, restaurants/cafes, bookshops, afternoon tea places, galleries, pubs/bars and places to stay.

Since it's less that two hundred pages, it's the perfect travel book to take with you when you travel.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about where to find silence in London. Having lived there I am surprised that a premium payment isn't asked for quiet, given its relative rarity. The book is an excellent idea, and since quiet places tend to also be discreet, smart and interesting, it also serves as a useful guidebook for the intellectually curious.

[Greta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't wait to check out the places listed in this book. They sound amazing!

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this as part of a Humble Bundle and I really love the concept. A travel guide that gets me and what I'm actually interested in lol. But I assume it's super out of date at this point

[Rosie Frasc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely book, a few places have closed down in the last 10 years but many - especially almost all of the bookshops and green spaces - are still here.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first saw this little book a few years ago in London and wished I had bought it. This past November I decided to look for it and there it was sitting by itself on a table in Waterstones just waiting for me. It's a gem. It discusses quiet places for eating, drinking, sleeping, reading, browsing giving tube stops and bus stops nearby, along with lovely photos. I love finding different places to visit in London. The only fault I have with the book is that the print is quite faint and small - not easy to read for an old(er) person. It will be my guidebook for my next trip to London.

[Adrienne]

spotted this on a blog some where ..not a review just an image...sounds interesting....

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many good tips...can't wait to move back to London now and spend time at all these lovely libraries, shops, pubs, bars and gardens...

[Livinginthecastle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't managed to get to a lot of these places, but it's interesting to discover another part of London, specially one that's described as quiet.

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice book for people in London. Though if too many people make use of the suggestions the places will become a lot less quiet!

[Stephanie Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let's face it, I bought this for the pretty pictures and the fact that it's still a dream of mine to live in London for a while.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great guide to finding respite in noisy London. Lots of wee hidden gems off the beaten track