Quiet London

London is one of my favorite places to visit. I confess that my favorite stops are all of the bookstores-I am so delighted by them and fourteen are included in this book. Sometimes, though, I (or you), may want something different, a quiet spot to enjoy. For those times, this book is a most welcome guide.

This title is organized by place type. There are sections on museums, libraries, the outdoors, small shops, galleries, pubs and more. Along with good descriptions, this book has loads of photos. In addition, many of the places are ones that are new to me. For example, what about a visit to the Kelmscott House Museum where you can learn more about William Morris or Doctor Johnson’s House (as in Boswell and) or the Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art? What about some quiet time in the London Library or the Freud Museum and Library? Who knew that there was a Red Cross Garden? And so it goes throughout these pages…so many intriguing places to see. Even those familiar with London may well find some new spots to visit.

I can’t wait to travel to England again. When I do, I will definitely want to take this book with me.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Quarto publishing group for this title. All opinions are my own.

This book is a joy. And basically is my (not-so-)shortlist of places to visit the next time I go to England; while I may not have a trip on the books as of now #pandemic, I suddenly find myself more than ready to remedy that situation!

Each section in _Quiet London_ checks off something on my mental list, whether food, hotel, nature, bookstore, retail, or church. I love it--love, love, love it.

My only wish is that it had more pictures! But, I did thoroughly appreciate how each location did have at least one photo, and included transit and logistical details. A tourist's--or native's--best friend, in book form--especially for the introverts among us (like myself), or those simply looking for a quiet moment to gather their thoughts and reminisce on what they've seen that day. Lovely.

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

Quiet London by Siobjan Wall I enjoyed this book as it gave me ideas for new places to visit when I go back to London (COVID permitting) this fall. I do not believe this travel guide is for everyone who is interested in visiting London. If you are going for the first time, I think it is best to go to the more better-known places on everyone’s bucket list. My wife and I have visited London more than a few dozen times and even lived in the Oxford area for three years and yet I saw places in this book that were new to me. There are wonderful photos, a brief description of the place and more importantly information on how to get there by bus, train or tube, the days and hours open, the cost and the website. So, all in all a very good resource for planning a 3rd or more visit back to London. Its brief and what I can not tell from the e-book is whether the hard copy will be small enough to fit in aa pocket or small bag to carry about.

I love that this book really focuses on day-to-day quiet places in London. Options provided included museums, parks, libraries, places of worship, bookshops, cafés and bars, and others! I have lived in small, rural communities and big, sprawling cities. Having a quiet place to be able to retreat or withdraw to is critical to my wellbeing. In this book, each entry provides the location, information about how to get there, content about the location and beautiful photographs. Even though I am not currently in London, fresh ideas were sparked for the big city where I currently reside. The next time I do go to London, I know now where to find the quiet places!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

Princess Fuzzypants here: London is a big boisterous city. For decades, since my first visit and then living in London, it had been my favourite place in the world. But last visit, it just seemed so jarring and disorganized that it made me decide perhaps, it was time we parted company.

Reading this book and looking at the pictures, I may have to change my mind. What I loved about London was you got all the excitement of the a metropolis but there were so many quiet places where you could find peace. Some of the ones in the book are known to me. Others are “finds”. I especially loved the museums and the off-the=beaten=path destinations that are tucked away in the midst of chaos.

I enjoyed the book so much, I may have to return to London and search out some of these jewels. Five purrs and two paws up.

This is a fantastic idea, wonderfully executed! An entire collection of small, out-of-the-way quiet places in the middle of a bustling metropolis, this is the guide we all need these days. This covers a wide range, from the expected libraries and natural spaces to more unique ideas like public baths and especially cozy shops. Care is taken to indicate how accessible each place is and they are helpfully indexed by location at the end of the book.

This is a great resource for both locals and visitors and has dramatically expanded my list of places to visit for next time!

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

This is an updated edition of the original book published in 2011. If your going to London and want to see some great out of the way places, that won't be filled with lots of tourists with cameras and tour leaders waving umbrellas, this is the book for you. My only negative comment (and this could be because it was an electronic copy) was that many of the photos that accompanied the narrative were partially out-of-focus.

The places to visit are in the following sections: museums, libraries, parks/gardens/reserves, places to relax, places of worship, cemeteries/graveyards, small shops, restaurants/cafes, bookshops, afternoon tea places, galleries, pubs/bars and places to stay.

Since it's less that two hundred pages, it's the perfect travel book to take with you when you travel.

This guide provides information on hidden gems of London. The introduction indicates that the audience for this book is London residents who need to find a place where they can take a break and find a few moments of peace, and this book does exactly that. The book is divided into sections like gardens, museums, libraries, religious spaces, etc. Each page includes a picture and a brief description as well as practical information. The practical information includes the address, phone number, whether or not there is a fee, hours, and how to access the space via public transportation. The description provides a concise summary of the space and why a visitor can find peace there. I think this would be a wonderful gift for someone living in London who would love to find a new space.

This is the guide to less known London places that I would buy if I have to travel there. You read and discover lots of places, museums, houses that you want to visit and didn't know exist.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

A beautiful book with stunning photographs you will want to peruse over and over again. Also, good information if you are planning a trip to London and want to retreat from all the noise of the city.

This is a brilliant book, and best up-to-date guide on London.
Quiet London is a generous introduction to quirky places in the capital that Londoners don't want you to know about.
Featuring specialist libraries, quirky museums, boutiques and gardens the author has laboured to create a unique and detailed guide book.
It was hard to put this book down. Every hotel in London should have a copy.

Full of inspirational ideas and photographs to immerse yourself in an armchair visit to London. I feel quite envious that the author has had the pleasure of encountering these often understated locations but thankfully able to experience them through these pages. As a bonus, the author notes the accessibility of the sites.

Many people will want this book to be a failure – in highlighting unheard-of museums, bookshops, spas and the quieter spots of sanctuary and reflection in one of Europe's loudest cities, if it drums up just a few per cent more of the walk-up to some of these places it could have a major impact. Rebooted since the first edition a decade ago, and thankfully not bearing its post-Covid thoughts too heavily, it's a great travel guide. Every entry gets contact details, bus and tube stop, entry times and if there's a charge, accessibility possibilities and so on, plus a photo and at least one small paragraph on what to expect.

So whether your eye turns to a wee little William Morris museum, or you feel like being restored by a herb garden in Hackney, or even if you'd somehow dismissed Southwark Cathedral as charging admission (guilty), this is all the ins and outs you need to go into some fine places and have the best chance of zoning out.

Several of the entries (the Foundling Museum the first that struck me) have been in similar volumes on hidden, forgotten, fame-lacking and/or free London spots, so expect some overlap. But hey, if the Mithraeum (which I checked out myself this spring) is in multiple books, isn't that an indication that it's worth your time? There were about ten people when we went, partly due to Covid-minded crowd control and low capacity numbers, and that was more than enough to let it qualify for this book at least.

It is quite striking how it has to rely on not being a success, or at least very influential – there's little point in highlighting a tiny suburban garden if the next thing you know there's a queue for entry, or in pointing out the paucity of swimmers at a certain venue only for it to be for those with sharper elbows only weeks later – but if the details are still true and are generally in line with what was printed ten years back, there is still a place for this book to see its contents thrive and yet maintain accuracy. I do think the photos were a bit of a let-down, but I didn't see the full res, brightest imagery. And even if the pics don't all tell a thousand words, the hundred-odd many of the entries live with are more than enough. A strong four stars.

London can be overwhelming and busy, even for tourists, so it is excellent news to find a book filled with relaxing and quiet spaces. This lovely book includes several different choices, including museums, art galleries, gardens and places of worship. There is certainly something for everyone! There are attractive photographs and short, precise descriptions of each place.

I have only been to a few, so I am looking forward to discovering some of these places on my next trip to London!

I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
EDITION Paperback
ISBN 9780711276246
PRICE $18.00 (USD)