Author(s) : Unknown

London is both traditional and trend-setting — the home of ceremonious pomp and pageantry and the "anything goes" aura of Soho. You can hang around the Tower of London or seek out the happening spots. Dine 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 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 to help you pack the most into your stay Five day trips to Bath, Stonehenge, Stratford-upon-Avon, and other attractions Like every For Dummies travel guide, London For Dummies , Fifth 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 London For Dummies, 5th Edition 5 About the Author 7 Dedication 7 Author’s Acknowledgments 7 Contents at a Glance 9 Maps at a Glance 11 Table of Contents 13 Introduction 23 About This Book 23 Conventions Used in This Book 24 Foolish Assumptions 25 How This Book Is Organized 26 Icons Used in This Book 27 Where to Go from Here 28 Part I: Introducing London 29 Chapter 1: Discovering the Best of London 31 The Best Places to Soak Up London’s History 31 The Best Museums 33 The Best of British Cuisine 34 The Best Places to Shop in London 35 The Best of London’s Performing Arts 36 The Best Urban Charms 37 Chapter 2: Digging Deeper into London 39 The Main Events: A Brief History of London 39 Building Blocks: An Overview of English Architecture 44 Dining English Style, from Traditional to Modern 46 Visiting the Local Pub 47 Background Check: Finding London on Page and Screen 48 Chapter 3: Deciding When to Go 51 Revealing the Secrets of the Seasons 51 Perusing a Calendar of Events 55 Part II: Planning Your Trip to London 61 Chapter 4: Managing Your Money 63 Planning Your Budget 63 Cutting Costs — But Not the Fun 67 Handling Money 69 Dealing with a Lost or Stolen Wallet 72 Chapter 5: Getting to London 74 Flying to London 74 Arriving by Other Means 77 Joining an Escorted Tour 78 Chapter 6: Catering to Special Needs or Interests 82 Traveling with the Brood: Advice for Families 82 Making Age Work for You: Tips for Seniors 85 Accessing London: Advice for Travelers with Disabilities 86 Following the Rainbow: Gay and Lesbian Travelers 89 Chapter 7: Taking Care of the Remaining Details 91 Getting a Passport 91 Renting a Car in London — Not! 93 Playing It Safe with Travel and Medical Insurance 94 Staying Healthy When You Travel 96 Staying Connected by Cellphone or E-Mail 96 Keeping Up with Airline Security Measures 100 Part III: Settling into London 103 Chapter 8: Arriving and Getting Oriented 105 Getting through Passport Control and Customs 105 Making Your Way to Your Hotel 106 Figuring Out the Neighborhoods 111 Finding Information after You Arrive 119 Getting Around London 120 Chapter 9: Checking In at London’s Best Hotels and B& Bs 125 Getting to Know Your Options 125 Finding the Best Room at the Best Rate 128 Arriving without a Reservation 130 London’s Top Hotels 131 Runner-Up Hotels 159 Index of Accommodations by Neighborhood 161 Index of Accommodations by Price 162 Chapter 10: Dining and Snacking in London 164 Getting the Dish on the Local Scene 164 London’s Best Restaurants 167 Treating Yourself to Tea 196 Planning a Picnic 198 Index of Restaurants by Neighborhood 199 Index of Restaurants by Cuisine 201 Index of Restaurants by Price 203 Part IV: Exploring London 205 Chapter 11: Discovering London’sTop Attractions 207 The Top Attractions from A to Z 210 Finding More Cool Things to See and Do 229 Seeing London by Guided Tour 253 Index of Top Attractions by Neighborhood 255 Index of Attractions by Type 257 Chapter 12: Shopping the Local Stores 259 Surveying the Shopping Scene 259 Checking Out the Big Names 263 Shopping the Street Markets 265 Discovering the Best Shopping Neighborhoods 268 Index of Stores by Merchandise 277 Chapter 13: Following an Itinerary: Four Great Options 279 London in Three Days 279 London in Five Days 281 London in Seven Days 281 London with Kids 282 Chapter 14: Going Beyond London: Six Great Day Trips 285 By Train or by Car: Weighing the Options 285 Bath: Hot Mineral Springs and Cool Georgian Magnificence 288 Brighton: Fun beside the Seaside 292 Canterbury: Tales from the Great Cathedral 295 Stratford-upon-Avon: In the Footsteps of the Bard 298 Salisbury and Stonehenge: Steeples and Standing Stones 303 York: Ancient Walls and Snickelways 307 Part V: Living It Up after Dark: London Nightlife 317 Chapter 15: Applauding thePerforming Arts 319 Getting the Inside Scoop 319 Finding Out What’s Playingand Getting Tickets 320 Raising the Curtain on the Performing Arts 322 Chapter 16: London’s Best Pubs, Clubs, and Bars 329 Enjoying a Pint: London Pubs 329 Focusing on the Music: The Best Jazz and Blues Clubs 333 Laughing the Night Away: Comedy Clubs 333 Shaking Your Groove Thing: The Best Dance Clubs 334 Unwinding in Elegance: Posh Hotel Bars 335 Seeking Spots for Night Owls 335 Stepping Out: Gay Clubs and Discos 336 Part VI: The Part of Tens 337 Chapter 17: Striking a Pose: Ten (Or So)Famous London Statues 339 Admiral Lord Nelson 339 Charles I 340 Duke of York and Edward VII 340 Henry VIII 340 James II and George Washington 341 Oliver Cromwell 341 Peter Pan 341 Prince Albert 342 Queen Boudicca 342 Winston Churchill and Abraham Lincoln 342 Chapter 18: Making Amens: Ten Noteworthy London Churches 343 Church of St. Bartholomew the Great 343 Church of St. Stephen Walbrook 344 St. Botolph’s 344 St. Dunstan’s-in-the-West 344 St. George the Martyr Church 345 St. Margaret’s Westminster 345 St. Martin-in-the-Fields 345 St. Mary-le-Bow 345 Southwark Cathedral 346 Temple of Mithras 346 Chapter 19: Ale’s Well That Ends Well: Ten Historic London Pubs 347 Anchor Inn 347 Coal Hole 347 George Inn 348 King’s Head and Eight Bells 348 Lamb and Flag 348 Red Lion Public House 348 Salisbury 349 Williamson’s Tavern 349 Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese 349 Ye Olde Watling 349 Chapter 20: Ten Important Royals — Past and Present 350 Queen Boudicca (A.D. 30?– A.D. 60): Braveheart of the Britons 350 Alfred the Great (849–899): A Warrior and a Scholar 351 William the Conqueror (1028–1087): Winner Takes All 352 Henry II (1133–1189): Family Plots 353 Henry VIII (1491–1547): Take My Wife — Please! 353 Elizabeth I (1533–1603): Heart and Stomach of a King 354 George III (1738–1820): “My Lords and Peacocks . . . ” 355 George IV (1762–1830): A Dandy King for the Regency 356 Queen Victoria (1819–1901): Mother of Monarchs 357 Queen Elizabeth II (1926–): Monarchy Amidst Media 358 Appendix: Quick Concierge 359 Fast Facts 359 Toll-Free Numbers and Web Sites 364 Where to Get More Information 365 Index 367 History, traditions, and pomp and pageantry abound in London, yet it's a very modern European city. Whether you're a history buff, art lover, architecture connoisseur, Royal watcher, dedicated shopper, or pub hopper, there's something for you in London. And this friendly guide helps you enjoy it fully with information about: Getting around via Underground (and saving with Travelcards), bus, taxi, or on foot Four itineraries to maximize your sightseeing Great day trips to Bath, Stonehenge, Stratford-upon-Avon, and other attractions The best shopping neighborhoods and their specialties, including Knightsbridge for the legendary Harrods, Chelsea for the young and the antique, and Kensington for street chic Literary landmarks, parks and gardens, and royal castles and palaces Activities and attractions for teens and kids Like every For Dummies travel guid...