David Hampshire – författare

Fully updated and revised second edition. Now printed in colour.

London is one the world's greenest capital cities, with a wealth of places where you can relax and recharge your batteries. Britain is renowned for its parks and gardens, and nowhere has such beautiful and varied green spaces as London: magnificent royal parks, historic garden cemeteries, majestic ancient forests and woodlands, breathtaking formal country parks, expansive commons, charming small gardens, beautiful garden squares and enchanting 'secret' gardens.

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.

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.

Whether you’re a nature lover, amateur horticulturist or a keen walker – or just seeking a bit of peace and quiet away from the stresses of life – you’ll find the 20 green walks in this book immensely enjoyable. All you need is a stout pair of shoes, a sense of adventure – and this book.

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.

Written in an entertaining style, Living and Working in Britain 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 Britain has been written to meet the needs of anyone wishing to know the essentials of British life - however long your intended stay, you'll find the information contained in this book invaluable. Living and Working in Britain is the only up to date book currently published for those planning to live or work in Britain (the United Kingdom). It contains up to twice as much information as similar books and is essential reading for newcomers.

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.

Not surprisingly in a city as old and rich in history as London, there's a wealth of public monuments, statues and memorials: in fact London probably has more statues than any other major city in the world. It's streets, squares, parks and gardens are packed with monuments to kings and queens, military heroes, politicians and local worthies, artists and writers, and notables from every walk of life - including a few anti-heroes such as Cromwell and Wat Tyler. Many monuments celebrate great victories - not surprisingly - but there are also those that recall less momentous events, and even some that we may wish to disown today Everywhere you look in London there are statues to be seen: there are literally hundreds of major artworks. Many subjects remain famous (or infamous), some once-famous, while others are obscure and known only locally - but all contributed to this great city and nation in some way and most are deserving of their place in history. Some are works of art, others less so, but most are worthy in some way. What's more, we haven't just included statues and monuments, but also magnificent fountains, wall reliefs, street art and furniture, graffiti and murals, and more. Our 20 walks take in most of the city's great monuments, statues and memorials, but also many obscure, but no less interesting, other public works of art. All you need to enjoy them 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.

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 Escapes contains 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 – with something to suit every taste.

Hidden London takes you off the beaten tourist path to discover over 100 of London's hidden attracts, including historic churches and other ancient buildings; secret gardens and long `lost’ cemeteries; fascinating small museums and galleries; atmospheric pubs and stunning hotels; cutting-edge art and design, and much more.

When you want to escape for a few days, Britain offers a wealth of cities and towns where you can treat yourself to a well-deserved break at any time of the year. Great British Weekend Escapes contains 70 enticing getaways.

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. However, if you know where to look London has a wealth of peaceful places, over 200 of which are included in this book.

Living and Working in London, first published in 2000 and now in its 6th edition, is the most comprehensive book available about daily life - and is essential reading for newcomers. What's it really like Living and Working in London? Not surprisingly there's a lot more to life than bobbies, beefeaters and busbys! This book is guaranteed to hasten your introduction to the London way of life, irrespective of whether you're planning to stay for a few months or indefinitely. Adjusting to day-to day-life in London just got a whole lot simpler!

Second volume of our best-selling series, London's Hidden Secrets. Most of the entries are 'unique' and not covered in other books. Contains more photos and information than similar books, plus full-colour maps. Interest in London in 2012 (Olympics) is expected to soar, along with the sales of London books.

London's wealth of world-class attractions are renowned and covered in numerous excellent general tourist guides. Not so well known are London's numerous smaller attractions, most of which are neglected by the throngs who descend upon the tourist-clogged major sights. What London's Secret Places does is seek out the city's lesser-known, but no less worthy, 'hidden' attractions.

A Year in London is an exhaustive guide to 365 days in one of the most exciting, inspiring, beguiling, engaging cities in the world. So whether you are seeking something to prise you off the sofa on a Sunday afternoon or a diversion to keep the kids amused, entertaining an out-of-town friend or trying to impress a special date, A Year in London will show you the way.

London Best-Kept Secrets brings together the 'greatest hits' from our London's Secrets series. We take you off the beaten tourist path to seek out the more unusual ('hidden') places that often fail to register on the radar of both visitors and residents alike.

London for Foodies, Gourmets & Gluttons is much more than just a directory of cafes, markets, restaurants and shops; it features many of the city's best artisan producers and traders, plus a wealth of classes where you can learn how to prepare and cook food like the experts, appreciate fine wines and brew coffee like a barista. And when you're too tired to cook or just want to treat yourself, we'll show you great places where you can enjoy everything from tea and cake to a tasty street snack; a pie and a pint to a glass of wine and tapas; a quick working lunch to a full-blown gastronomic extravaganza. Researching London for Foodies, Gourmets & Gluttons has been a voyage of discovery, a culinary adventure and a sheer pleasure. In seeking out the city's best artisan producers and purveyors we have left no stone unturned. Our epicurean journey has taken us to trendy cafes, cosy tearooms and amazing street food vendors; stunning food halls and bustling markets; innovative restaurants and atmospheric gastropubs; the very best wine, beer and spirit merchants; and fascinating classes that teach every foodie skill from butchering a pig to tempering chocolate and enjoying fine wine.Like most Londoners, we knew that the quality and variety of food and drink on offer in the capital had improved beyond all recognition in recent decades, but we were still amazed at just how much the city's gastronomic landscape had changed. The days are long gone since London's culinary scene - and British food in general - was the subject of international contempt and ridicule. The city has seen a foodie revolution in the last 20 years and now offers a choice and quality of food that's the equal of any city in the world, including ingredients from almost every country on the planet, from asafoetida to za'atar. In London, the world really is your oyster - it's also your bagel, bammy, chaat, dim sum, enchilada, falafel, injera, kimchi, lahmacun, pierogi, raclette, ravioli, satay or tapa! All have been introduced by immigrants and eagerly devoured by a grateful population eager for gastronomic adventure. Just as much as its inventive chefs and Michelin-starred restaurants, it's London's incredible ethnic diversity that makes it such an exciting place to eat (and cook and shop).So whether you want to revitalise your jaded palate, increase your culinary repertoire, expand your foodie knowledge or experience the ultimate in fine dining - or maybe you're just hungry - you're bound to find inspiration in London for Foodies, Gourmets & Gluttons.

The number and variety of independent cafes in London hasflourished in recent years and if London never had a cafe culture a few decadesago, it certainly does now! The quality and variety of food and drink on offer hasalso improved beyond recognition in the last few decades, with many cafes' nowserving food that's indistinguishable from a quality restaurant - except when it come tothe bill - which is invariably much lower. In fact if you want to eat a greatlunch (and increasingly dinner too) in London and don't want to pay a fortune,a cafe is your best bet. Coffee sales in Britain have expanded rapidly in the lastdecade, along with the growing number of independent (and chain) coffee shops. Britain'slove affair with the bean has gone, quite literally, from strength to strength;not so many years ago it was difficult to find a cafe serving anything butinsipid filter coffee, but now fresh bean-powered brews are everywhere, thanksin huge part to a legion of expat baristas and roasters from Down Under.The British are famous for their love of a good cuppa(tea) - which, as every Brit knows, cures all ills - although nowadays it's justas likely to be a delicate white, energising green, aromatic and complexOolong, or a mysterious aged Puer, as builder's brew. London has an abundanceof specialist tearooms - many with expert 'tearistas' (tea baristas) on hand toadvise you - where you can enjoy fine teas in a delightful traditional setting. Tea is also a vital component of the quintessentially Englishdiversion of afternoon tea, with London's premier hotels - plus manyrestaurants, cafes and tearooms - vying to produce the most lavish and originalafternoon tea, consisting of exquisite teas and divine cakes, pastries andsavouries - and optional champagne. If there's one meal that the British can claim their own,it's the great British cooked breakfast, which is world-famous. Thistraditionally takes the form a huge fry-up - the full English - but nowadaysit's just as likely to include a wealth of tasty and original dishes withinfluences from around the globe. Likewise brunch - a combination of breakfastand lunch - which Londoners have taken to with a passion in recent years.Nowadays many top restaurants, hotels and cafes specialise in brunch,particularly at weekends.With a copy of London'sCafes, Coffee Shops & Tearooms - featuring over 250 venues - you'llnever be lost for somewhere to enjoy a great cup of coffee or tea and somedelicious food. We hope you enjoy discovering the city's burgeoning cafeculture as much as we did.

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.

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."

The Best of London is essential reading for newcomers and the perfect introduction to all this glorious city has to offer. Considered by many to be the most exciting, inspiring and coolest metropolis in the world, London offers something for everyone.