"Time Out" Shortlist London 2008

Time Out Shortlists Guides 2008: London is quite likely to be the most popular title in this extremely useful series, and as a calling card for the Shortlist books, it is exemplary. Here we have the cream of London's restaurants, shopping, nightlife and entertainments all laid out in highly accessible and concise form. And because the series is annual, it can acquaint the reader with current venues and openings, as well as giving a host of other tips to the reader to ensure we're au courant with all the things that are happening at the moment in this liveliest of great cities (and because of the modest price, most of us will have little objection to buying a new edition in a year's time -- after all, we don't want to turn up at a restaurant or nightclub and find it's closed, do we?).

Of course, it is the sightseeing element which is at the heart of guides such as this, and that is perhaps the most user-friendly aspect of the book, laid out in clear sections with carefully detailed maps and other useful indicators. Another plus factor is the exclusive events calendar, so that those visiting London (and even residents) can make plans. So if you're tempted by the new £30 million Wellcome Collection (a truly fascinating collection of medical memorabilia -- often grisly!), or a visit to see some of the world's greatest actors at the National Theatre on the South Bank or in London's Theatreland, Shaftesbury Avenue, all the wherewithal is here in handy digest size. --Barry Forshaw

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Quick Reviews! - Rated
The Time Out travel guides are amongst the most well written, handy, informative, useful, and overall best guides in the world, with a wide series covering cities and countries across the globe. This edition, relating to London is no exception, giving the reader valuable insight to the city, as well as providing information on the best places to go, monuments to see, and restaurants and bars to visit. Not initially being a fan to these types of guides, being a believer that you should go, be surprised, and experience the world for yourself. However, for less adventurous travellers, families, and couples - no trip to London should be complete without this.

The structure of the book is laid out in an easy to understand manner, with London split up into different districts, a map for each, and subdivided into categories such as places to see, events which are on, shows to see, places to eat etc. The descriptions are simple to follow, and are never boring as many guides can be. There are many photographs of famous buildings and streets to colour the guide, listings for opening and closing times, train time-tables, and even planned daily guides of where to go if you want to be led around. Also, there is a map of the metro system which at first may seem daunting is easy to understand with a little time. This map certainly helps when deciding where to go next and how to get there. If you're heading to London soon for the first time, and are unsure of going it alone, then this guide will act as your... guide.