Jim Watson – illustratör

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Devon is many people's idea of the ideal country place to live. But the county is far more than a country idyll set in an equitable climate. Whatever you like to do outdoors you'll find all you need in here. Some counties are pleased to boast one National Park, but Devon contains two: all of Dartmoor and a significant third of Exmoor. Unique in England, the county also boasts two separate and distinct coastlines, with some of the best beaches in the southwest. You can tramp across wild moorland and walk along the South West Coast Path; or east from Exmouth on the south coast and explore the beginning of the geological treasure house, the Jurassic Coast. Devon also has some of Britain's most-loved seaside resorts, historic towns and cities; picturesque villages set in gentle hedged landscapes crossed by narrow winding roads; and some of the best sailing and boating centres in the southwest. Truly, it has something for everybody. The author has been visiting and enjoying Devon for well over 40 years and researching this book enabled him to renew acquaintances with old friends and to discover new places that he looks forward to visiting again.Most of his favourite locations were largely unchanged. Devon has a timelessness that's reassuring and comforting, especially if you live in a part of the country that's rapidly changing. Devon Sketchbook will guide you to a plethora of favourite places along the north and south coasts of the county, plus some in the Exmoor and Dartmoor National Parks. It will tell you how to get there, where you can park and what to look out for. It's intended to inform, entertain and, if you're a visitor, give you something to enjoy when you're back home. With more than 180 of the author's line and watercolour illustrations, 66 hand drawn maps and in colour throughout, Devon Sketchbook is a unique guidebook and souvenir of this remarkable county. Beautifully bound in hardback, it also makes the perfect gift.

London is a great city for walking, whether for pleasure, exercise or simply to get from A to B. Despite the city's extensive transport system, walking is also often the quickest way to get around - at least in the centre - and it's also free and healthy! We hope that you find our 'secret' walks as rewarding and enjoyable as we did.