London is home to both the traditional and the trend-setting, from ceremonious pomp and pageantry to the "anything goes" aura of Soho. You can hang around the Tower of London or seek out the coolest shops and happening clubs. Once you've worked up an appetite, you can feast on fish and chips, try modern British cuisine, or take advantage of great ethnic restaurants, including Indian, French, Chinese and more. Take in the historical sites or explore the city’s diverse neighborhoods. This guide gives you the latest scoop on:
- The hottest clubs and night life, the coolest shopping, and the thriving performing arts scene
- Attractions ranging from pubs to palaces to Parliament
- Incredible museums, including the British Museum with its antiquities, the Tate Modern, and the National Portrait Gallery with likenesses of famous Brits, including pop icons like Elton John
- Four itineraries and six easy day trips to help you pack the most into your stay
Like every For Dummies travel guide, London For Dummies, Sixth Edition includes:
- Down-to-earth trip-planning advice
- What you shouldn't miss — and what you can skip
- The best hotels and restaurants for every budget
- Lots of detailed maps
Author(s): Donald Olson
Edition: 6
Publisher: For Dummies
Year: 2010
Language: English
Pages: 384
London For Dummies
About the Author
Dedication
Author’s Acknowledgments
Contents at a Glance
Maps at a Glance
Table of Contents
Introduction
About This Book
Conventions Used in This Book
Foolish Assumptions
How This Book Is Organized
Icons Used in This Book
Where to Go from Here
Part I: Introducing London
Chapter 1: Discovering the Best of London
The Best Places to Soak Up London’s History
The Best Museums
The Best of British Cuisine
The Best Places to Shop in London
The Best of London’s Performing Arts
The Best Urban Charms
Chapter 2: Digging Deeper into London
The Main Events: A Brief History of London
Building Blocks: An Overview of English Architecture
Dining English Style, from Traditional to Modern
Visiting the Local Pub
Background Check: Finding London on Page and Screen
Chapter 3: Deciding When to Go
Revealing the Secrets of the Seasons
Perusing a Calendar of Events
Part II: Planning Your Trip to London
Chapter 4: Managing Your Money
Planning Your Budget
Cutting Costs — But Not the Fun
Handling Money
Dealing with a Lost or Stolen Wallet
Chapter 5: Getting to London
Flying to London
Arriving by Other Means
Joining an Escorted Tour
Chapter 6: Catering to Special Needs or Interests
Traveling with the Brood: Advice for Families
Making Age Work for You: Tips for Seniors
Accessing London: Advice for Travelers with Disabilities
Following the Rainbow: Gay and Lesbian Travelers
Chapter 7: Taking Care of the Remaining Details
Getting a Passport
Renting a Car in London — Not!
Playing It Safe with Travel and Medical Insurance
Staying Healthy When You Travel
Staying Connected by Cellphone or E-Mail
Keeping Up with Airline Security Measures
Part III: Settling into London
Chapter 8: Arriving and Getting Oriented
Getting through Passport Control and Customs
Making Your Way to Your Hotel
Figuring Out the Neighborhoods
Finding Information after You Arrive
Getting Around London
Chapter 9: Checking In at London’s Best Hotels and B& Bs
Getting to Know Your Options
Finding the Best Room at the Best Rate
Arriving without a Reservation
London’s Top Hotels
Runner-Up Hotels
Index of Accommodations by Neighborhood
Index of Accommodations by Price
Chapter 10: Dining and Snacking in London
Getting the Dish on the Local Scene
Trimming the Fat from Your Budget
London’s Best Restaurants
Dining and Snacking on the Go
Treating Yourself to Tea
Planning a Picnic
Index of Restaurants by Neighborhood
Index of Restaurants by Cuisine
Index of Restaurants by Price
Part IV: Exploring London
Chapter 11: Discovering London’s Top Attractions
The Top Attractions from A to Z
Finding More Cool Things to See and Do
Seeing London by Guided Tour
Index of Top Attractions by Neighborhood
Index of Attractions by Type
Chapter 12: Shopping the Local Stores
Surveying the Shopping Scene
Checking Out the Big Names
Shopping the Street Markets
Discovering the Best Shopping Neighborhoods
Index of Stores by Merchandise
Chapter 13: Following an Itinerary: Four Great Options
London in Three Days
London in Five Days
London in Seven Days
London with Kids
Chapter 14: Going beyond London: Six Great Day Trips
By Train or by Car: Weighing the Options
Bath: Roman Spa, Regency Splendor
Brighton: Fun beside the Seaside
Canterbury: Tales from the Great Cathedral
Stratford-upon-Avon: In the Footsteps of the Bard
Salisbury and Stonehenge: Steeples and Standing Stones
York: Ancient Walls and Snickelways
Part V: Living It Up after Dark: London Nightlife
Chapter 15: Applauding the Performing Arts
Getting the Inside Scoop
Finding Out What’s Playing and Getting Tickets
Raising the Curtain on the Performing Arts
Chapter 16: London’s Best Pubs, Clubs, and Bars
Enjoying a Pint: London Pubs
Focusing on the Music: The Best Jazz and Blues Clubs
Laughing the Night Away: Comedy Clubs
Cool Bars for Hot London Nights
Shaking Your Groove Thing: The Best Dance Clubs
Unwinding in Elegance: Posh Hotel Bars
Seeking Spots for Night Owls
Stepping Out: Gay Clubs and Discos
Part VI: The Part of Tens
Chapter 17: Making Amens: Ten Noteworthy London Churches
Church of St. Bartholomew the Great
Church of St. Stephen Walbrook
St. Botolph’s
St. Dunstan’s-in-the-West
St. George the Martyr Church
St. Margaret’s Westminster
St. Martin-in-the-Fields
St. Mary-le-Bow
Southwark Cathedral
Temple of Mithras
Chapter 18: Ale’s Well That Ends Well: Ten Historic London Pubs
The Anchor
The Coal Hole
George Inn
The King’s Head & Eight Bells
Lamb & Flag
Red Lion Public House
Salisbury
Williamson’s Tavern
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese
Ye Olde Watling
Chapter 19: Ten Important Royals — Past and Present
Queen Boudicca (A.D. 30? - A.D. 60): Braveheart of the Britons
Alfred the Great (849– 899): A Warrior and a Scholar
William the Conqueror (1028– 1087): Winner Takes All
Henry II (1133– 1189): Family Plots
Henry VIII (1491– 1547): Take My Wife — Please!
Elizabeth I (1533– 1603): Heart and Stomach of a King
George III (1738– 1820): “ My Lords and Peacocks . . .”
George IV (1762– 1830): A Dandy King for the Regency
Queen Victoria (1819– 1901): Mother of Monarchs
Queen Elizabeth II (1926–): Monarchy Amidst Media
Appendix: Quick Concierge
Fast Facts
Airline, Car-Rental, and Hotel Web Sites
Where to Get More Information
Index
Accommodations Index
Restaurant Index
