London is a city that is the setting of many a children’s book from One-Hundred and One Dalmatians to Peppa Goes to London. With hundreds of years of literary history under its belt, the city has many monuments to great works and authors—and these include statues dedicated to children’s literature. There are at least five statues dedicated to some of the most well-known … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Children’s Literature Statues To See in London
Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Brent, London
Formed with the establishment of the Greater London Authority in 1965, the Borough of Brent was actually carved out of the former boroughs of Wembley and Willesden. The borough was named for the River Brent which flows through it and despite being a more recent creation of London government, it certainly has its attractions both historical and recent. From major attractions … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Brent, London
The London Fiver – Five of the Best Sports Bars
One could certainly argue that every pub in the UK is a sports bar, since it’s naturally where everyone gathers to watch a match. Certain pubs, of course, are bound to have their favored teams’ colors adorning the walls and cheering supporters on game day. However, some places go above this to mark themselves as true sports bars, a place seemingly designed only to watch the … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five of the Best Sports Bars
Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to Do in Barnet, London
On the most northern edges of Greater London, the Borough of Barnet is not only one of the largest in landmass at roughly 33.5 square miles, but also one of the largest in population with 387,800 residents. Being further out from the center of the city, though, it hasn’t got as much to attract visitors as Westminster, Chelsea, and the City of London, amongst other parts of … [Read more...] about Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to Do in Barnet, London
All’s Well That Ends Well – How a Disease Outbreak Lead to London’s First Water and Sewer System
Prior to the 19th Century, utilities in London were practically non-existent. Gas lamps still lit the city at night, raw sewage was dumped into the Thames, and people still relied mostly on wells to get water for drinking and cooking. For the last two, the lack of any kind of system carrying in fresh water and carrying out human waste was a recipe for disaster. With the … [Read more...] about All’s Well That Ends Well – How a Disease Outbreak Lead to London’s First Water and Sewer System
Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Lambeth
The London district of Lambeth is certainly one of the most happening places in the city, owing perhaps to its location along the banks of the River Thames. The area gives its name to the larger borough of which it is part and derived from Lambehitha or “landing place for lambs,” shortened to Lambeth by 1255. The manor of Lambeth was in the ownership of the Archbishop of … [Read more...] about Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Lambeth
Top Ten London: Top 10 Charming London Alleyways To Pass Through On Your Next Visit to London
In America, we’re used to wide roads, streets, paths, and alleyways. Oftentimes, an alley is used as the backend of a building, a place to keep the garbage bins, or just a pass through to another street. However, in London, alleyways take on a life of their own. They may include homes, shops, pubs, restaurants, and more. They are also some of the prettiest places in … [Read more...] about Top Ten London: Top 10 Charming London Alleyways To Pass Through On Your Next Visit to London
Top Ten London: Top 10 London Buildings of Sir Christopher Wren
Christopher Wren is quite possibly the most famous name in British architecture. The structures across the United Kingdom that he designed are amongst the country’s most lauded and beautiful places. Wren lived in interesting times, seeing the English Civil War, the Restoration, and the Great Fire of London. The last of these events really elevated his career to legendary … [Read more...] about Top Ten London: Top 10 London Buildings of Sir Christopher Wren
The London Fiver – Five Atmospheric Subterranean London Bars To Visit
Today, underground is a word that tends to conjure images of secrecy and exclusivity when it comes to places. When it comes to London, the underground is synonymous with the city’s subterranean train service. Of course, there is also the original meaning and applied to bars; it can mean any number of drinking establishments that can be found below the London streets. The … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Atmospheric Subterranean London Bars To Visit
The Fiver – Five of the Highest Bars in London
One of the best things to have with a good drink is a view. Lots of places out there have rooftop bars or observation towers where one can get a cocktail, a pint, or a glass of wine and gaze out over the horizon. London certainly has its share of high-altitude drinking establishments that rank amongst the highest in the UK and in Europe. Whatever you’re in the mood for, each … [Read more...] about The Fiver – Five of the Highest Bars in London
Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Whitechapel
Whitechapel. The very name of this London neighborhood brings up a single image to those who know it but have never been here—an image of murder. Jack the Ripper and his murders of at least five prostitutes in the district has cast a historical stain on a part of London that is actually full of life. Food, art, music, and history abound in Whitechapel. Whatever you might be … [Read more...] about Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Whitechapel
Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Harrow
In the far reaches of Northwestern London, Harrow is a sprawling suburb of over 80,000 people. And while you’d be forgiven for thinking that a suburb would be devoid of anything remotely interesting—that’s where you’re wrong. Harrow actually has quite a lot of interesting places to visit including sport, tea shops, and possibly the most museums of any borough outside the … [Read more...] about Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Harrow
Ten Small Craft Breweries to Visit in London
Craft beer is the wave of the future. So many new breweries have sprung up in the last few years it feels as if they’re reproducing at the same speed as rabbits. The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) estimates there are 125 craft breweries in the city spread out amongst the boroughs and neighborhoods. With so many throughout Greater London, it can be hard to determine which ones … [Read more...] about Ten Small Craft Breweries to Visit in London
Ten Unique Tea Rooms for Your Afternoon Tea in London
Tea has been an important part of British culture since the 17th Century, and you’d be hard pressed to find a society on this side of the globe that loves it more. While coffee houses preceded tea rooms in London, the culture quickly flipped when Thomas Twining opened the city’s first tea room in 1707. Now you can find them in every borough and neighborhood. While many offer … [Read more...] about Ten Unique Tea Rooms for Your Afternoon Tea in London
Springtime in London: Top Things to Do in London This Spring
Spring appears to have sprung early in London this year. With the winter weather finally starting to thaw, spring is upon us, and that means an array of seasonal events in London. The city is awash with festivals, sporting events, and ceremonies from March through May and there is enough variety to find something anyone will enjoy. We have identified our top ten favorite … [Read more...] about Springtime in London: Top Things to Do in London This Spring
Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Clapham
Nestled in the Borough of Lambeth, Clapham has lived many different lives over the centuries. First home to a Roman military road, that gave way to farmland, country houses, and then the sprawling metropolis that is Greater London. Today, Clapham is almost in the very heart of the city and has a vast array of places to visit, things to do, and events to attend. Whether … [Read more...] about Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Clapham
Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do Along The River Thames
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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!
