The 19th Century was a time of great change for Britain, and especially its capital of London. Some of London’s most iconic landmarks were constructed during this time or altered to a look that we recognize today. In the midst of the effects of the Industrial Revolution, the population exploded, and the city grew to […]
About John Rabon
London Annual: Ten of the Oldest Businesses in London
People have been exchanging money for goods for centuries, and London has seen some kind of commerce since the Romans first built the city as we know it. Most companies that we know of today, however, are fairly recent inventions in the grand scheme of things. It wouldn’t be until the 17th or 18th Centuries […]
The London Fiver – Five Major Scientific Discoveries Made in London
Progress in science is one way by which we may judge a society, and London is a city that certainly has made a lot of progress over the centuries. Some of the greatest discoveries in biology, physics, chemistry, and medicine have been made on the streets and in the laboratories of London. Some of them […]
The London Fiver – Five of the Best Bakeries for Cookies in London
Cookies in the United Kingdom are not so different from those in the United States. Most Americans might think that all cookies are “biscuits” in Britain, but these two baked goods have very different meanings. While a “biscuit” is harder and crunchier, while a cookie is meant to be soft and chewie. Cookies can be […]
London’s Fate: Visions of a Future London in Film and Television
The future is bright—sometimes. Science-fiction is a genre that reaches into the future to make suppositions about what’s to come or what could happen. Since the earliest days of the genre, London has played a role in stories such as War of the Worlds and with the advent of film and later television, these tales […]
The Tube: A History of the London Underground
The world’s first underground railway, the London Underground was constructed as a response to the city’s rapid growth during the 19th Century. Today, it is the 11th-busiest subway system on the planet with 1.379 billion passengers using it from 2016-2017. Its tunnels stretch for 249 miles throughout London, often overlapping and giving passengers plenty of […]
Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in the Earl’s Court Area
Like many parts of Greater London, Earl’s Court was once farmland before the growth of the city enveloped the district thanks to the expansion of the Metropolitan District Railway. Post World War II saw a large influx of immigrants from Poland, Australia, and New Zealand to the district and is still referred to as “Kangaroo […]
Fit for a Queen: A Traveler’s Guide to Royal London
London has been a seat of power since the Romans made it their capital in 50 A.D. After they abandoned the settlement in the 5th Century, it would not become a seat of leadership again until Alfred the Great retook control in 886, rebuilding the fortifications, adding new defenses, and transforming the old Roman city […]
Summer in the City: Top Ten Things to Do in London This Summer
When the sun is out the fun is out in London. The city has a lot going on normally, but things really kick up a notch once summer temperatures rise. The summer months tend to be the time when you’ll see the most festivals and outdoor events going on in London including a number of […]
Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Clerkenwell
Clerkenwell is one of the oldest parishes in London, having existed since the Middle Ages. It was here that London’s parish clerks would perform biblical morality plays in a performance venue called a “well.” This gave the area the name “Clerken (or Clerks) Well.” It has had a varied history from being home to monastic […]
Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and do in Camden Town
Giving the Borough of Camden its name, Camden Town derives its name from Camden Place, the estate of the First Earl of Camden. As London grew to encompass this district, Camden Town has transformed into one of the quaintest tourist spots in the whole city. You can find just about everything including great treat food, […]
Tube of the Imagination: A Guide to Fictional Underground Stations
It’s a common practice in literature and media to create fake places for your stories. Maybe the real ones aren’t available or are poorly suited to your movie or show. Perhaps no real place exists that can meet the needs of your story, yet you want everything to be grounded in reality. Being a major […]
Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Bethnal Green
Bethnal Green is perhaps the closest London gets to a respite district. Away from the hustle and bustle of places like Kensington, Westminster, and the City of London, life moves at a slightly different pace. There’s fewer things to attract the bulk of tourists in this district, but that does not mean there isn’t anything […]
The London Fiver – Five of the Best Game and Entertainment Centers in London
Everyone enjoys playing video games, whether it’s old school Pac Man or newer team-based games such as Overwatch. There are plenty of options for gaming fun in London from those who just want an arcade machine for some single-player action to big-time eSports competitions. Other gaming opportunities even offer you the chance to fully immerse […]
Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Brixton
A part of London that is further from the touristy-sections, the London district of Brixton in the Borough of Lambeth is mostly a residential community. Additionally, it is one of the more diverse parts of the city, with a large Caribbean community that has contributed to Brixton’s culture. There may not seem to be much […]
The London Fiver – Five Doctor Who Landmarks To Visit in London
Doctor Who has been one of the UK’s greatest shows since it premiered in 1963. Over the course of its history, much of the show’s action has occurred in London, from the first episode up to last season. Plenty of well-known London landmarks have appeared on Doctor Who as a consequence and at least one […]
The London Fiver – Five Ancient Ruins in London to Visit That Haven’t Been Swept Away By Time
London is an ancient city. Even before the Romans established their settlement of Londonium, people had lived in the area. However, the Romans were the first to erect permanent structures here, some of which have survived today as ruins, hiding amongst the buildings that succeeded them and today’s skyscrapers. Of course, not all of these […]
Great Londoners: Joseph Bazalgette – The Man Who Ended The Great Stink
Joseph Bazalgette may not be a name that immediately comes to mind when you think of the city’s greatest citizens, but people use his biggest contribution every day–the sewer system. During the 19th Century, he was London’s chief engineer for the Metropolitan Board of Works and used his position to ease the city’s sanitation […]
The London Fiver – Five of the Most Expensive Apartment Buildings in London
Living in the city is hard. It’s also expensive. A common criticism of most cities is that home prices, and apartment rents are only getting more expensive. A city like London can certainly fit the bill when it comes to high rent prices. Of course, in a city full of movie stars, politicians, businessmen, and […]
Ten Interesting Facts about the Great Fire of London
On September 2, 1666, furnaces that weren’t quite out in the home of baker Thomas Farriner managed to start a fire that raged for four days and destroyed much of the City of London. The Great Fire was one of the most seminal events in London’s history. It has been recounted in dozens of works […]
Top 10 London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in and Around Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is one of London’s most important gathering points. Whether friends meeting up or an important cultural festival, the Square named for Horatio Nelson’s important victory against Napoleon is a place that everyone knows. It is also surrounded by important places and attractions and can be a starting point for any adventure in the […]
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!
