DC Editor Adam writes…I've been haranguing my London Walks colleagues for their favourite London Bookshops and I'll be sharing their recommendations here on The Daily Constitutional. Be sure to ask them for directions to their favourite bookshops at the end of their London Walks tours!
Award-winning LW guide & Daily Constitutional Associate Editor Kim writes…
There are some great bookshops in London
but don't forget the Museums and Galleries for more specialist interest. And given that I spend more and more of
my life tramping London's streets and learning more and more about our great
City then where better to spend a few hours of book browsing than the Museum of
London shop?
There are plenty of souvenirs here -
serious ones that are usually connected to the current exhibition (Great Fire
of London at the moment) and loads for kids to buy with their pocket money on
school trips - but there is also a great selection of books and they are ALL
about London. So, no need to seek
out the one bookshelf hidden away with "travel" somewhere in the
store, it's just all wonderfully laid out and inviting you in.
What's more the staff are informed and
informative. I've often told them
exactly what I need in the firm belief that the book doesn't yet exist and they
will usually be able to recommend something that at least has exactly the right
chapter for my delight.
The best bit here is that because it's just
a bookstore about London you don't have to go miles to the children's section
as it's right there beside the adults.
And do not under any circumstances turn up your nose at kids'
books. They are fantastically
interesting for the goriest, more disgusting details you could ever want, which
is ideal for all those walks with school groups and families.
The only thing not to love here is that I
never have enough time. I'm on my
way to another job as I pass by or have a deadline to meet with research. One day I will retire and it will all
be waiting for me and it will probably be even bigger and better than now as
the Museum of London is set to move to a more modern and larger building in
Smithfield. I'm looking forward to
it immensely - for the bookstore as much as the exhibits.
The Museum Of London is here…
About your correspondent…
Kim
Kim, who has worked in the House of Commons
and the European Parliament, is another 24-carat Blue Badge Guide: she won the
London Tourist Board's Guide of the Year award in 2001.
Among her favourite London books Kim includes London by Edward Rutherford and the Discovering London series.
A London Walk costs £10 – £8 concession. To join a London Walk, simply meet your guide at the designated tube station at the appointed time. Details of all London Walks can be found at www.walks.com.
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