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
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LONDON TOP FIVE: Our Personal Favorite Bookstores in London – What’s Your Favorite?
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
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!
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
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
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!
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
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
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
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
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
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
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)!
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
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!
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
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
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
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
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
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
London Alert: The Tube Light Returns for a Limited Time – 5 New Signs Included!
You've been waiting and we've been waiting and now the Tube Light is BACK for a limited time! We will be getting more Tube Lights in Late May 2019 but the manufacturer will have VERY LIMITED quantities, so we need to know exactly how many to order in advance, so we're going to take orders for ONE WEEK. The box now includes an additional FIVE signs: Arsenal / West Ham / … [Read more...] about London Alert: The Tube Light Returns for a Limited Time – 5 New Signs Included!
LAST CALL! Last Chance to Subscribe to the Londontopia Magazine for Issue #3
We've sent Issue #3 of the Londontopia Magazine off to the printers and approved the proofs. We should have them soon. We've ordered 300 copies and have sold about 250 of them so far, so if you want to make sure to get a copy, you need to order as soon as possible. CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE! What's in Issue #3 of the Londontopia Magazine? What’s On in London for Q1 … [Read more...] about LAST CALL! Last Chance to Subscribe to the Londontopia Magazine for Issue #3
Check Out This Amazing Animated Visualization of London’s Tube Lines
I can't stop watching this animated visualization of London's Tube Lines. It first made the rounds on Reddit and then it went viral on Twitter. It was made by Twitter user Baggma and I've linked to the original Tweet below. My favorite bit is the Elizabeth line coming in at the bottom, then creeping back away (it's recently been announced its delayed, probably for several … [Read more...] about Check Out This Amazing Animated Visualization of London’s Tube Lines
Harry Potter News: Gringotts Bank Coming to the Harry Potter Studio Tour in April
The Harry Potter Studio Tour is continually changing and updating to make sure they have a steady stream of repeat visitors. Today, they've announced that they'll be opening up Gringotts Bank to visitors. From the press release: For the first time ever at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, visitors are invited to enter the set of Gringotts … [Read more...] about Harry Potter News: Gringotts Bank Coming to the Harry Potter Studio Tour in April
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!
