The Unofficial Guide^® to London , 2nd Edition

by Lesley Logan

• ISBN13: 9780764564499
• ISBN10: 0764564498
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-11-01
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

The Unofficial Guides are the Consumer Reports of travel guides, offering candid evaluations of their destinations2 attractions, hotels, restaurants, shopping, nightlife, sports, and more, all rated and ranked by a team of unbiased inspectors so even the most compulsive planners can be sure they2re spending their time and money wisely. Each guide addresses the needs of everyone from families to business travelers, with handy charts that demonstrate how each place stacks up against the competition. Plus, all the details are pulled out so they2re extremely easy to scan.In a popular, pricey city like London, you need a book like the Unofficial Guidereg;, with its honest advice about what2s worth your time and money, its tips on planning your time and avoiding the crowds, and its ratings of the best hotels and restaurants for every budget. Planning a trip and learning to negotiate such a huge, sprawling city can be overwhelming, but the Unofficial Guidereg; will help you to avoid headaches and see London like a local.The Top 5 Ways The Unofficial Guide To London Can Help You Have The Perfect Trip: Advice on how to decide which season is best for you, and how to find the best airfare All the details on London2s attractions -- which ones are worthwhile, how much time to budget for the must-sees, and money-saving tips like how to get into museums for free or reduced prices Over 50 detailed profiles of hotels rated and ranked for value and quality, plus the best restaurants for every taste and budget Information on getting the best views of the Changing of the Guard -- plus how to avoid the worst of the famous London queues The inside story on how to make bids at Christie2s auction house and find bargain designer outfits and shoes

Table of Contents

List of Maps	ix
About the Authors and Contributors	x
Acknowledgments	xi
Introduction
London Calling	1	(2)
About This Guide	3	(4)
How Information Is Organized: By Subject and by Geographic Zones	7	(7)
Part One An Overview of London	14	(25)
The Long Life of an Ancient City	14	(17)
British Culture: Queues, the Weather, and a Stiff Upper Lip	31	(5)
Divided by a Common Language: A British/English Glossary	36	(3)
Part Two Planning Your Visit to London	39	(20)
Airline Deals	39	(1)
Quick Check	40	(2)
The Weather	42	(1)
What to Bring	43	(1)
When to Go	44	(2)
Gathering Information	46	(1)
Special Considerations	47	(5)
Calendar of Special Events	52	(7)
Part Three Hotels	59	(67)
Selecting Accommodations	59	(9)
Hotel Ratings	68	(5)
Hotel Profiles	73	(53)
Part Four Arriving and Getting Oriented	126	(18)
Entering the Country	126	(2)
Getting into London	128	(4)
Getting Oriented in London	132	(2)
Things the Locals Already Know	134	(10)
Part Five Getting around London	144	(10)
Public Transportation	144	(7)
Getting around on Your Own	151	(3)
Part Six Sight-Seeing and Tours	154	(89)
An Embarrassment of Riches	154	(1)
Tourist Information Centers	155	(1)
Touring	156	(3)
Outside London	159	(2)
Not to Be Missed in London: A Highly Subjective List	161	(1)
Romantic London	161	(1)
Oh, Such a Perfect Day	162	(2)
Walking in and around London	164	(6)
For Museum Lovers	170	(1)
London Attractions Chart	171	(2)
Museums and Attractions	173	(59)
Green and Pleasant Lands: Parks of London	232	(9)
Greenwich	241	(2)
Part Seven Children's London	243	(13)
London with Children	243	(6)
The Top 10 Most Popular Sights for Children	249	(1)
Also See	249	(1)
The Top 10 Least Popular Sights for Children	249	(1)
Services for Families	249	(1)
Activities	250	(2)
Where to Eat	252	(1)
Shopping for Children	253	(3)
Part Eight Dining in London	256	(45)
The Restaurants	258	(2)
London Restaurants Chart	260	(5)
Restaurant Profile	265	(36)
Part Nine Entertainment and Nightlife	301	(31)
The London Scene	301	(20)
Nightclub Profile	321	(11)
Part Ten Shopping in London	332	(23)
Wise Buys in London	332	(2)
Time to Shop	334	(1)
Paying Up	334	(4)
Salespeople's Attitudes and Behavior	338	(1)
The Big Shopping Neighborhoods	339	(3)
Markets	342	(3)
Department Stores	345	(1)
Where to Find...	346	(9)
Part Eleven Exercise and Recreation	355
Spectator Sports	355
Participation Sports	361
Index
General Index	371
Hotel Index	387
Restaurant Index	389
Reader Survey	391