The London Borough of Lewisham had its origins as far back as the 6th Century when the Jute Leof settled in the area, making it “Leofshema”. The name then evolved into Levesham and then the Lord Manor of Lewisham by the Saxon period. As with much of inner London, it went from pastoral estate to suburban metropolis as London expanded and the Borough of Lewisham was officially … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Lewisham
About John Rabon
GREAT LONDONERS: Samuel Pepys – The Scribe of London
Samuel Pepys is one of the greatest writers in British literary history—and all because he kept a diary. Today, Pepys’ Diary is considered to be the greatest personal account of life and events in 17th Century England. It is a work revered both by literary and historical scholars as a first-hand account of such important moments as the Great Fire of London, the Second Dutch … [Read more...] about GREAT LONDONERS: Samuel Pepys – The Scribe of London
The Tube: Ten Interesting Facts About the Central Line on the London Underground
Earning its name by running through Central London, the Central Line is one of the most important lines in the London Underground. The Central Line started as the Central London Railway in 1900 running east to west through the city. In 120 years of its existence, the Central Line has built up a very interesting history and some great facts to go with it. Combing through the … [Read more...] about The Tube: Ten Interesting Facts About the Central Line on the London Underground
Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Stockwell
Stockwell was once part of a sprawling country estate before the expanding London turned it into a middle-class suburb in the 19th Century. Since that time, Stockwell has seen mixed fortunes, much was rebuilt after World War II and the district became a home to several public housing estates. Part of the larger Borough of Lambeth, Stockwell today offers plenty to see and do … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Stockwell
Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Bloomsbury
Bloomsbury is one of the busiest areas of London and with good reason. Quite a number of the city’s museums are here along with several green spaces and University College London. Bloomsbury was described in the Domesday Book as having hogs and vineyards, though the modern name for the area didn’t appear until the 13th Century. As London grew, Bloomsbury began to develop in … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Bloomsbury
Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Paddington
Most people might associate the name Paddington with a certain bear; in fact, doing the research on this article requires some modifiers to my search to specifically point out that I’m not looking for him. However, the area from which the famous fictional character takes his name has plenty of distinction in itself. Once a medieval parish and then a London borough, the latter … [Read more...] about Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Paddington
Tudor London: Top 10 Tudor Buildings in London
Tudor architecture came about as the final building design style of the medieval period. While the style’s name is attached to the dynasty that began with King Henry VI and ended with Queen Elizabeth, Tudor architecture doesn’t have quite as long a period covering the years from 1500 to 1560 and Elizabethan Style beginning thereafter. There are many hallmarks of Tudor … [Read more...] about Tudor London: Top 10 Tudor Buildings in London
London 101: Where to Go if You Need Help in London
Travel can be adventurous and wonderful, but it also carries its own dangers anywhere in the world—even in London. In case the worst should ever happen, it’s good to be prepared and know where you can find help. Such help can come in many forms from London’s own Emergency Services to the US Embassy. Whether you’ve had your wallet stolen or you need medical attention, we’ve … [Read more...] about London 101: Where to Go if You Need Help in London
Top 10 London: Top Ten “Small” Museums
London certainly as a lot of great museums to visit: The Victoria & Albert Museum, The Natural History Museum, The London Museum, and of course The British Museum. However, there are dozens more museums that might get overlooked because they’re not as large, even though they can be just as fascinating. These museums are dedicated to different facets of British culture, … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: Top Ten “Small” Museums
Terror on the Tube: A History of Disasters on the London Underground
First off, we should point out that despite the horrific title of this article, the Tube is an incredibly safe mode of transportation when you’re in London. However, no safety record is perfect, and the Tube has on rare occasions been the target of terror groups. In fact, the London Underground sees over one billion passengers per year and averages an accident per 300 million … [Read more...] about Terror on the Tube: A History of Disasters on the London Underground
Christmas in London: Top Ten Places for Christmas Shopping in London
Shopping can be a wonderful and hectic activity during Christmastime, even in London. Of course, the city’s shopping centers, markets, and high streets offer plenty of options for Christmas gifts along with decorations galore. If you happen to be in London during the holiday season, we hope you’ll consider one of these ten shopping destinations that are full of Christmas … [Read more...] about Christmas in London: Top Ten Places for Christmas Shopping in London
London History: A Guide to Metroland – The Suburban Expansion of London Brought On By The Tube
Also known as Metro-land, this suburban area north-west of London was a major project by the railway to transform unused land into a series of residential communities. Metroland wasn’t the first time a rail company was instrumental in growing London. In truth, the continued influx of people from the countryside to London in the 19th Century had caused the city’s metropolitan … [Read more...] about London History: A Guide to Metroland – The Suburban Expansion of London Brought On By The Tube
Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Stepney
Stepney is a district in London with an interesting history. Also known as Stepney Green, this area is a part of East London that blew up during the 19th Century as new residents flooded to London for work. This new population was mostly made up of immigrants and low-income workers, shaping the district into a place largely known for poverty, a reputation that changed little … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Stepney
The London Fiver – Five Things to Do in December
The holidays take over Greater London in December, but Christmas events aren’t the only things happening in the city. London has a lot going on during the month of December, and we’ve found quite a few things to do that aren’t necessarily related to Christmas, from great beasts to the chilliest of swim competitions. If you’re looking for London Christmas events, we also have … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Things to Do in December
Fancy a Pint? Ten of London’s Most Beautiful Pubs
When it comes to a good pub, the ale is the thing you’re looking for most, then the food, and then the atmosphere. Of course, the appearance of any pub is an important part of the experience, and whether you’re looking for your new local or visiting from out of town, you want to be in a place that meets your expectations. Plenty of London’s pubs are beautiful places inside … [Read more...] about Fancy a Pint? Ten of London’s Most Beautiful Pubs
On Her Majesty’s Appointment – Shops in London that Serve the Royal Family
A Royal Warrant of Appointment is a special designation to merchants granting them the ability to announce to the world that they sell goods or services to the Royal Family. These warrants may be given out by the Royal Family as a whole or by individual members, specifically the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, and the Prince of Wales. Unsurprisingly as London is the central … [Read more...] about On Her Majesty’s Appointment – Shops in London that Serve the Royal Family
Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and do in Kennington
Kennington has long been a place for gatherings, dating back to ancient times when burial mounds were sacred places to honor the dead. Today the people who assemble in Kennington are most likely there for a cricket match at the Kia Oval where a very different kind of sacred activity is taking place. Kennington as a district has seen its ups and down, swelling in the … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and do in Kennington
The London Fiver – Five Things to Do in London Before Christmas
Christmas is a magical season in cities all over the world and London is no different. From the lights to the festivities, Christmas is all around Greater London and provides locals and tourists with plenty of ways to get into the holiday spirit. To that end, we’ve listed out five different things you should try in London leading up to the holidays. No matter what your mood … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Things to Do in London Before Christmas
London Tube: The Ten Busiest London Underground Stations and their Histories
Transport for London estimates that 1.37 billion people ride the Tube every year moving through the network’s 249 miles of track and 270 stations. And while thousands of people pass through every day going to work, home, out, or just sightseeing, they don’t often reflect on the history of the stations. If you stop for a moment, we think you’ll find that London’s ten busiest … [Read more...] about London Tube: The Ten Busiest London Underground Stations and their Histories
London History: The Foundation of the Women’s Police Service in London
From its initial foundation in 1829 by Sir Robert Peel, the Metropolitan Police Service shared the prevailing attitude of the day that most jobs were not fit for women. The Met remained all-male until, like many organizations and industries across the UK, much of its membership was called up to fight in World War I. The lack of “manpower” to police London’s streets inevitably … [Read more...] about London History: The Foundation of the Women’s Police Service in London
The London Fiver – Five of the Best Places for Christmas Shopping On Your Holiday Visits to London
The mad shopping season of Christmas is upon us. As we venture out of our homes, we brave crowded streets and shopping centers in search of those items that will tell our friends and family how much we love them. London is a shopper’s paradise throughout the year, but things turn up a notch after Halloween ends. The Christmas decorations go up on the high streets, the … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five of the Best Places for Christmas Shopping On Your Holiday Visits to London
Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Merton, London
The Borough of Merton is a more recent creation, born out of the historic parishes of Wimbledon, Merdon, Mitcham, and Merton by the London Government Act of 1963. For centuries, each parish had been part of Surrey, and like much of Greater London, industrialization brought a population and economic boom that saw the future borough swallowed up by the ever-expanding city. … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Merton, London
The History of Jim Henson and the Muppets in London
Jim Henson and the Muppets have long had a history with London. Well before they crossed the Atlantic Ocean, however, the Muppets were a creation of Jim Henson originating in 1955 with Kermit the Frog. For much of the 50s and into the 1960s, Henson’s Muppets (a portmanteau of “marionettes” and “puppets”) featured in late-night talk shows and commercials. It was the advent of … [Read more...] about The History of Jim Henson and the Muppets in London
The London Fiver – Five Things to Do in November
Things certainly start getting colder in London during November, but the city is still smoking hot with events all month long. From Diwali on the Square to the Lord Mayor’s Show, there are plenty of major things happening, but that’s not all. Food, art, and automobiles are also on tap for this month, and we’ve outlined five cool events going on during November that you should … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Things to Do in November
Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to Do in Barking & Dagenham
The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, like other modern London boroughs, was born out of the London Government Act of 1963. It was formed from the Municipal Boroughs of Barking and a large part of the Municipal Borough of Dagenham. Following World War I and World War II, the borough became increasingly residential as housing projects exploded for returning soldiers. As … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to Do in Barking & Dagenham
Londontopia is simply the website for people who love London. It was founded by Jonathan & Jackie Thomas from Anglotopia.net as a place to post articles solely focused on London and its environs. Keep up with all the latest London news at Londontopia! This site is geared towards people who love to visit London and our primary audience is North American but everyone is welcome!
