London is a city with a cornucopia of secret places, being ancient, vast and in a constant state of flux. Newcomers have, of course, a wealth of world-renowned attractions to keep them occupied for a month of Sundays, which are more than adequately covered in a plethora of standard guide books. What Secret London does is take you off the beaten path to seek out the more unusual places and sidestep the chaos and queues of London's tourist-clogged attractions and visit its quirkier, more mysterious side. Featured places includes some of the city's loveliest buildings, secret gardens, bizarre museums, 'lost' graveyards, medieval pubs, cutting-edge art and design, and much more.

London is one of the world's most exciting cities, but it's also one of the noisiest; a bustling, chaotic, frenetic, over-crowded, manic metropolis of over 8 million people, where it can be difficult to find somewhere to grab a little peace and quiet. Nevertheless, if you know where to look London has a wealth of peaceful places - places to relax, chill out, contemplate, meditate, sit, reflect, browse, read, chat, nap, walk, think, study or even work (if you must) - where the city's volume is muted or even switched off completely. Peaceful Places contains over 200 of the author's and his friends', colleagues' and acquaintances' favourite locations throughout the city, from restful gardens and serene churches to silent libraries and inspiring galleries; intimate hotels to blissful spas and cosy caf s; smart shops and atmospheric markets to appealing restaurants and charming tea rooms; quiet museums and sweeping parks to relaxing walks and friendly pubs - and much more. Moreover, these places haven't just been selected for their quietude but also for their excellence: every entry has something special to offer, be it a warm welcome, excellent food/drink, fascinating history, attractive ambience, glorious scenery or tempting goods for sale. Peace is a relative term, however, and not all places are whisper-quiet all the time; even churches have bell-ringing and organ practice, and many parks host noisy school parties and sports events. You can, of course, expect bookshops, libraries, galleries, museums and spas (and churches and parks!) to be tranquil most of the time, but even caf s, restaurants, pubs and bars can be surprisingly quiet - although you may need to time your visit a little more carefully. With regard to the latter, we have chosen venues with gardens, terraces, panoramic views and cosy corners - places where you can find a bit of personal space and grab some 'me' time along with your refreshments. So whether you're seeking a place to recharge your batteries, rest your head, revive your spirits, restock your larder or refuel your body; somewhere to inspire, soothe or uplift your mood; or you just wish to discover a part of London that's a few steps further off the beaten track, Peaceful Places will steer you in the right direction.

Samuel Johnson famously observed that 'when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life' and no one would deny that the city is an exciting and stimulating place to live, offering a wealth of diversions. However, even old Sam would no doubt agree that sometimes you need a change of scenery - to escape the city's constant hustle and bustle and visit somewhere with a gentler, slower and quieter pace of life. When you yearn for some bracing sea air or wish to commune with nature, experience life in an idyllic village or imagine you're lord of the manor, get up close and personal with some exotic wildlife or treat the kids to an exhilarating day out, London Escapes will point you in the right direction. Containing over 70 great day trips, from historical towns and charming villages to magnificent stately homes and gardens; nostalgic seaside resorts and lovely beaches to spectacular parks and nature reserves - whether you're seeking relaxation or adventure, town of country, ancient or modern, we have the perfect day out for you. A plethora of tour operators offer coach trips to major attractions from London - including some of the destinations featured in this book - or you can travel by private car. However, we believe in letting the 'train take the strain', which is the most relaxing and often the fastest way to travel. All the places highlighted can be reached in under two hours by train (or car) and many in under an hour - usually by direct trains. Travelling by car usually takes longer and you also have the problem and added expense of parking. However, some destinations, particularly those without a direct rail link from London, are easier to reach by car (and one - Woburn Safari Park - is only accessible by car), which also allows you to tour an area and visit nearby attractions at the same time. A good day out deserves a good lunch and London Escapes contains recommendations - historic pubs, relaxing restaurants and cosy cafes - where you can be assured of a tasty meal. Many venues - such as stately homes, gardens and theme parks - also have on-site cafes/restaurants and provide dedicated picnic areas. So, why not escape the city for a day and explore the exciting world just an hour or two from your doorstep? We trust that you will enjoy discovering it as much as we did.

The British are famous for their eccentricities and London is no exception, with an abundance of bizarre and curious places and stories. Newcomers to London have a wealth of world-famous attractions to keep them occupied for a month of Sundays, which are more than adequately covered in a plethora of standard guidebooks. What Eccentric London does is take you off the beaten path to seek out the more unusual places that often fail to register on the radar of both visitors and residents alike, while also highlighting unexpected and often overlooked aspects and attractions of some of London's more famous tourist sites. Eccentric London includes some of the city's most unusual buildings, striking public artworks, outrageous museum and gallery exhibits, hauntings (human and animal), legends and much more. Entries range from Britain's oldest door to the beginning of body-snatching, from dummy house fa ades to London's unluckiest spot, from a legal brothel to the capital's most haunted theatre, and from the original skull and crossbones to what has a strong claim to be London's campest statue. We hope you enjoy discovering the bizarre and curious secrets of London as much as we did.

Whether you're already living or working in Switzerland or just thinking about it - this is THE BOOK for you. Forget about those glossy guide books, excellent though they are for tourists; this book was written especially with you in mind and is worth its weight in Emmental cheese (and not just the holes!). Furthermore, this fully revised and updated 15th edition is printed in colour. Living and Working in Switzerland has been written to meet the needs of anyone wishing to know the essentials of Swiss life - however long your intended stay, you'll find the information contained in this book invaluable. In contrast to the wealth of information provided by Switzerland Tourism, reliable and up-to-date information specifically intended for foreigners living and working in Switzerland isn't so easy to find - particularly in English. Our aim in publishing this book was to help fill this void and provide the comprehensive, practical information necessary for a relatively trouble-free life. You may have visited Switzerland as a tourist, but living and working there's a different matter altogether. Adjusting to a different environment and culture and making a home in any foreign country can be a traumatic and stressful experience - and Switzerland is no exception. Living and Working in Switzerland is a comprehensive handbook on a wide range of everyday subjects and represents the most up-to-date source of general information available to foreigners in Switzerland. It isn't, however, simply a catalogue of dry facts and figures, but a practical and entertaining look at life. Adjusting to life in a new country is a continuous process, and although this book will help reduce your novice phase and minimise the frustrations, it doesn't contain all the answers (most of us don't even know the right questions to ask!). What it will do, however. is help you make informed decisions and calculated judgements, instead of uneducated guesses and costly mistakes. Most importantly, it will help save you time, trouble and money, and repay your investment many times over. Although you may find some of the information a bit daunting, don't be discouraged. Most problems occur only once and fade into insignificance after a short time (as you face the next half a dozen - ). Most foreigners in Switzerland would agree that, all things considered, they love living there. A period spent in Switzerland is a wonderful way to enrich your life, broaden your horizons, and, with any luck (and some hard work) you may even make your fortune. I trust this book will help you avoid the pitfalls of life in Switzerland and smooth your way to a happy and rewarding future in your new home.

London has a fascinating and turbulent 2,000-year history, during which it has been burnt down several times, rebuilt, bombed in two world wars and rebuilt again. Despite, the ravages of time and conflicts (and developers!), the city has enough world-famous attractions to keep the average visitor or resident occupied for a month of Sundays. These are more than adequately covered in a wealth of standard guide books; what Hidden London does is take you off the beaten path - side-stepping the city's tourist clogged major sights - to seek out its more unusual charms and esoteric, mysterious side. Like our sister titles, London's Hidden Secrets and London's Secret Places, Hidden London contains a wealth of fascinating attractions - 110 in total - in all corners of the city and its environs, many of which are relatively unknown except to a small group of locals and insiders. Inside you'll discover a wealth of historic churches and other ancient buildings; 'secret' parks and gardens and long 'lost' cemeteries; fascinating small museums and galleries; atmospheric pubs and stunning hotels; cutting-edge art and design, and much more. Hidden London isn't intended as a walking guide, although many of the places covered are close to one another in central London - notably in the hubs of Westminster and the City - where you can easily stroll between them, while some are out in the suburbs. However, most are close to public transport links and relatively easy to get to. What's more the vast majority are free, so there's no excuse for not getting out there and exploring. With a copy of Hidden London to hand to inspire you, you need never be bored in London. We hope you enjoy discovering the city's hidden treasures as much as we did.

No city in the world has such a rich diversity of beautiful green spaces as London - which cover almost 40 per cent of Greater London - providing a wealth of opportunities to exercise and commune with nature year round. The capital's green bounty includes magnificent royal parks, historic garden cemeteries, majestic ancient forests, breath-taking formal country parks, expansive commons, elegant squares and enchanting 'secret' gardens, many known only to insiders and locals. London's living network of parks and gardens, commons and woodlands, canals, rivers and reservoirs, is vital to the health and well-being of Londoners (and visitors!) and makes an invaluable contribution to the quality, character and economy of the capital. It also provides food and refuge for the city's flora and fauna, which - despite living alongside some 8.25 million people - is extraordinary in its abundance, variety and scope. So, whether you're a nature lover, amateur horticulturist or an enthusiastic walker, or all three - or just seeking a bit of peace and quiet away from the stresses of life - you'll find our 20 green walks immensely rewarding. All you need is a stout pair of shoes, a sense of adventure - and this book. We hope you find them as enjoyable and rewarding as we did.

Written in an entertaining style, Living and Working in Germany is designed to provide newcomers with the practical information necessary for a relatively trouble-free life. It contents include finding a job, permits & visas, health, accommodation, finance, insurance, education, shopping, post office and telephone services, public transport, motoring, TV and radio, leisure, sports and much, much more. It is packed with essential information and insider tips to help minimize culture shock and reduce the newcomers rookie period to a minimum. Living and Working in Germany has been written to meet the needs of anyone wishing to know the essentials of German life however long your intended stay, you ll find the information contained in this book invaluable. General information isn t difficult to find in Germany (provided you speak German!) and a multitude of books are published on every conceivable subject. However, reliable and up-to-date information in English specifically intended for foreigners living and working in Germany isn t so easy to find, least of all in one volume. This book was written to fill this void and provide the comprehensive practical information necessary to help you feel at home. You may have visited Germany as a tourist, but living and working there is a different matter altogether. Adjusting to a different environment and culture and making a home in any foreign country can be a traumatic and stressful experience and Germany is no exception. Living and Working in Germany is the most up-to-date source of general information available for foreigners in Germany. However, it isn t simply a monologue of dry facts and figures, but a practical and entertaining look at life. First published in 2000 and now in its 5th (fifth) edition, it s the only up-to-date book currently published for those planning to live or work in Germany. It contains up to twice as much information as similar books and is essential reading for newcomers."

What's it really like Living and Working in France? Not surprisingly there's a lot more to life than baguettes, berets and boules! This book is guaranteed to hasten your introduction to la vie francaise, irrespective of whether you're planning to stay for a few months or indefinitely. Adjusting to day-to day-life in France just got a whole lot simpler! The most comprehensive and best-selling book about living in France since it was first published in 1993, containing up to twice as much information as some similar books.

London is a treasure trove for museum fans and art lovers and one of the world's great art and cultural centres, with more popular museums and galleries than any other world city. The art scene is a lot like the city itself - diverse, vast, vibrant and in a constant state of flux - a cornucopia of traditional and cutting-edge, majestic and mundane, world-class and run-of-the-mill, bizarre and brilliant. So, whether you're an art lover, culture vulture, history buff or just looking for something to entertain the family during the school holidays, you're bound to find inspiration in London.

Many people are familiar with London's River Thames, but the city has much more to offer when it comes to waterways, including a wealth of canals, minor rivers (most are tributaries of the Thames), lakes and reservoirs that offer tranquil and beautiful walks. Many waterways have dedicated walking and cycling paths alongside them, notably the Thames Path which follows the entire course of the river, and London's canals, where the former towpaths along which horses towed the canal boats are now reserved for walkers and cyclists. London's minor rivers - secret waterways - are not always so easy to follow, as they wend their way along streets, through parks and even underground, but are a wonderful way to get off the beaten track and commune with nature. Most walks are between 3 and 7 miles in length, with the average around 41/2 miles. However, it's best to allow a half day for the shorter walks and as much as a full day for the longer walks - particularly if you plan to partake of the many excellent pubs, restaurants and caf s along the routes (for your author, a good lunch is a prerequisite of a good walk) - not to mention the many diversions along the way, such as museums, galleries and churches. Our aim was to take the 'scenic route', visiting as many interesting landmarks as possible, rather than simply getting from A to B. Writing London's Waterside Walks has been a fascinating, edifying and enjoyable adventure. We hope that you enjoy these walks as much as we did; all you need is a comfortable pair of shoes, a sense of adventure - and this book!

London is a vast metropolis with a population of over 8.5 million people and a history stretching back two millennia. However, unlike more modern cities, London was never planned as a major city but has grown over the centuries to absorb numerous historic towns and villages. Many of these are now bustling cosmopolitan areas such as Bloomsbury and Notting Hill, while others, such as Barnes and Dulwich, are more rural and retain their original charm and character. It’s hard to imagine nowadays, but in the 18th and 19th centuries, people were farming in Islington and fishing in Chiswick! Nevertheless, if you’re seeking a village vibe – a village green, small local shops, an ancient church and graveyard, even a pond beside a pub – you can still find them in London if you know where to look. Modern London is made up of a rich tapestry of ancient villages, just waiting to be discovered. London’s Village Walks takes you around 20 of the city’s most interesting and best preserved villages, where – with a little imagination – it’s possible to imagine you’re still living in a bygone age.