London For Dummies

Description

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 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