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John Rabon

Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do Along The River Thames

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Lifeblood to London, the River Thames enabled the earliest settlements to take place in prehistoric England, giving way to the Romans who would formally establish the city.  The Thames has unquestionably been a major player in London’s history over the years, providing the citizens with water, serving as a means of transport to goods and people, and even responsible for the … [Read more...] about Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do Along The River Thames

Built London: Top Ten Most Beautiful Victorian Buildings in London

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What we think of as “Victorian” architecture more refers to the period rather than a particular architectural style.  In fact, there were really several styles prevalent during the period that were revivals of previous designs:  Gothic, Italianate, Romanesque, Renaissance, Queen Anne, and Neoclassical.  Other methods and styles also developed as new materials came into … [Read more...] about Built London: Top Ten Most Beautiful Victorian Buildings in London

Top 10 London: Ten Places in London for the Perfect Selfie

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Simultaneously the most hated thing tourists do but also the most popular thing they actually do. Ever since cell phones got cameras, a self-shot (or “selfie”) photo is the norm for most of us.  Whether you want to capture a memory or blow up Instagram while you’re in London, the city certainly has plenty of excellent spots for a selfie.  Of course, there are places not to take … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: Ten Places in London for the Perfect Selfie

Top Ten London: Top 10 Most Romantic Places in London

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Love is in the air when February rolls around, and London is a great place to experience it.  Most people might think that Paris would be the best place to spend Valentine’s Day, but the UK capital has a charm to rival its competition across the Channel.  If you’re in London on February 14th, you might want to consider one of the ten places below to spend the holiday with … [Read more...] about Top Ten London: Top 10 Most Romantic Places in London

The London Fiver – Five of the Best Small Concert Venues

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It’s good to go out and hear live music.  No matter whether it’s classical, rock, punk, rap, jazz, or whatever makes your ears ring, there’s nothing like catching the vibrations of the sound as it hits you.  While London certainly has some great larger music venues such as the O2 Arena, the Roundhouse, and Royal Albert Hall, sometimes it’s better to find a smaller place.  A … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five of the Best Small Concert Venues

Top 10 London: Top Ten Georgian Buildings in London

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With the coming of the Hanoverian kings came a new style of architecture that bore their name—Georgian.  This style of design was defined by symmetrical features, front entries with crowns, pilasters, and transom windows, corner quoins, cornice dentils, and typically made of stone or brick.  These features had their roots in ancient Greek and Roman design and the name stuck … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: Top Ten Georgian Buildings in London

London History: A Look at London During the Interregnum – Oliver Cromwell’s London

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When King Charles I’s head fell off the chopping block on January 30, 1649, the Interregnum began.  Under the leadership of Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell, the Commonwealth period would last eleven years.  While England and Britain as a whole would change significantly during this period as Cromwell’s New Model Army would become the UK’s first standing army and new … [Read more...] about London History: A Look at London During the Interregnum – Oliver Cromwell’s London

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

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The City of Westminster is one of the most important places in Greater London.  Home of all aspects of the British government, the Houses of Parliament, the Court of St. James, the principal residence of the monarch, and the church in which every Sovereign has been crowned since 1066 are all found here.  However, that’s not all you’ll see in this London borough, and we have … [Read more...] about Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Westminster

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

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Fitzrovia is one of those districts in London that seems to touch everyone important.  Partly in Westminster and Partly in Camden, it also touches the West End and is a prime example of a mixed-use area of the city.  As such, it has residences, shops, businesses, bars, restaurants, and plenty of attractions for everyone.  No matter what you’re interested in seeing, you can find … [Read more...] about Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Fitzrovia

Ten of the Best Independent Cinemas in London

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Cinemas, or movie theaters as we call them in the states, are some of the greatest places to spend time.  Watching documentaries, comedies, foreign films, and more, we open ourselves up to whole other worlds.  While there are plenty of big-name movie palaces such as Odeon and Empire, there are plenty of small chains and independent cinemas throughout the city that are worth … [Read more...] about Ten of the Best Independent Cinemas in London

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

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The London Borough of Bromley is the largest in greater London, covering fifty-nine square miles.  Like many of London’s boroughs, it was formed in 1965 by the London Government Act of 1963 and was created out of the Metropolitan Boroughs of Bromley and Beckenham as well as the Urban Districts of Penge, Orpington, and Chislehurst.  Being the biggest of London’s boroughs, there … [Read more...] about Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Bromley

Top 10 London: The Ten Best London’s Stately Homes To Visit

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Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the Londontopia Print Magazine last summer. Support great long-form writing about London by subscribing to the Londontopia Print Magazine - the only print magazine dedicated completely to London. You can subscribe here. London is an incredibly posh city and some of the greatest places to live.  Beyond the palaces of royalty, … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: The Ten Best London’s Stately Homes To Visit

Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Tower Hamlets

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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

A Brief Guide to London’s Lost Rivers

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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

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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

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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

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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

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“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

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“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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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