London Pocket Map and Guide by Eyewitness Travel begins by informing readers of the best places to visit in London during short visits. The book advises travelers on where to stay to see the most and experience the most in the city.
Inside the Pocket Guide to London
The guide is useful for people who need a reference book that they can keep with them and an overview of what to do and see in London. Each area in the guide is color coded in the front of the guide so that readers can easily turn to the area of their choice. In all, there are 14 areas included in the guide. The 96-page guide is small enough to carry in a small purse or a jacket pocket. The guide, however, packs a wealth of useful information in the pages between its sturdy covers.
There are tiny maps in each section of the guide that will help readers see where sights are located at a glance. While these tiny maps provide an overview of the areas, the accompany fold-out map in the rear of the guide is more specific. The fold-out map lists major sights, train stations, subway stations and where to find tourist information among other information. A separate transportation map is also included in the guide.
A Time-Saving Guide to What to See and do in London
This easy to navigate guide groups popular activities and provides a cross-reference so that readers can read more information on their favorite activities. The listings include the typical museum and galleries, cathedrals and churches, and parks. Perhaps, unique to London, the book also includes ceremonies. Ceremonies for the Tower of London, Horse Guards, and Houses of Parliament are all listed with a short summary of each.
What Should be Seen in London
The guide advises tourists to concentrate on five areas in London, Whitehall and Westminster, The City, Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia, Soho and Trafalgar Square, and Kensington and Chelsea. For each area, the guide presents things to do and what to see in London at a glance. Tiny pictures included with the listings, break up the monotony found in similar tiny guide books.
A Visit to Buckingham Palace
Readers may be surprised to see that they can get the most out of their trip to the popular Buckingham Palace. The guide has a map of the palace and with a summary of the significance of some of the rooms there. A visitor's checklist inform visitors of when to see the changing of the guard ceremony and state rooms. Although the guide tells readers that there is an admission charge, the cost is not listed. A phone number, however, is listed.
Overall View
Overall, the guide gives people who are new to London a starting point. In a pinch, the guide may even be used as a sole guide for short trips. Readers, however, should keep in mind that the guide lists only a few restaurants, pubs and shopping opportunities per area. Hotel listings are not included.
Title: London Pocket Map and Guide
Publisher: DK Eyewitness Travel, 2007
Editors: Derek Hall, Sue Juby
Project Directors: Nicholas Bevan, Derek Hall
ISBN: 978-0-7566-2650-1
