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London Sketchbook is a unique guide to the most celebrated landmarks of one of the world’s major cities. In ten easy walks it takes you on a fascinating journey around the most famous of London’s huge variety of vistas, with identification of the panoramic views and relevant historical background along the way.

     Jim Watson’s illustration technique is traditional line and wash, but his approach is that of a curious neighbour, seeking out the scenes which give each area its individual character – while keeping a keen eye open for the quirky and unusual.

London is one of the world’s great cities, steeped in two thousand years of history and rich in culture, architecture and agreeable surprises – often just around the corner.

     It was a privilege for me to spend summer days walking the routes in this book, enjoying the famous sights while bursting with pride at my capital city. The winter months were spent trying to capture the scenes in line and watercolour. Notes accompanying the illustrations provide some historical background and useful facts and figures.

     The suggested walks take in all the famous landmarks which are relatively close to each other, so none of the routes exceeds four miles in length. They begin and end at underground stations, the circular walks at the same station.

     There are of course many ways to get around London but I find the tube most convenient. It’s also exciting to emerge from the underground not sure what you’re about to see. You emerge, blinking at the sunlight, and are swept along in a great swell of humanity to perhaps the first sight of an iconic scene you may have previously seen only in a photograph. The scale can be unexpected and oddly moving, the Albert Memorial for example. Or the unexpected intimacy of the great financial edifices gathered around that tiny square in front of the Bank of England. The pleasures of London are many and varied but few are such good value for money as just looking. 

     You could easily complete all the walks in a week of good weather – believe me, it does happen – anything is possible in London! You’ll never be far from a cafe or a pub and one of the delights of the city is to linger awhile and watch the world go by. You’ll certainly see people from most parts of the globe. 

     I do hope you enjoy this book and the scenes that inspired it, and that they give you as much pleasure as they always give me whenever I visit ol’ London town.

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