In an age of behemoth brands, visiting local independent shops has never been more rewarding - or important. London has an army of small owner-run indies and we've picked the very best. From artisan delis to stationery hubs, these shops are champions of friendly service and expert knowledge. Go out, support and enjoy. The book includes 54 shops and is packed with original photography, insider tips and interviews with the owners.

This guidebook presents 25 varied walks exploring London's green and open spaces. Covering both the city centre and the Greater London area, it takes in royal parks, heaths, forests, canals and rivers, including Epping Forest, Hampstead Heath, the World Heritage site of Kew Gardens and Wimbledon Common. Walks range from 4 to 14 miles and most can be accessed by public transport. Alongside detailed route descriptions and OS mapping, the book features practical information on parking, public transport and refreshments. Each walk showcases a particular species of wildlife that you might encounter, and there is fascinating background information the history and conservation of the capital's wild spaces. London is a city of 8 million people and 8 million trees, and its vast open spaces are home to 13,000 species of wildlife. This book is an ideal companion to exploring a greener, more gentle side to the city.

'A fully comprehensive guide . . . includes information and tips that even the park officers do not know about!' - What's on in London 'The Best of London Parks is a guide to more than 70 green spaces, with details of all their sporting facilities: from horse riding to Aussie rules football' - The Times London is one of the green cities in the world with thousands of acres of parks. There is a wealth of inexpensive, top quality facilities in the Parks that are often not known about even by the people who live near to them. These include numerous sports such as tennis, rugby, football, golf and bowls. There are gyms and athletics tracks, free playgrounds and paddling pools for children and clubs for their parents to meet and relax together. Every park in central London is covered. For each of these famous parks, there is a chapter detailing their history and all they have to offer. The chapters have something for all interests from the price of bacon butties, to rare goats (with frost-proof ears), to tennis courts, to boating. The information includes a brief historical background, how to get to the park, the opening times of all facilities and costs. Each park has a list of highlights and nearby places of interest and the larger parks include a map.

Brings together extensive research and practical experience to prove the opportunities and benefits of open spaces to society and individuals.