How to Read London

A crash course in London architecture

How to Read London is a visual guide to understanding the capital’s architecture, tracing its evolution across centuries – now fully updated with new entries. 

**NEW REVISED AND UPDATED EDITION** 

The original and definitive pocket guide to London’s architecture. 

Discover how to ‘read’ London’s buildings and uncover the stories behind the city’s streets. This new edition is fully revised and updated, featuring five brand‑new entries, refreshed chapter introductions and redesigned maps.  

Spanning more than 2,000 years of settlement, London’s built environment is the product of a uniquely organic evolution. From the elegant Georgian squares of the West End to medieval alleys in the City, industrial Victorian landmarks and striking contemporary icons, each building tells part of the capital’s story. 

Through clear explanations and rich visuals, How to Read London helps you: 

• Decode architectural styles and features, from Classical and Gothic to Modern and Postmodern. 
• Understand the forces that shaped the city, from the Great Fire of 1666 to modern regeneration. 
• Explore iconic landmarks and hidden gems across domestic, civic and commercial architecture. 

Explore London’s evolution from imperial capital to global metropolis and gain a fresh perspective on the city – whether navigating its streets or discovering it from home. 

UK Delivery:

• Free delivery on all orders of £10 or more.
• £1.49 delivery fee on orders below £10.
• UK orders are shipped via Royal Mail 2nd Class.

International Delivery:

• Flat rate delivery charges vary by country.

Dispatch and Delivery Times:

• All orders are shipped from our warehouse in Northampton, UK within 48 hours of receipt during working hours.
• UK mainland orders typically arrive within 3-5 working days via Royal Mail 2nd Class.
• International estimated delivery times:
• Europe & Channel Islands: 7 to 10 working days
• USA: 7 to 15 working days
• Rest of the World: 9 to 21 working days

View our full delivery infomation here.