Time Out Guides Ltd - Time Out London

Whatever you expect from this city, London is going to give you something different. Youre looking for tradition? Shoreditch is full of tomorrows music and art from the day after that, traditional pubs transformed into hip clubs, reckless hats and all manner of posing. You want a contemporary city? Less than a mile south of Shoreditch, gruff, scarlet-coated residents of a small 11th-century castle still guard the Crown Jewels. In between Shoreditch and the Tower of London, City bankers pocket the bonuses that accrue to the beneficiaries of modern international banking, yet turn out in thousands for the annual inauguration of the Square Miles own Lord Mayor, paraded in a 250-year-old gold carriage through the original walled City that was the foundation of todays London.

The 2009 instalment of the Lord Mayors Show wasnt a total success. For the first time in more than two decades, the traditional Thames firework display that follows the pageant had to be cancelled due to horrendous winds and rain. In light of the years bitter recession, might this be an ill omen? Definitely not if youre coming to London on holiday: hotel prices have begun to fall, and the shops seem to be running an endless sale. Yes, a number of prized restaurants have closed, but the range of options and the displays of culinary skill that have survived the downturn still dazzle. And the capitals cultural riches half a dozen world-class museums that charge nothing for entry, extraordinarily lively music, art, dance, theatre and nightclubs seem untouchable. There are other cities in the world that rival London, but not many.

Perhaps youre returning to London? Much has changed. You could plug into the secret dining scene, for example, or find out what molecular gastronomy has done to cocktails. You could sleep in the designers house in scruffy east London thats attracted artists and movie stars. Perhaps youre visiting London for the first time? Your only problem is working out what you can afford to miss. Which World Heritage Site gets crossed off the must-see list? Do you do the V&A or the British Museum? Wheres best to sample modern British cooking? This book was put together to help you decide. Every word was written by locals who love their city, in the hope it might guide you to excellent adventures. Simon Coppock, Editor