John Rabon

About John Rabon

John is a regular writer for Anglotopia and its sister websites. He is currently engaged in finding a way to move books slightly to the left without the embarrassment of being walked in on by Eddie Izzard. For any comments, questions, or complaints, please contact the Lord Mayor of London, Boris Johnson's haircut.

Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Haringey

Jul 8, 2020 By John Rabon Leave a Comment

The Borough of Haringey is caught in the middle between Inner London and Outer London and often stated to belong to one or the other. Over its history, it’s been home to the Celts, the Romans, the Saxons, and more. As with London’s other boroughs, it was formed in 1965 with the formation of Greater London. Today it’s home to some of London’s most famous buildings, beautiful … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Haringey

Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Redbridge

Jun 30, 2020 By John Rabon Leave a Comment

Redbridge is one of the most northeastern boroughs in Greater London, and like many of the outer boroughs, for years it was mostly farmland and manor estates before the city’s growth from the 17th Century-onwards turned it into a suburb. While a mostly quiet part of the city, Redbridge is quite well known for its parks and sporting facilities, offering its residents pretty of … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Redbridge

All Roads Lead to Nelson: The History of London’s Roads

Jun 26, 2020 By John Rabon 1 Comment

Prior to the arrival of the Romans, there were no real roads in London or the United Kingdom; in fact, there wasn’t even a London. The Romans founded the city in 43 AD, and as was usual for their expansion of the Empire, they brought roads with them. Being the center of Roman Britain, roads began in London and stretched out to the remainder of Great Britain, facilitating the … [Read more...] about All Roads Lead to Nelson: The History of London’s Roads

Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Hillingdon

Jun 24, 2020 By John Rabon 1 Comment

One of the outermost boroughs of London, Hillingdon was formed in 1965 out of Middlesex County boroughs such as Hayes and Harlington, Ruislip-Northwood, Uxbridge, and Yiewsley and West Drayton. In many ways, Hillingdon serves as a gateway to London thanks to being the borough of Heathrow Airport. Even with the planes overhead, it’s a pretty peaceful area full of large … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Hillingdon

Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to Do in Canonbury

Jun 5, 2020 By John Rabon Leave a Comment

A residential area of London since the early 19th Century, Canonbury can be a bit hard to define. It’s never had its own council or other administrative unit, but just about always folded into Islington. With that in mind, you might think it would be hard to find something to do in this neighborhood, but there’s always something to see in any part of London. As a residential … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to Do in Canonbury

London’s Social History: The History of Public Housing in London

Jun 2, 2020 By John Rabon 1 Comment

Also referred to Social Housing or Council Housing, public housing has long been an issue of greater interest in the United Kingdom and especially in the capital city of London. Prior to the Victorian era, the government had never thought to provide housing to lower-income citizens. Prior to this, the need for housing fell on the Church or private entities. Since the 10th … [Read more...] about London’s Social History: The History of Public Housing in London

A Guide to London’s Historical Ethnic Neighborhoods

May 28, 2020 By John Rabon Leave a Comment

London is a socially rich and diverse place, with 44% of the city’s population representing various ethnicities and over 300 languages spoken. Many areas of the city are inhabited by immigrants and their descendants from all over the world. These neighborhoods have a history and culture that gives their residents a sense of community while also making London a truly … [Read more...] about A Guide to London’s Historical Ethnic Neighborhoods

Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Bermondsey

May 27, 2020 By John Rabon Leave a Comment

Part of the Borough of Southwark, Bermondsey is an area of London that for centuries did not have a large population or many homes, save for land owned by the Church or the Crown. This began to change following the Great Fire of London when many of London’s well-to-do citizens moved here. The population increased further beginning after this though the area became more … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Bermondsey

Ten Things to See at the Victoria & Albert Museum of Childhood

May 25, 2020 By John Rabon Leave a Comment

Despite the name, the V&A Museum of Childhood is a place for all ages. Located in Bethnal Green, the Museum of Childhood is a museum both for children and about adolescence. Founded in 1872 as the Bethnal Green Museum, its collection is the largest amount of childhood objects in the United Kingdom, featuring over 26,000 pieces of art, literature, clothing, toys, and more, … [Read more...] about Ten Things to See at the Victoria & Albert Museum of Childhood

Top Ten Things to See at the London Transport Museum

May 21, 2020 By John Rabon Leave a Comment

Getting around London has been a big deal for centuries. Going back to the beginning of the 1800s when horse-drawn buses transported everyday citizens and handsome cabs were available for those with more means, transporting Londoners from one point to another has been a major part of the city. The London Transport Museum exists to document this history from its earliest days … [Read more...] about Top Ten Things to See at the London Transport Museum

War Comes to London – The City’s History of Armed Conflict

May 19, 2020 By John Rabon Leave a Comment

When people think of London and war, they usually think of the Blitz, the German bombing campaign during World War II. However, as a capital city, London has known much more fighting, stretching back centuries since the founding of the city. While there is evidence of settlement in the London from as early as the Bronze Age, a lack of written history precludes us from knowing … [Read more...] about War Comes to London – The City’s History of Armed Conflict

Top 10 London: Top Ten Things Things to See and Do in Kingston upon Thames

May 14, 2020 By John Rabon Leave a Comment

Moving to another of Greater London’s outermost boroughs, Kingston Upon Thames was once the home of Saxon kings, from which its name derives. Saxon kings were consecrated in Kingston through to Æthelred the Unready after which proceedings moved to Westminster Abbey for Harold Godwinson and King William I. It was granted a town charter in 1200, and as with much of Greater … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: Top Ten Things Things to See and Do in Kingston upon Thames

London Fiver: Five of London’s Strangest Annual Events

May 13, 2020 By John Rabon 2 Comments

London certainly sees its share of annual parades, festivals, and events from its Carnival to the Lord Mayor’s Show. Many of them highlight the history and cultural heritage of the city, though some are a little on the weird side. Certain events in London might seem odd to observers at first, but they can be just as fun. From annual traditions with a long history to races … [Read more...] about London Fiver: Five of London’s Strangest Annual Events

Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Havering

May 6, 2020 By John Rabon 1 Comment

One of the furthest boroughs of Greater London, Havering has one of the lowest population densities in London, partly due to the number of parks, nature reserves, and open spaces in the area. Havering is an old name for the area that comes from a former royal manor and liberty that existed here until 1892. The borough was created as part of the London Government Act in 1965 … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Havering

The London Fiver – Five of the Best Places for Antiques Shopping in London

May 1, 2020 By John Rabon Leave a Comment

Having been around since Roman times, London has seen many artistic styles and designs, and almost all of it eventually finds its way into the shops and markets. Considering that, antique shoppers could find a city as old as London, a treasure trove of vintage furniture, clothing, and bric-a-brac. If you find yourself in the city looking for some old classic piece to take … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five of the Best Places for Antiques Shopping in London

Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to Do in Newham

Apr 30, 2020 By John Rabon Leave a Comment

Born from the former Essex county boroughs of West Ham and East Ham, Newham got its start in 1965 as one of the new Greater London boroughs created by the London Government Act of 1963. In more recent history, Newham is famous for being the primary site of the 2012 London Olympics, more specifically, the Olympic Park and London Stadium. These prime spots are only part of what … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to Do in Newham

Ten Things to See at the Museum of London

Apr 28, 2020 By John Rabon 1 Comment

London’s only museum dedicated solely to itself, the Museum of London was born in 1965 out of the Museum of London Act. When it opened in 1976, it featured the combined collections of the City of London at London Guildhall and the London Museum at Kensington Palace. Its exhibits are dedicated to the city’s history and are separated into various eras from prehistoric London … [Read more...] about Ten Things to See at the Museum of London

Ten Feel-Good Random Facts About London

Apr 23, 2020 By John Rabon 2 Comments

At a time like this, it can be pretty depressing to be stuck inside while sickness seems to grow around us. Since this kind of situation can have a negative effect on mood, it helps to stimulate ourselves with some positive facts. Kindness to others, great moments in London’s history, hilarious anecdotes, and even the little things we don’t notice can help us feel better when … [Read more...] about Ten Feel-Good Random Facts About London

London’s Pandemic History – From the Black Death to the Spanish Flu

Apr 21, 2020 By John Rabon Leave a Comment

The ravages of disease are nothing new to London. Even as the city deals with the threat of COVID-19, it has been able to learn from the pandemics of the past going back to Anglo-Saxon times. Black Death ravaged Greater London as it did most of Europe for centuries, and smallpox, flu, and cholera have all plagued the city at one point or another. The first recorded plague in … [Read more...] about London’s Pandemic History – From the Black Death to the Spanish Flu

Top 10 London: Ten Things to See at the Victoria and Albert Museum (When it Reopens…)

Apr 16, 2020 By John Rabon Leave a Comment

More than an art museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum is dedicated to applied and decorative arts and design. This goes beyond painting and sculpture to photography, fashion, logos, furniture, textiles, and more. This means the museum’s collection is quite expansive, clocking in at over 2.27 million objects. With so many things to see in the V&A, it can be hard to … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: Ten Things to See at the Victoria and Albert Museum (When it Reopens…)

Ten Interesting Facts and Figures About the Geographers’ London A to Z Street Atlas

Mar 31, 2020 By John Rabon 2 Comments

In the era of smartphones equipped with maps, it’s easy to forget that we once had to rely on street atlases to find where we’re going. While survey maps of London existed long before the 20th Century, it was London: A to Zed from Phyllis Pearsall that really changed everything. With millions of copies printed and sold, the Geographers A to Zed Street Atlas still finds … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts and Figures About the Geographers’ London A to Z Street Atlas

Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Balham

Mar 12, 2020 By John Rabon Leave a Comment

Balham is a neighborhood in South West London that is old enough to appear in the Domesday Book, where it was listed as Belgeham. It was meadows and farmland for centuries until the expansion of the city engulfed it and turned it into another suburb. Without much history of note, today, Balham offers a lot for people visiting. Those who are into greenspace will want to visit … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Balham

Ten Interesting Facts and Figures About the London Overground

Mar 9, 2020 By John Rabon 1 Comment

A complement to the London Underground, the London Overground is the Tube’s lesser-known cousin, a network over commuter trains that rely on above-ground tracks. This is similar to the group of private-owned organizations that make up National Rail, though the Overground is a public service owned by Transport for London and is exclusive to the city. Today, the London … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts and Figures About the London Overground

The DLR: Ten Interesting Facts and Figures About Docklands Light Railway

Mar 4, 2020 By John Rabon Leave a Comment

Like a little brother to the London Underground, the Docklands Light Rail transportation system was developed following the revitalization of the Docklands in East London. The DLR as it’s known opened in 1987 serving much of Eastern London like its own little Underground. While still under Transport for London, it’s run as a separate light metro rail service, though it does … [Read more...] about The DLR: Ten Interesting Facts and Figures About Docklands Light Railway

The London Fiver – Five Things to Do in March

Feb 27, 2020 By John Rabon Leave a Comment

Once March rolls around, the weather starts being a little warmer and friendlier, leading to a number of London festivals and other events throughout the city. Of course, the big event for the month is the city’s St. Patrick’s Day parade and festival, but there are plenty of other events you should check out if you’re going to find yourself in London during this time and don’t … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Things to Do in March