jonathan

About jonathan

Jonathan is a consummate Anglophile who launched Anglotopia.net in 2007 to channel his passion for Britain. Londontopia is its sister publication dedicated to everything London.

A Changing Heathrow: My Personal Relationship With the Gateway to Britain

Apr 13, 2020 By jonathan 3 Comments

When I first arrived at Heathrow Airport on my first trip to Britain in 2001, I was not impressed. The airport was over capacity even then, and our plane arrived late, so we had no gate for the plane to park at. We parked out on the tarmac, far away from the terminal. We had to queue for a bus, which then took us on a circuitous route to the terminal. While parking on the … [Read more...] about A Changing Heathrow: My Personal Relationship With the Gateway to Britain

Scenes from the Tube: A London Photo Essay

Apr 7, 2020 By jonathan 2 Comments

I am in love with The Tube. It's a magical thing, this network of underground (and overground) trains that can take you anywhere in London. London is a city that grew organically, chaotically, yet the Tube gives the city an order that is entirely unexpected. Just looking at the Tube map evokes a romance for London - the names of all the distant places on the Tube map are … [Read more...] about Scenes from the Tube: A London Photo Essay

Jason Hawkes Shares a Beautiful Video of London From Above That We All Need Right now

Apr 3, 2020 By jonathan Leave a Comment

This video is breathtaking. Jason Hawkes, the renowned aerial photographer has shared this beautiful video of London from above, showing off his amazing skills. It captures London in the most perfect light. It makes me miss it so much it hurts. We'll all get to go back soon enough... Check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxqVA8vMLnI Check out some of his amazing … [Read more...] about Jason Hawkes Shares a Beautiful Video of London From Above That We All Need Right now

LONDON TOP FIVE: Our Favorite London Pubs

Apr 2, 2020 By jonathan 1 Comment

Over the years we’ve had the pleasure of visiting many pubs all across London. Some have been terrible. Some have been wonderful. Here’s a list of five of favorites that we go back to again and again. The Mayflower - Rotherhithe The Mayflower tries to claim the title of the oldest pub on the Thames (the history is murky). This pub was founded in 1550 as The Shippe and is … [Read more...] about LONDON TOP FIVE: Our Favorite London Pubs

LONDON TOP FIVE: Trendy Chain Restaurants To Try On Your Next Trip to London

Jan 23, 2020 By jonathan Leave a Comment

American style chains proliferated in London in the ’90s and ’00s, but as tourists have developed a more refined palate for good dining while traveling, the restaurant market in London has provided a series of innovative new trendy chain restaurants that focus on specific cuisine and do it well. Here are our favorites. Flat Iron - Flat Iron is a restaurant concept that focuses … [Read more...] about LONDON TOP FIVE: Trendy Chain Restaurants To Try On Your Next Trip to London

LONDON TOP FIVE: Our Personal Favorite Bookstores in London – What’s Your Favorite?

Jan 16, 2020 By jonathan 2 Comments

I love books. I love London. London has the best bookshops in the world. Here’s my roundup of my top five favorites. We’ve made a note of which ones will be happy to send your book finds back home, so you don’t have to worry about cramming everything back into your suitcase! Hatchards -The word I would use to describe Hatchards is Stately. It’s the oldest bookstore in Britain … [Read more...] about LONDON TOP FIVE: Our Personal Favorite Bookstores in London – What’s Your Favorite?

The Temple of Mithras: London’s New Roman Museum in the New Bloomberg London HQ

Jan 2, 2020 By jonathan 2 Comments

New museums open in London every year - it’s a consequence of being such a history-rich city. Last year, London got a new museum dedicated to its Roman History. The new London Mithraeum is a triumph of heritage preservation and multimedia presentation and shows that as London grows and digs into its distant past, there are still wonderful discoveries to be made and shared with … [Read more...] about The Temple of Mithras: London’s New Roman Museum in the New Bloomberg London HQ

London Alert: Black Friday Sale is ON – Big Discounts On Everything We Have In Stock!

Nov 29, 2019 By jonathan Leave a Comment

The Anglotopia Store Black Friday Sale is ON! We're offering discounts on pretty much everything we have in stock. No coupon codes are needed, discount reflected in the price. Discounts on puzzles, maps, Tube gear, back issues, magnets, gift wrap, Christmas Cards and more! You can browse the entire sale here and when everything is gone, it's gone until next year. The sale ends … [Read more...] about London Alert: Black Friday Sale is ON – Big Discounts On Everything We Have In Stock!

Hidden London Announces New Tour: London Moorgate Disused Station Tour

Nov 15, 2019 By jonathan Leave a Comment

The Hidden London tours run by the London Transport Museum are some of my favorite special tours to go on in London. We've been on several over the years, as has our London correspondent Laura Porter. Tickets will go on sale very soon for their next roster of tours, and this time around they have added a new one - an exploration of the Moorgate Disused Station. Details from … [Read more...] about Hidden London Announces New Tour: London Moorgate Disused Station Tour

London Alert: The National Portrait Gallery to Close for Three Years for Major Refurbishment

Nov 7, 2019 By jonathan 1 Comment

The National Portrait Gallery is often lost in the museum shuffle in London, mostly because it's located behind the National Gallery, so it's often an afterthought for tourists. And frankly, if you're walking from Trafalgar Square to Leicester Square or Covent Garden, it's easy to walk right past it and not know that it's there. They aim to change that with a major renovation … [Read more...] about London Alert: The National Portrait Gallery to Close for Three Years for Major Refurbishment

London Alert: Order Your London Tube Lights For Christmas – Limited Stock Coming!

Oct 4, 2019 By jonathan Leave a Comment

We've gotten word from our supplier that we'll be able to make one more order between now and Christmas. We'll be getting 100 mini-Tube lights and 25 large Tube Lights in early December. We're opening orders NOW. If you want to give the perfect gift for the London lover in your life - you need to order as soon as possible. We will not be able to get more than this before … [Read more...] about London Alert: Order Your London Tube Lights For Christmas – Limited Stock Coming!

Fun Graphic Explains the Linguistic Origins of All of London’s Boroughs

Aug 15, 2019 By jonathan Leave a Comment

A Reddit user has made a lovely graphic that explains the origins of the names of all of London's Borough. It's very fascinating history! Which one is your favorite? Check it out for your self (click for a larger version): Source. … [Read more...] about Fun Graphic Explains the Linguistic Origins of All of London’s Boroughs

First Look at the Proposed Designs for the new Museum of London

Jul 16, 2019 By jonathan Leave a Comment

The Museum of London is moving in a few years, in a deal that has long been in the works. They're moving to the abandoned Smithfield Market, which has been derelict for a few years. It's going to be an amazing project that will transform an iconic London landmark and save it from demolition. As they begin the planning application process to get approval for the new museum, the … [Read more...] about First Look at the Proposed Designs for the new Museum of London

Heathrow Airport Unveils Master Plan for Third Runway – Standby for Pretty Pictures

Jul 15, 2019 By jonathan Leave a Comment

Heathrow is getting a third runway whether anyone likes it or not. It's been a long, drawn-out process but it's the policy of the current British government that a third runway at Heathrow be permitted. As Heathrow Airport, which is now privately owned and desperately wants the new runway to increase capacity, begins the massive consultation process needed to get it approved, … [Read more...] about Heathrow Airport Unveils Master Plan for Third Runway – Standby for Pretty Pictures

London Alert: Tube Light is Back and Introducing the NEW Smaller Version

Jul 10, 2019 By jonathan Leave a Comment

Big news! The most popular product we've ever offered - the LED Tube Light is back and we're excited to introduce a smaller version! If you felt the original Tube light was too large, then the mini-Tube light is for you. It's more suitable for bookshelves and desktops. It's powered by 2 AA batteries or the included USB Cable. The Mini Tube Light includes 3 signs - Underground, … [Read more...] about London Alert: Tube Light is Back and Introducing the NEW Smaller Version

Ian McKellen’s One-Man Show Comes to the West End for One Man Show from September

Jun 17, 2019 By jonathan Leave a Comment

Ian McKellen has been touring Britain, doing a one-man show based on his career, raising money for charity in celebration of his 80th birthday. The show sold out and he's been wowing crowds all over Britain. Now, news has come in that he will continue to the show with an extended run in the West End at the Harold Pinter Theatre starting September 20th. It will continue until … [Read more...] about Ian McKellen’s One-Man Show Comes to the West End for One Man Show from September

Guest Post: London’s Top 7 Lost Street Names

Jun 6, 2019 By jonathan Leave a Comment

Editor's Note: The following is a guest post from Evan Evans Tours in London. The history of London is long, complicated and steeped in mystery. Fortunately for us, there are clues to the truth of it woven into the very fabric of its streets. When you take a walk through London, you’re contributing to the story of a city that has been thousands of years in the making. We’re … [Read more...] about Guest Post: London’s Top 7 Lost Street Names

London Alert: St Paul’s Cathedral Has Lifted Its Ban on Photography (with come caveats)!

Jun 3, 2019 By jonathan Leave a Comment

Great news for photographers and visitors to St Paul's Cathedral in London. They have ended their ban on photography within the cathedral. This is wonderful news. Many people flouted the ban anyway (and if you did, you would get a telling off, as I did 15 years ago). Now, the Cathedral has decided to let everyone take pictures of this truly wonderful architectural jewel. They … [Read more...] about London Alert: St Paul’s Cathedral Has Lifted Its Ban on Photography (with come caveats)!

It’s Official: Crossrail – Aka The Elizabeth LIne – Is Officially Delayed Until At Least 2020

May 2, 2019 By jonathan 2 Comments

The announcement has been made. Many suspected this would be the case. Crossrail, London's new underground railway, has had its opening delayed until at least Autumn 2020. The entire line won't open until 2021 at the earliest as well. The new cross-London railway line, which will slash journey times across the capital, was supposed to open last year, but at the last minute … [Read more...] about It’s Official: Crossrail – Aka The Elizabeth LIne – Is Officially Delayed Until At Least 2020

Londontopia Store Alert: New Products LIVE – London Tube Map and AtoZ Map 1,000 Piece Puzzles!

May 1, 2019 By jonathan Leave a Comment

To start off May, we've imported two beautiful and challenging puzzles from UK manufacturer Robert Frederick (based in Bath). First up is a 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle of the London A to Z map - a great way to learn the streets by heart! Next up is the London Tube Map - also 1,000 pieces and I hear particularly challenging because of all the white space. Each puzzle is 30x20 … [Read more...] about Londontopia Store Alert: New Products LIVE – London Tube Map and AtoZ Map 1,000 Piece Puzzles!

Top 10 Works of Art to See in London’s National Gallery On Your Next Visit

Apr 30, 2019 By jonathan 5 Comments

The National Gallery in London is one of the finest Art Museums in the world - and one of the oldest. It's one of my favorite places to visit when I visit London. This is one of London's top free museums, and you can just walk in whenever you like and admire some of the finest works of art humanity has ever produced. But there are thousands of works in the museum - which ones … [Read more...] about Top 10 Works of Art to See in London’s National Gallery On Your Next Visit

Londontopia Print Magazine: Issue #4 Cover Reveal – Reserve Your Copy Now – Shipping June 2019

Apr 25, 2019 By jonathan Leave a Comment

Today we're excited to reveal the cover for Issue #4 of the Londontopia Print Magazine! Issue #4 will be shipping in June 2019. Featuring 48 full-color pages, this love letter to London will feature a great line-up of new articles. CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE! Here's a taste of what's in Issue #4*: Latest Events and Exhibitions The London Diary One Day in London … [Read more...] about Londontopia Print Magazine: Issue #4 Cover Reveal – Reserve Your Copy Now – Shipping June 2019

Exhibition Alert: Buckingham Palace to Explore the Life of Queen Victoria at Summer Exhibition Opening

Apr 12, 2019 By jonathan Leave a Comment

Buckingham Palace only opens for a few weeks in the Summer when the Queen is away in Scotland. To coincide with each summer opening, there's usually a special exhibition on show (though seeing the Palace state rooms themselves is worth the price of admission!). This year, the Royal Collection Trust will be exploring Queen Victoria's life at the Palace. This year's summer … [Read more...] about Exhibition Alert: Buckingham Palace to Explore the Life of Queen Victoria at Summer Exhibition Opening

THE TRIFORIUM: Behind Closed Doors at St Paul’s Cathedral

Apr 11, 2019 By jonathan 3 Comments

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in Issue #10 of the Anglotopia Print Magazine in 2018. Support great long-form writing about British History, Culture, and travel by subscribing to the Anglotopia Magazine. Every subscription helps keep Anglotopia running and provides us to the opportunity to produce articles like this. You can subscribe here. St Paul’s Cathedral … [Read more...] about THE TRIFORIUM: Behind Closed Doors at St Paul’s Cathedral

London Tube: You’ve Got to Watch This Amazing Mesmerizing Animation That Shows the Real Geography of the London Underground

Apr 5, 2019 By jonathan Leave a Comment

I found this on Reddit the other day and knew I had to share it. Most first time travelers to London will quickly learn that the London Underground Tube Map is not designed with geographic reality in mind. It has almost no relation to geographic reality in London and you discover these quirks when you try to, for example, connect between lines at Bank. This dates back to when … [Read more...] about London Tube: You’ve Got to Watch This Amazing Mesmerizing Animation That Shows the Real Geography of the London Underground