Smart Photoguides 
​for City Explorers.

A unique blend of independent, local content, modern design and beautiful photography. 365 items & photographs covering architecture, art & design, culture, entertainment, food & drink, history, leisure & nature and shopping; as well as city calendar, timeline, maps, 24hr, 48hr & 5-day itineraries, notes section and postcards. Hong Kong, London and Shanghai books available. 

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© iakov kalinin

LONDON

London is currently the number one most visited city in the world and it is easy to see why. It is the home of the British Monarchy, the British Government and a global centre of finance, arts, fashion and education. The city’s long history and relative stability, since the Great Fire of London at least, mean that planners have been able to build, rebuild and improve the city, creating a fascinating mix of architectural styles and a large number of beautiful landscaped green spaces.

Settled by the Romans in the 1st Century, London developed on trade and became a magnet for rich and powerful merchants. The global insurance industry was effectively born here in the 16th century in a coffeehouse in the city. The global banking system takes its lead from the Bank of England, set up in the 18th century to raise finance for war with France. The shipping industry was born out of the iron and steel production of the industrial revolution and thrived on the demand for exotic goods among the aristocratic classes.

© london silver vaults

CULTURE

THE CULTURE SECTION HAS 33 ITEMS INCLUDING BOOKSHOPS, COMMUNITIES, HISTORICAL ITEMS, MUSIC AND POETRY.

London is a mix of people from every corner of the globe and different areas have very different cultural influences. Immigration from the 1950s onwards profoundly changed London and brought new languages, foods and artistic influences to the capital. Today, there are hundreds of local communities spread out across the city, each defined by unique characteristics of location, history and people.

© imperial war museum 

HISTORY

THE HISTORY SECTION CONTAINS 43 ITEMS SPANNING 5000 YEARS AND INCLUDES PALACES, MUSEUMS, HOUSES, MONUMENTS, CHURCHES AND SHIPS. ​

London was settled by the Romans in AD43 and the site was chosen for its location on the river. A bridge connecting the north and south banks effectively connected the city with Europe and trade thrived. The decline of the Roman Empire led to the virtual abandonment of the city, although the surrounding areas continued to be inhabited. The city fell into the hands of invaders until it was recaptured by King Alfred The Great. After this time, the city began to reorganise and set up a governance structure. The city became a focus for government activity and laws began to be issued from London. In 1042 English rule was again restored by Edward The Confessor and he commissioned the building of Westminster Abbey. 

© photocritical / shutterstock

NORTH

36 THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN THE NEIGHBOURHOODS OF HIGHGATE, HAMPSTEAD, PRIMROSE HILL, ST. JOHN'S WOOD, REGENT'S PARK, CAMDEN, KING'S CROSS & ISLINGTON. 

© anibal trejo

SOUTH

42 THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN THE NEIGHBOURHOODS OF SOUTHWARK, BERMONDSEY, GREENWICH, CLAPHAM, BATTERSEA, VAUXHALL, LAMBETH & SOUTH BANK

© isokon gallery

ARCHITECTURE

THE ARCHITECTURE SECTION CONTAINS 50 ITEMS SPANNING OVER 500 YEARS OF ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY.

Arguably the greatest influences on London’s long architectural history have been the church and the monarch. Long before the Palace of Westminster we see today had any democratic power, it was a royal palace and home of the King. Westminster Hall was constructed before the Norman Conquest and features a wooden hammerbeam roof.  

​Westminster Abbey was originally constructed in 1050 and rebuilt in 1245 in the gothic style. Lambeth Palace and the Tower of London were built in the 12th century for the church and the king respectively. 

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© pizza express jazz club

ENTERTAINMENT

THE ENTERTAINMENT SECTION CONTAINS 33 ITEMS INCLUDING FILM, MUSIC, SPORT AND THEATRE.

London's entertainment scene has moved on from the public executions, duels and cock fights of the 16th century to offer world-class musicians, actors, sportspersons and comedians. The capital's theatreland is world-famous and many well-known film actors started off 'treading the boards' in London. London was Shakespeare's inspiration and the Globe Theatre, rebuilt to the specifications of the original, stands on the South Bank. 

© ron ellis / shutterstock

LEISURE & NATURE

THE LEISURE & NATURE SECTION CONTAINS 35 CITY ITEMS COVERING HEALTH & BEAUTY, PARKS & GARDENS, RECREATION, SCENIC SPOTS AND WILDLIFE. ​

London is one of the greenest cities in the world and there are no less than eight royal parks within its boundaries. These landscaped spaces provide all sorts of activities and include Bushy Park, Green Park, Greenwich Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Regent's Park, Richmond Park and St James's Park. Wildlife is a particular feature of London parks with St James's Park being home to pelicans and mallards; and Richmond and Bushy Parks being home to red and fallow deer.

©   Clove Club. PA Jorgensen.

EAST

30 THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN THE NEIGHBOURHOODS OF DALSTON, HAGGERSTON, BETHNAL GREEN, SHOREDITCH & WHITECHAPEL. 

© tom's kitchen

SOUTH-WEST

40 THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN THE NEIGHBOURHOODS OF PIMLICO, BELGRAVIA, KNIGHTSBRIDGE, HYDE PARK, CHELSEA, FULHAM & KENSINGTON. 

© NOW gallery

ART & DESIGN

THE ART & DESIGN SECTION CONTAINS 34 ITEMS INCLUDING GALLERIES, HOTELS AND MUSEUMS. ​

As a subject matter, London's long and eventful history has provided artists with plenty of inspiration and there are many famous portraits of the city by artists such as Canaletto and Monet. Over the last several hundred years, London's relative stability (except for the world wars) has enabled the city to build and develop several major artistic institutions that both support the next generation of artistic talent and collect and preserve important works from past generations. 

© lyle's PA jorgensen

FOOD & DRINK

THE FOOD & DRINK SECTION CONTAINS 98 ITEMS INCLUDING RESTAURANTS, CAFES, COCKTAIL BARS, BAKERIES AND FOOD MARKETS.

London has become one of the most exciting cities in the world for food and drink in recent years. Global superstar chefs are queuing up to open restaurants in the city and there has been exponential growth in home-grown talents as well. London's cosmopolitan mix of people has brought both the knowledge of and demand for cuisines from all over the world.  

© floris

SHOPPING

THE SHOPPING SECTION CONTAINS 39 CITY ITEMS COVERING ANTIQUES, ART, BOOKS, CHEESE, FASHION, FLOWERS, PERFUME, TOYS, VINYL AND WHISKY.

London is one of Europe's great shopping destinations. Some of the world's oldest department stores are here and these include Harrods, Selfridges, Liberty and Fortnum and Mason. Central London is filled with well established shopping streets, many of which focus on a particular product. 

© Otto's

CITY

48 THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN THE NEIGHBOURHOODS OF TOWER HILL, CITY OF LONDON, FARRINGDON, CLERKENWELL, HOLBORN & TEMPLE. 

© RIBA. philip vile.

CENTRAL

131 THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN THE NEIGHBOURHOODS OF COVENT GARDEN, BLOOMSBURY, FITROVIA, MARYLEBONE, MAYFAIR, SOHO, LEICESTER SQUARE, ST. JAMES'S & WESTMINSTER. 

© electric cinema

WEST

17 THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN THE NEIGHBOURHOODS OF NOTTING HILL, LADBROKES GROVE, MAIDA VALE, PADDINGTON & BAYSWATER.