Transport for London (TfL) has unveiled a new Tube map showing the first major expansion of the network this century. The map features the two new stations making up the Northern line extension in south London. Trains will begin serving Nine Elms, and Battersea Power Station from around 5.30 am on Monday. The ticket hall at Nine Elms station (TfL/PA) It is the … [Read more...] about The Tube: New stations added to Tube map in major network expansion to Battersea Power Station
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Big Ben/Elizabeth Clock Tower refurbishment shows off original blue color scheme as the scaffolding begins to come down
The £80 million makeover of Big Ben is beginning to be unveiled as scaffolding continues to be removed from the national landmark. Pictures show the painstaking level of detail that has gone into the five-year refurbishment, which is due to wrap up next year, of the famous bell and Parliament’s Elizabeth Tower, in which it is housed. Those passing over Westminster Bridge … [Read more...] about Big Ben/Elizabeth Clock Tower refurbishment shows off original blue color scheme as the scaffolding begins to come down
Thriving seal population shows River Thames is ‘full of life’ again
The Thames’ healthy seal population is proof the river is teeming with life, conservationists have said, despite a dip in numbers over the past two years. A team of researchers from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) found the river was home to 2,866 grey seals and 797 harbor seals following the most recent pupping season. Apart from 2020, when the … [Read more...] about Thriving seal population shows River Thames is ‘full of life’ again
London street and railway sign collection goes up for rare auction
More than 400 distinctive railway and street signs from two collections are expected to sell for thousands of pounds when they go under the hammer. The JS Collection of Railwayana was one man’s lifelong passion and focuses on rare signs from the earlier part of the 20th century. Comprising 200 lots, the collection ranges from a large tube station platform sign which shows … [Read more...] about London street and railway sign collection goes up for rare auction
Tube News: Opening date revealed for major expansion of Tube network on the Northern Line
The first major expansion of the London Underground this century will open later this month. Tube trains will begin serving Battersea in south London on September 20, Transport for London (TfL) announced. The £1.2 billion extension of the Northern line features two new stations – Nine Elms and Battersea Power Station – which will be within 15 minutes of the West End and … [Read more...] about Tube News: Opening date revealed for major expansion of Tube network on the Northern Line
Notting Hill Carnival boss ‘confident’ of 2022 return
The decision to take the Notting Hill Carnival off the streets for the second year running has affected the “hearts and minds” of those who love the event, its organizer has said. Matthew Phillip, executive director of Notting Hill Carnival Ltd, said canceling Europe’s biggest street party has hit those involved hard – but he is “confident” it will return next year. The … [Read more...] about Notting Hill Carnival boss ‘confident’ of 2022 return
Tube travel now at 50% of pre-pandemic levels
London Underground usage is regularly reaching at least half of pre-pandemic levels, Transport for London (TfL) said. Demand for the Tube on weekdays is often at 50% of what it was before the coronavirus crisis, and is hitting more than 60% at weekends. This is up from about 40% across the entire week in early May. An average of more than 1.8 million … [Read more...] about Tube travel now at 50% of pre-pandemic levels
Gatwick Airport still planning to bring emergency runway into routine use, increasing capacity
Gatwick is pressing ahead with its plan to bring its emergency runway into regular use despite the collapse in demand caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The UK’s second busiest airport said the work could be completed by 2029 and will align with the Government’s policy of “making best use of existing runways.” It also claimed it would be delivered in a “sustainable way … [Read more...] about Gatwick Airport still planning to bring emergency runway into routine use, increasing capacity
Changing the Guard ceremony returns to Buckingham Palace – Pictures and Video
Changing the Guard has been performed at Buckingham Palace for the first time since the start of the pandemic, with the musical backdrop paying tribute to the success of the Team GB Olympians. The colorful military spectacle – one of the most time-honored traditions at the Queen’s London home – was halted around 18 months ago to avoid attracting huge crowds of tourists … [Read more...] about Changing the Guard ceremony returns to Buckingham Palace – Pictures and Video
London Alert: There’s a Possible London Underground Strike Looming Next Week – TFL Warns of Significant Disruption
UPDATE FRIDAY AUGUST 20TH: The strike has been called off. Nothing to see here, move along. Planned strikes by London Underground drivers will cause severe disruption if they go ahead, Transport for London (TfL) has warned. Members of the Rail, Maritime, and Transport (RMT) union are due to walk out for 24 hours from noon on Tuesday, August 24, and Thursday, August 26, … [Read more...] about London Alert: There’s a Possible London Underground Strike Looming Next Week – TFL Warns of Significant Disruption
London’s Tower Bridge reopens to traffic after mechanical fault fixed
Tower Bridge has reopened to traffic after becoming stuck due to a technical problem. Images from The Shard skyscraper’s live camera facing east showed the two sides of the crossing rejoin at about midnight on Monday. A spokesperson for the City of London Corporation, which owns and runs the bridge, had earlier said: “Due to a technical issue, Tower Bridge is currently … [Read more...] about London’s Tower Bridge reopens to traffic after mechanical fault fixed
Tower Bridge in London stuck open after technical failure
Oh dear. Tower Bridge has been left open due to a technical fault, causing traffic problems in central London. I do hope the traffic backups aren't too bad tonight, London. The bridge, one of several over the River Thames that connects central and southern parts of the capital, has been stuck for more than an hour. Images from the scene on Monday afternoon show traffic … [Read more...] about Tower Bridge in London stuck open after technical failure
Andrew Lloyd Webber unveils £60 million Theatre Royal Drury Lane renovations
Andrew Lloyd Webber has unveiled the renovated Theatre Royal Drury Lane. The West End venue has undergone a £60 million transformation. Bar and restaurant space has been added to the 17th-century venue, which will be available to the public regardless of whether or not they have a theatre ticket. (Andy Paradise/PA) An auditorium has also been renovated. Lord … [Read more...] about Andrew Lloyd Webber unveils £60 million Theatre Royal Drury Lane renovations
Crossrail almost at ‘dress rehearsals’ ahead of possible February 2022 opening
Crossrail is set to have its “dress rehearsals” this year and could open by February 2022, MPs have been told. The Transport for London (TfL) project has faced problems in a number of areas, including construction work and signaling systems, with the impact of coronavirus also costing it £230 million, it has been said. However, Crossrail Ltd chief executive Mark Wild told … [Read more...] about Crossrail almost at ‘dress rehearsals’ ahead of possible February 2022 opening
Hammersmith Bridge to reopen for pedestrians and cyclists only
West London’s Hammersmith Bridge is to partially reopen on Saturday after passing safety checks. Hammersmith and Fulham Council said pedestrians and cyclists will be permitted to use the 134-year-old cast-iron structure. Vessels on the River Thames will also be allowed to pass beneath it. Cracks in the pedestals have led to motor vehicles being prohibited … [Read more...] about Hammersmith Bridge to reopen for pedestrians and cyclists only
Lost medieval sacristy to open to public at Westminster Abbey
A lost medieval sacristy at Westminster Abbey will open to the public for the first time this week as part of a new tour of locations not usually accessible to tourists. The 13th-century room was used by monks to prepare for church services and housed clothes and sacred items for Catholic mass. The sacristy was discovered as part of an archaeological dig in September 2020 … [Read more...] about Lost medieval sacristy to open to public at Westminster Abbey
Buckingham Palace all ready for public picnickers ahead of garden opening
The Buckingham Palace garden is opening to the public for picnics and self-guided tours for the first time on Friday (we sent Laura Porter to the press preview, and she'll have a more thorough review tomorrow!). Such has been the demand for tickets that additional places have been made available on dates throughout July to September. Tourists will be able to picnic on the … [Read more...] about Buckingham Palace all ready for public picnickers ahead of garden opening
Ugh the scourge of e-scooters are being tested in London
Rental electric scooters in London are “as safe as possible”, according to one of the firms involved in a trial which launches today in London. Previously, e-scooters were simply not allowed on Britain's roads, which was nice. No tripping over randomly left scooters everywhere that has become common in America's cities. The contraptions are “very stable” and have “the best … [Read more...] about Ugh the scourge of e-scooters are being tested in London
The Tube: Waterloo & City line reopens in London for first time since March 2020
The Waterloo & City line will reopen today for the first time since the start of the pandemic, Transport for London (TfL) has announced. The important London commuter link, which connects Waterloo and Bank stations in the center of the capital, closed in March 2020. Services will now run every five minutes Monday to Friday from 6 am to 10 am and 3.30 pm to 7 … [Read more...] about The Tube: Waterloo & City line reopens in London for first time since March 2020
Royal Mint Coin display honoring Queen lights up Tower of London
The Royal Mint has marked the coming official celebration of the Queen’s 95th birthday and her coronation anniversary with projections on the walls of the Tower of London of coins from her reign. The 90-foot display featured coins bearing the five effigies of the Queen used since she ascended the throne, and the new commemorative £5 coin minted to reflect her becoming the … [Read more...] about Royal Mint Coin display honoring Queen lights up Tower of London
Historic London pub rebuilt brick-by-brick after illegal demolition welcomes first customers inside
A pub that was rebuilt brick by brick after being illegally demolished by property developers has finally welcomed its first customers back inside. The Carlton Tavern in Maida Vale, north London, was pulled down by developers CTLX in 2015. But they were ordered to rebuild it exactly as it had stood by Westminster City Council because they had been refused planning permission to … [Read more...] about Historic London pub rebuilt brick-by-brick after illegal demolition welcomes first customers inside
Historic London retailer Arthur Beale to close store after 150 years
One of London’s oldest shops is to shut its doors for a final time after it said it was unable to pay its rent following the impact of the pandemic. Sailing outfitter Arthur Beale on Shaftesbury Avenue in the West End is to close after 150 years in the location. It was inevitable that some classic London places would not survive the economic damage of the pandemic. The … [Read more...] about Historic London retailer Arthur Beale to close store after 150 years
Final tile laid as major restoration project in Britain’s Parliament ends
The final handmade tile in the restoration of a lobby at the heart of the Palace of Westminster has been laid. Almost 60,000 have been restored and replaced in the middle of Central Lobby, including original ones which were designed by Augustus Welby Pugin that would have carried the footsteps of Winston Churchill, William Gladstone, Margaret Thatcher, and countless other … [Read more...] about Final tile laid as major restoration project in Britain’s Parliament ends
Princess Diana’s wedding dress to go on show at Kensington Palace
Diana, Princess of Wales’s famous wedding dress is to go on show at Kensington Palace for the first time in more than 25 years. The Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex have agreed to lend their mother’s romantic full silk taffeta bridal gown to Historic Royal Palaces for a temporary exhibition. Royal Style In The Making will open in the orangery of the princess’s … [Read more...] about Princess Diana’s wedding dress to go on show at Kensington Palace
New video artwork by acclaimed artist David Hockney displayed in central London
A new video artwork by David Hockney has premiered in central London. The artist’s work, titled Remember You Cannot Look At The Sun Or Death For Very Long, appeared on the Piccadilly Lights screen in Piccadilly Circus. It is also being shown on screens in New York, Los Angeles, Seoul, and Tokyo. (Ian West/PA) The video shows an animated sunrise and was created … [Read more...] about New video artwork by acclaimed artist David Hockney displayed in central London
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!