A History of London

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And once you’ve finished with those, I’m also going to suggest 5 charming book shops in London that you should visit to indulge your literary obsession during your trip.

Britain's Smallest Police Station- Sitting quietly on the edge of Trafalgar Square lies an often overlooked record holder; Britain's smallest police station. Probably the most unselfconsciously honest insight into a specific period in London’s history, Pepys’ diary is just a straight-up fascinating read. Get London: A Travel Guide Through Time at Waterstones and Books a Million The Diaries of Samuel Pepys Promising a deep look into London’s top sights, as well as local London life, this is a charming read. I could just as easily have recommended this author’s accounts of London in the 18th century and in the 20th. White’s masterly and well written narratives offer the best introductions to the history of modern London, covering all aspects of the development of the global city before, during and after the age of empire: people, economics, society, culture and politics. They serve as reference volumes for anyone who wants to learn about modern London and its people.Queenie is a young, 20-something Jamaican-British Londoner who has just (unwillingly) split up with her long-term White boyfriend, Tom. What are your favorite history books about London? Which London books sparked your European wanderlust? Whether you know the history of London or not, I think we can all agree that it’s an incredible city… right? I mean, even if you have no idea what happened in a particular building or why a specific monument was created, you can still appreciate its age and beauty. It might sound silly, but it’s a clever and fun way of learning about different periods in time as though you are a tourist within history itself. If ever there was a record of real Restoration London, this is it. The most famous diary in the English language is filled with the mundane record of life in everyday seventeenth century London together with some of the juiciest tidbits in London history. Pepys witnessed everything form the bubonic plague, to the Great Fire of 1666, to Nell Gwynn‘s coming out in Covent Garden.

Tyburn Tree and Speakers Corner - Some gallows and the centre of free speech in London, curiously positioned next to each other! London was once filled with animals, from pigs to horses and even bears and elephants. These days, unless you visit the zoo, the creatures you’re most likely to see are squirrels (cute), urban pigeons (guaranteed to fly at your face at least once per trip) and the occasional rat (ew). Finished Reading Those? Here Are 5 Charming Bookshops in London You Must Visit 1. Daunt Books, 83 Marylebone High StreetRed Lion Square - This small public square has a very intriguing history. It has been the scene of a pitched battle and may also be the final resting place of Oliver Cromwell. Walk the Lines, Mark Mason (4 nominations). Trivia fan and Londonist video star Mark Mason walks the length of every tube line, with eyes wide open. Londonist review

When fingers start to point, prejudice leads some members of the community to point them at those who recently arrived in the country. Morton’s quest for the city’s heart reveals how London’s daily life is rooted in a past that is closer and more familiar than we might think.” I’d never heard of mudlarking before I moved to London, but it’s a fascinating pastime, which involves scavenging for items of value on the banks of the River Thames. When the practice began in the 18th century, it was so much more than a hobby – people made their living by selling whatever trinkets they’d pulled from the muddy banks.London: A Travel Guide Through Time is a highly engaging read and showcases the best of London throughout six interesting periods of history. From history, to culture, to sightseeing, to maps and more, if you’re only going to have one London book on your shelf, then this should probably be it.