Book: Secret London - Jonglez Guides

Although we don't usually condone the use of the word 'secret' within travel writing due to the paradox, this week we review the new Jonglez Guide to 'Secret London' and didn't think it was half bad either! Although the places written about in the guide are in no way secret, they definitely are off the beaten track, which is why we are happy to say that the guidebook has shot right into our top reads this year!

As the author, Rachel Howard, mentions in the preface to the guide, the book is a way of exploring a very present side to London that is rarely featured within mainstream channels. Although not always the best side to London, Howard shares her quirky finds like greasy spoon Thai caffs with delicious Pad Thai, or the place where official London cabbies stop to have a cuppa and biccies, as well as the only bar to have thrown out Kate Moss and ex-boyfriend, Pete Doherty, for dancing on tables!

We loved the straightforward descriptions spiced up with a little historical trivia about each place, and the selection of establishments is new to us - despite being Londoners ourselves! To conclude, we wouldn't recommend this guidebook to the London virgin, but would definitely include it in the must-reads for 'level 2' London visitors or locals who want to venture a little deeper into real London bohemia.