I missed my chance to read this when I got a Netgalley version because I was too slow to download it. However I subsequently bought a copy for my mum as a christmas gift. She was born and grew up in London, and she absolutely loved the book and devoured it all in a couple of days.

So helpful and full of fascinating facts and interesting insights. Once you’ve read this, you won’t look at London the same way again. I’ve bought the physical copy so I can take it with me everywhere I go.

This was a great addition to our library for our frequent outings in London. Always something new to discover.

As someone who has spent a lot of time in London and already visited most of the standard tourist spots (Big Ben, St Pauls, Tower of London, etc etc) this book was an absolute revelation, as it takes you beyond the obvious spots and really gets beneath the skin of the city, pointing out things even locals may walk past on a daily basis without seeing or knowing what they actually are.
The places of interest are all laid out in walks, so you can take an easy-to-follow tour of the city to see groupings of them. I added loads of spots to my "places to visit" lists on Google Maps, and I've bought 2 copies of this book already to give to friends who live in London. Chesher also has a great Instagram account that's well worth following. A really great travel guide.

This is a fantastic insight into hidden London. As a Londoner, I was excited to discover new places, but I’ve never known about. I hope these places to become overwhelmed tourists and still be secret hidden parts of our city.
Excellent insight into the past and how are city has changed

This book is so more than I expected in the best way. It is more about the history of London. It is broken into four parts, each giving locations you can visit to see how London was built and how it became what it is today. This is great for history lovers and if you want a more unique experience of London.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

London is my favorite city, so I'm always looking for new or interesting facts to discover. This book is a collection of interesting things that can be found throughout the city. The book is divided four sections: Stepping Through Time (tracing the history of the city); Cracking the Capital's Code (unusual signs and symbols and what they mean); Part of the Street Furniture (things you might walk by without a glance, but which have fascinating backstories); and It's Only Natural (natural features such as bodies of water and parks). Each section ends with a map and a guided walk where you can see items mentioned in the chapters (although each walk contains things mentioned in more than one chapter). The illustrations are all drawings, both color and black and white, which are sprinkled throughout the text. Of course, the book is subjective, being a gathering of facts, sights, and history that the author finds noteworthy. I enjoyed reading through the book and have found a more than a few things to look for on my next trip across the pond!

Lovely illustrations of London. Great ideas for places to visit and experience. Many of these I had never been to, or even knew existed even though I lived in London for many years

Why did I only read this now that my best friend has moved back from the Cambridge to Germany after 5 years? I will miss visiting her and being only a stone's throw away from Europe's biggest, most fast-paced and (dare I say) second-most beautiful city. I was getting major wanderlust from leafing through this curious little guide - which proved, once again, that no matter how often you enter London, you will always find new sights to note on your bucket list in this ever-developing place. A Guide for Curious Wanderers focuses on the historical sites of London, the firsts, mosts, and who's-whos, nicely illustrated with aquarelles without a single photo in sight. Which I thought nicely fit the old-fashioned vibes it gives off, since it also delves into the curious street names, urban myths, and origins of peculiar architecture. This one is for the on-foot-walkers and period-drama lovers.

A lovely guide to London with beautiful pictures and photography of London .

Thank you for the advanced reader copy.

I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.
The book is full of different sites throughout the city, from the normal to the unusual. Instead of pictures, it uses detailed illustrations. The information works as a good introduction to each site.

Jack Chesher is a tour guide around London and has produced a fascinating and beautifully illustrated guide to some of the lesser-known secrets about the capital.

There are several quirky buildings and objects that would be easily missed for those not aware of what to look for.

I was surprised and delighted in equal measure and learned a great deal.

This would be an ideal coffee table book and also good to have in e-book form to guide you around the capital, particularly if following any of the suggested walking maps.

If you want to know where to find street furniture, Roman remains, hidden rivers, or stink pipes (yes, really!) - basically anything that tells a story of the capital's past, this is definitely a book to have in your collection.

I received a free digital ARC of this book via Quarto Publishing Group - White Lion, and am leaving my honest appraisal voluntarily.

A beautifully illustrated book that provides loads of historical info far beyond what one normally finds in a guidebook. Complete with maps for self guided walking tours, this book would be equally at home in your vacation day bag as it is on your coffee table - a lovely title to treasure.

Jack Chesher's book focuses on all of the interesting, bizarre, unique, and at times, hidden areas of London's history. Chesher also runs an Instagram account (Living London History) and this book is full of fascinating little tidbits. I will say--I think this book reads better if you are actually in London, but that's just my opinion. While there were many interesting parts, it read a little dry at times, but I think this would be different if one was actually visiting these places in the city. Chesher is a good storyteller...I wonder a bit if some of the information came across as "dry" to me only because I wanted more of the story!

What I like is that at the end of each section, there is a walking map/guide with many key areas listed that you can visit. I definitely want to try one or two next time I visit! There are sweet illustrations throughout and the book is organized thoughtfully.

A beautifully illustrated jewel box of a book - I'm buying one for myself and four more for the girlfriends I'm going on a trip to London with. A strong recommend for the traveler, armchair or otherwise.

This is a great guide to London and all of its quirky curiosities. It includes fun facts about certain areas in London. It is nicely organized by categories and includes an index of sites organized by postcode.

London: A Guide for Curious Wanderers by Jack Chesher

I hate to admit it but…I requested to read and review this book knowing I would be in London and wanting to see something new, different, and fun. Sadly, I forgot to download the book into a reader before traveling and lost out on SO MUCH! When I returned home, started going through books to be read and reviewed…there it was…this tiny gem filled with beautiful illustrations, unusual historical tidbits to seek around London, and specific walks to take to enjoy information in this book. I probably will not be back in London to do for a while BUT I will keep this book in mind to pick up before my next visit so that I can make the walks I would have taken if I had had this book with me a month ago.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group-White Lion for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

Confession: The illustrations were absolutely the standout of this read for me!

We know I will read almost anything to do with London, and this book is a delightful addition to the armchair-travel/initial-guidebook genre ... but man, those illustrations. They would earn a special spot on my bookcase or coffee table themselves!

The text itself provides just the right introduction to each spot covered, whetting many an appetite (or at least my own--can I book a flight?). The author brilliantly intersperses some walks throughout, as well--which I would absolutely avail myself of were I a tad bit closer. This was a great way to get a birds-eye view of London and its rich history, art, and architecture.

I do wish that photographs were also included, but the illustrations more than make up for it.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I have to admit that I haven't tried to use this book in London as I live somewhere far away. I know London a little and can imagine that this would be a good present for someone who wants to get to know the capital, especially if they live locally and have time, say at weekends, to spare. Another comment would be that you really need to own this book as a hard physical copy as it really doesn't work well in digital format.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. This was an interesting read and I enjoyed the unusual and off the beaten paths to find the the places in London. I liked the drawings as well.