Local Legends

London’s best pub tour guide and host of the celebrated Liquid History Tours leads readers off the beaten path and through the doors of some of the least celebrated but most wonderfully authentic pubs England’s capital city has to offerIt’s not hard to locate London’s iconic pubs, where Chaucer wrote, Shakespeare performed, or Dickens penned a novel. What’s more difficult and, argues John Warland, ultimately more rewarding, is finding that special pub that has just the right vibe; the pub that’s tucked away far from the maddening crowds of tourists and noisy out-of-towners; that almost mythical pub that you’ll want to return to on a rainy evening, or show off to your friends. These are the hidden gems that Warland introduces you to in his newest pub guide. Spanning every corner of London from the city center to its outer limits and beyond, these watering holes are permeated by personality and a passion for traditional hospitality. While the interiors might not boast architectural wonders or famous artwork, their unique qualities are brought to life through Horst Friedrichs’ stunning photography, which illuminates their character and charm, their idiosyncratic hosts and patrons, the menus scrawled on chalkboard, the proudly polished brass, worn leather stools, cozy booths, and quirky artifacts. Warland is a delightfully engaging companion, but the pubs are the stars of this invaluable book that’s as informative as it is collectible.