Douglas Adams' London

In the latest literary guide from Herb Lester, we chart 42 locations from the life and work of Douglas Adams. Although best known as author of The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy “trilogy” of five books, in which much of the action happens several hyperspace jumps from the debris of the earth, his work is peppered with London locations, and the city was his home for decades.

From Shepherds Bush to Highgate, we tour streets that Adams knew and cared about, unhappily noting the rampant development of Islington – “Grim concrete monoliths, eyeing the new spaces in Upper Street where they hoped to spawn their horrid progeny” – and the timeless joy of Hyde Park – “Hyde Park is stunning. Everything about it is stunning except for the rubbish on Monday mornings.”

Using all of his books, biographies and fresh research, this guide offers a glimpse of the city through the eyes of a much-missed author.