From the aerial view of St Paul's, across the Thames to the Globe Theatre, then back to the East End restaurants and the designer bars of Soho, London has never stopped evolving. This full-colour guide reveals the city's top spots.

• 25 detailed maps and plans of key sights
• the city's best eating options, from fish and chips to tea at the Ritz
• hundreds of places to stay, from budget hostels in Bayswater to boutique hotels in the West End
• special sections on London's vibrant markets and cutting-edge contemporary architecture
• day trips out of the capital, including Windsor, Cambridge and Brighton