Explore this selection of the best guidebooks for London, where every page brings you closer to this captivating city’s vibrant culture and history.
London, the capital city of England and the United Kingdom, is a city that never sleeps. Rich in history, with beautiful surroundings, lots to see and do, and plenty of places to eat and drink, it really is a fabulous place to visit.
London is one of those cities that many people either aspire to visit or haven’t had the opportunity to truly experience some of the hidden treasures, and often this is where a travel book can give you great insight.
So I wanted to share some of the best travel and guide books for London, covering all the bases and everything this incredible city has to offer.
And if you are looking for more reading in and around London, check out these brilliant books to read that are set in and around London.
As always, this post may contain affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, shopping from them may generate small commissions to support the operations of this blog.
Best Travel Books for London
London City Walks
Sometimes, you just want to uncover some of London’s extraordinary sites and stories, and one of the best ways to do that is on foot. This book features 15 short, fascinating walks that let you explore some of London’s world-famous icons.
The walks will take you away from some of the tourist hotspots, allowing you to seek out the hidden highlights and history.
You can find out more about this book here.
DK Eyewitness Top 10 London
This is an updated top-10 book from one of the most common and widely used travel book brands, DK Eyewitness. It breaks down the best of London’s offerings into helpful lists of 10.
You will have the best museums, art galleries, and book highlights as well to give you a few examples. A great resource if you wanted to explore certain aspects of London.
You can find out more about this book here.
Hungry Passport – London Travel Guide – Top 20 things to do
Hungry Passport is a popular YouTube channel that has an abundance of travel videos. The creators have now created travel guides in book form, and this one covers the top 20 things to do in London.
The guide covers everything you need to know and is an ideal resource if you are visiting London for the first time. It will give you the essentials of what to see and do during your trip.
There are also example itineraries to help you make the most of your time there.
You can find out more about this book here.
Lonely Planet Pocket London
Lonely Planet is another popular travel book brand and is usually the first choice for many people seeking guides to their chosen locations. This pocket edition is the ultimate companion for your trip to London.
It showcases the best places to visit and some hidden discoveries waiting for you. You can enjoy some of the popular tourist spots, but the book also highlights other locations that are well worth a visit. A great little guide to have with you during your visit.
You can find out more about this book here.
Kids Travel Guide – London
Many trips involve the kids, and a lot more parents are considering visiting cities with their children. So why not get them involved with sightseeing?
This kid’s travel guide has been created with children in mind. It gives them a chance to learn history, explore the city with you, and become experts during your visit.
It is a fun, easy, and educational guide that will help to expand your kids’ horizons. A great way to get the kids involved.
You can find out more about this book here.
The Rough Guide To London
Sometimes you want to experience a city like a local, and this guidebook is among the most opinionated and entertaining available. The experts will help you explore the royal parks and the cobbled alleyways and find some of the most beautiful locations in and around London.
As well as the usual iconic landmarks during your visit. This is a great guide that could give you something a little different to experience.
You can find out more about this book here.
PrettyCityLondon – Discovering London’s Beautiful Places
If you want to go beyond London’s famous landmarks and discover the hidden gems, then this is the guide for you. From secluded mews and undiscovered cafes to colorful flower markets and tree-lined streets.
This book champions the gentle and serene moments and locations in what can be a very busy, bustling capital city. A great find if you want to go off the tourist track.
You can find out more about this book here.
Liquid History: A guide to London’s Greatest Pubs
You can’t visit a city like London without figuring out where some of the best locations are to enjoy a tipple or two. This book provides you with the history of some of the city’s best pubs. From Shakespeare’s local to Jack the Ripper’s Bar, this is London history with a difference.
You can find out more about this book here.
London: A Travel Guide Through Time
Let time traveler Dr. Matthew Green be your guide to six extraordinary periods in London’s history – the ages of Shakespeare, medieval city life, plague, coffee houses, the reign of Victoria, and the Blitz. Perfect if you are more interested in London’s historical elements.
You can find out more about this book here.
London Activity Book for kids
When you take children to a city, it can often be hard to keep them engaged and interested.
This London Activity book helps to keep them involved with what they are seeing, with lots of activities to keep them amused. With fun facts, mazes, and word searches, there is something for everyone.
You can find out more about this book here.
London Like A Local
London has so much to offer. With beautiful parks, historical sites, and world-famous museums, there is often so much to see and do. But many people love the idea of going beyond the most well-known iconic sites and seeing some of the lesser-known, but equally amazing parts.
London Like a Local will give you everything you need to know and is the perfect companion for seeing London from a different angle.
You can find out more about this book here.
The 500 Hidden Secrets of London
This is an insider’s guide to London with all of the hidden secrets you will be waiting to discover. It is a practical guide to London’s finest and most interesting places, buildings, restaurants, shops, galleries, museums, gardens, cafes, and neighborhoods. A great way to see some of the hidden gems that London has to offer.
You can find out more about this book here.
London Fact Book
If you want to learn a bit more about the city, this London Fact Book is a great way to do so. The history and all of the beautiful, iconic places. A great way to add an educational element to your trip.
You can find out more about this book here.
Lonely Planet London
Lonely Planet is one of the most iconic travel book guides, and this one is a more in-depth version of the earlier pocket guide we shared.
It will showcase everything London has to offer, including the West End, traditional pubs, world-class museums, and everything in between. There is something around every turn in London, and this extensive guidebook will give you everything that you need to know.
You can find out more about this book here.
Only in London
Only in London is a comprehensive illustrated guide to some of the most fascinating and unusual historical sites London has to offer.
From Roman rings to sci-fi skyscrapers, lesser-known museums to ancient costumes, this book will give you everything that London has to offer. A great way to see some of London’s different sites, instead of sticking with the iconic, well-known landmarks.