The Borough of Tower Hamlets inherited its name from the unit located there that was once obligated to defend the Tower of London. It was born in 1965 with the creation of the Greater London Council and the merger of Stepney, Poplar, and Bethnal Green. As a result, Tower Hamlets is a very large borough that covers many important London neighborhoods from Whitechapel to Canary … [Read more...] about Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Tower Hamlets
About John Rabon
A Brief Guide to London’s Lost Rivers
For many, the River Thames is the only river in London that they know. Except that London has many rivers that centuries ago flowed freely through the first settlements and the early days of the city. Of course, as London became more built up, many of these rivers were covered over and eventually forgotten. Twenty-one of these tributaries flow into the city, and some still … [Read more...] about A Brief Guide to London’s Lost Rivers
Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Kings Cross
Once known as Battlebridge, the London neighborhood known today as Kings Cross got its name from being a crossing point where the Romans fought the Celtic leader Boudica. The name changed due to the construction of a monument to King George IV that stood in the crossroads of what is now known as Euston Road, Gray’s Inn Road, and Pentonville Road from 1830 to 1845. Now mostly … [Read more...] about Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Kings Cross
The London Fiver: Five Unusual Ways to Celebrate Christmas in London
There are lots to do in London during Christmas. You can take in the lights in the city’s numerous shopping districts; you could pay a visit to Father Christmas, attend a church service, shop the Christmas markets, or have fun at Winter Wonderland. Of course, for these more traditional events, there are some unique and odd things you can do in the city during the holidays. … [Read more...] about The London Fiver: Five Unusual Ways to Celebrate Christmas in London
Top Ten London – Top 10 Things to See and Do in Bexley
The London Borough of Bexley is one of the easternmost governmental organizations that is still part of Greater London. It was an ancient parish that was part of the County of Kent and became its own borough when the Greater London Council was formed in 1965. Home to munitions factories during World War II, it experienced a population boom after peace was achieved and today … [Read more...] about Top Ten London – Top 10 Things to See and Do in Bexley
Christmas in London: London Pantos to See This Christmas Season
“Panto” short for “pantomime” is a type of play based upon traditional fairy tales. These pantos rule London’s theater scene during the Christmas holidays, with stories ranging from traditional family fare to more “adult” performances. Especially due to London’s status as the center of entertainment in the UK, many of the city’s pantos feature a number of big-name celebrities … [Read more...] about Christmas in London: London Pantos to See This Christmas Season
Top Ten London: 10 Best Places to Spot Christmas Decorations in London
“Those Christmas lights, light up the street” and how they light up the streets of London. From Oxford Street to Harrod’s, you can count on London to do it up big for the holiday. Many big shopping districts and landmarks throughout Great London have incredibly impressive displays of decorations that shine and sparkle all season long and despite it being early November, many … [Read more...] about Top Ten London: 10 Best Places to Spot Christmas Decorations in London
Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Battersea
Battersea was once an undeveloped marshland and farms with a village centered around St. Mary’s Church until the Industrial Revolution came along and built factories by the River Thames and the River Wandle. The latter gave birth to a village known as Wandsworth that was eventually absorbed into Greater London. Today mostly composed of neighborhoods, it is home to a number of … [Read more...] about Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Battersea
Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Mayfair
Mayfair isn’t just home to the Werewolves of London, and even if it were, they would be some pretty posh lupines considering it’s one of the most affluent districts in the city. Part of the City of Westminster, it’s believed that the Romans settled here for a time before founding Londonium. The city’s annual May Fair was held here for a time until the upper classes found it … [Read more...] about Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Mayfair
Ten Interesting Facts and Figures about the Dorchester Hotel
One of the pinnacles of prestige in London, the Dorchester Hotel is a five-star accommodation that is as known for luxury as the number of famous names who have stayed there since it opened in 1931. Its guests have included everyone from poet Cecil Day-Lewis (father of actor Daniel Day-Lewis) to Queen Elizabeth II. Designed in an art deco style, the hotel has maintained that … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts and Figures about the Dorchester Hotel
Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Maida Vale
An upscale neighborhood that’s part of the City of Westminster, Maida Vale is a largely residential neighborhood, but it’s not all townhomes and flats. There’s actually quite a lot of history in Maida Vale such as the name itself being derived from John Stuart, Count of Maida, who earned his title in the Napoleonic Wars with a victory in the Battle of Maida, Italy. You may … [Read more...] about Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Maida Vale
A Brief History of London’s Parks
London’s parks are some of the best in the world. From Hyde Park to Hampstead Heath, they are beautiful places that create pockets of greenery throughout the city, offering Londoners a chance to connect with nature, be active, speak out, and have fun. However, these parks didn’t always exist, and their creation has a story all its own. In fact, there are several stories as … [Read more...] about A Brief History of London’s Parks
Built London: Brutalist Architecture in London
Cold, geometrical, bland. These are some of the words used to describe the aptly-named “Brutalist” style of architecture. Brutalism had its heyday from the early 1950s through the mid-1970s and is largely associated with government buildings or government-sponsored projects. In the United States, we can see examples of it in the FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C., Boston … [Read more...] about Built London: Brutalist Architecture in London
Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Marylebone
Marylebone earned its name from a church located there on the bank of a stream (also known as a “borne”), becoming first St. Mary at the Bourne and then through settle iterations before settling on the current name for the district. Part of the City of Westminster, it is naturally a very affluent part of London and certainly has many great places to visit. No matter whether … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Marylebone
The London Fiver – Five of the Oldest Schools in London
In the West, organized educational institutions have been around since the Middle Ages when churches set up schools to teach future priests and administrators. Besides that, few educational institutions existed until the first universities and almost nothing for children beyond apprenticeships. Greater London has over 3,000 schools today, and some of them have foundations … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five of the Oldest Schools in London
Top Ten London: 10 Fascinating and Beautiful London Housing Estates
Since the Victorian period, the British government and local councils have taken it upon themselves to ensure that housing was provided to the working classes. Part of this was out of concern for the health of lower-income persons who were often packed into slums as well as being a progressive step toward municipal planning. In the wake of destruction caused by the London … [Read more...] about Top Ten London: 10 Fascinating and Beautiful London Housing Estates
Great Londoners – Michael Faraday – The Master of Electricity
Michael Faraday is one of those great scientists whose discoveries really changed the world. Focused on electromagnetism and electrochemistry, Faraday changed what we know about electricity. His discoveries also led to several inventions including electrolysis, the Faraday cage to block electromagnetic fields, and the electric motor. It’s certainly fair to say that Faraday … [Read more...] about Great Londoners – Michael Faraday – The Master of Electricity
Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Holborn
Striding the boroughs of Camden and the City of Westminster, Holborn is a district close to the center of London. The first documented reference to Holborn was in 959, but the district itself wasn’t created officially until 1855. It has had an interesting history from hosting one of the city’s most famous molly houses for gay men in the 18th Century, a setting for many of … [Read more...] about Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Holborn
The London Fiver: 5 Christmas Markets To Plan To Visit During the Holiday Season
Once we get into November, the Christmas decorations go up all around London, and the Christmas Markets come out onto the city’s streets. Unlike the usual markets selling vintage goods, food, or clothing, obviously, these are geared more towards the festive season. While some take on the normal look of market stalls, others look like little cottages decked out in lights and … [Read more...] about The London Fiver: 5 Christmas Markets To Plan To Visit During the Holiday Season
Great Londoners – Geoffrey Chaucer
Geoffrey Chaucer was one of the greatest contributors to English literature with his work The Canterbury Tales. However, being a writer and poet was only part of what he did during his remarkable life. Chaucer was a Renaissance man before the term was even coined, serving as a bureaucrat, courtier, diplomat, astronomer, and philosopher. Part of what makes him one of the most … [Read more...] about Great Londoners – Geoffrey Chaucer
Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Ealing
Once a rural Middlesex village, Ealing was swallowed up along with much of the surrounding area as London grew into the metropolis it is today. Ealing was made its own borough in 1901 and became part of Greater London in 1965. While once a sleepy community, today Ealing is alive as a commercial and event center of West London. As such, there’s much to do within the borough, … [Read more...] about Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Ealing
Top Ten – Hammersmith and Fulham
The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham was formed in 1965 out of the districts of Hammersmith, Fulham, and Shepherd’s Bush. All three have had very interesting histories, with Fulham having been around since the 12th Century, Hammersmith hosting one of the early Olympic Games, and Shepherd’s Bush being home to the BBC Television Service for decades. Today, the borough … [Read more...] about Top Ten – Hammersmith and Fulham
Tipsy Touring: Your Guide to London Brewery and Gin Distillery Tours
Besides tea, a couple of drinks that are endemic to Britain's identity are ale and gin. Ale is a combination of yeast, hops, and barley that is warm fermented and there are many different types of beer you can make from it depending on the amount and types of ingredients. Gin, on the other hand, is a spirit developed from juniper berries. Both beverages not only have a … [Read more...] about Tipsy Touring: Your Guide to London Brewery and Gin Distillery Tours
Ten Interesting Facts about the Notting Hill Carnival
Most Mardi Gras celebrations, or Carnival as its known in Central and South America, take place prior to the season of Lent in February. Notting Hill’s Carnival is a little different, however, happening in August instead. And while other Carnivals are about getting out your excesses ahead of Lenten period, Notting Hill’s event is more a celebration of the Caribbean cultures … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts about the Notting Hill Carnival
Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Chelsea
One-half of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Chelsea is a fairly posh area of London (see: massive understatement) that’s been an important part of London since the first Synod of Chelsea in 787 AD. It later became the property of the Crown when King Henry VIII acquired it in 1536. From that point on, its association with the monarch made it a fashionable area to … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Chelsea
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