We were sent a copy of the book for the purpose of review. All thoughts and opinions are our own. This post contains affiliate links.
Living just 20-25 minutes outside of London by train, I often lament upon the fact that I don’t spend more time in the capital. When I do head into the capital, I often check out the more well known landmarks and shops but I’ve recently been thinking it is high time I sought out what more obscure stuff London has to offer.
I recently received London Peculiars | A Guide to the City’s Offbeat Places by Peter Ashley to review. Published by ACC Art Books, it tells the tale of different areas of London with peculiar objects or landmarks. A peculiar can be defined as something that ‘has eccentric or individual variations to the general or predicted pattern’.
With different places mentioned such as Sir Richard Burton’s tent shaped tomb, Postman’s Park and various pubs which all their own unique little quirks, this is a really fascinating read.
I’m determined to explore London more and check out many of these places for myself although the author does mention that some may be temporary so may not still be there should you wish to visit.
The book has eight different sections: London Creatures, London Souls, London Trade, London Moves, London Letters, London Riverside, London Ventilating and London Miscellany. You can be sure that all areas of London are covered inside this guide.
Although mentioned as offbeat places, there are a few places mentioned that I felt were perhaps a little too well known to be included in the book such as Liberty and Spitalfields Market – although I did find the information about them extremely interesting.
The photography included in the book is spectacular and from what I am aware, all the photography included is taken by the author. Each page has a beautiful photo accompanying it which makes it super easy to find it, should you wish to explore the city in more depth.
This is a fantastic guide to the more unique side of London and I love that it is a travel guide with a difference, showcasing the places that general London travel guides may forget to mention. With this book in my hand, I hope to explore London in a little more depth with my family – and see some of these locations for myself. Highgate Cemetery is somewhere I have always wanted to visit so perhaps I will start there. You can buy the book on Amazon too {affiliate link}.
What unique spots in London would you suggest?
Oh my gosh this is definitely my type of book! I love visiting quirky places in London. My boyfriend is a photographer and often comes with me to do street photography when we head into London, so this would be the perfect gift for him! x
It sounds like an interesting book to read. It’s sounds like it has plenty of interesting places I have yet to visit myself and I live in London.
Well done you for finding and sharing this so interesting book. Sounds it has more to offer compare to normal London travel guide
These are the types of places I like to visit. Not the commercial types that are full of tourists and cost a fortune.
As soon as I started reading the post I thought of one person who would love this! Will definitely get this as a gift for a London lover.
That looks like a really interesting book and something my dad would love as he was born in London
This sounds like such an interesting book as I am trying to do some more things off the beaten tracks in London x
I’ve only ever visited London once! Can you believe that? This book would be great for me to look through before we plan our next visit. I love learning about the history of cities.
I am like you, always check out the common landmarks but would be nice to see more peculiar places in the capital.