The strong and continuing interest in John Henry Newman, particularly following his beatification by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010 and subsequent canonisation by Pope Francis in 2019, inspired the idea that pilgrims might find it useful to have a guide to places in London associated with him: where he was born, where he grew up, where he spent childhood summers ... places of which he had warm memories, later recalled during his long life.

Compared to Oxford and Birmingham, the English cities with which he is chiefly associated, Newman's London has received relatively little attention, and visitors to the capital seeking information about his life there have hitherto not been given much help. This book is an attempt to remedy that. For the convenience of visitors, it also includes a chapter on places outside of London with Newman connections.

The text is designed to be read for enjoyment as well as for information, and also to provide some background on Newman's life and on his importance in our country's Christian story.