Editor's Note: Unfortunately, I couldn't be there today for this special day, but thankfully Laura Porter was able to get out there and check out London's new railway today and write up this report for everyone. Thank you, Laura! We'll soon forget the long delay and the enormous cost as the Elizabeth Line opens today (24 May 2022). This is the most significant addition to … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: Elizabeth Line Opening Day First Person Report
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In Pictures: Thousands travel on Elizabeth line on first morning of passenger service
Thousands of people traveled on London’s £18.9 billion Elizabeth line railway in the first few hours of operation on Tuesday morning. Hundreds of transport enthusiasts gathered at stations in Paddington, west London, and Abbey Wood, south-east London, to be on the first trains, which departed shortly after 6.30 am. Transport for London (TfL) commissioner Andy Byford said the … [Read more...] about In Pictures: Thousands travel on Elizabeth line on first morning of passenger service
Countdown to Elizabeth Line opening tomorrow!
London’s new £18.9 billion Elizabeth line railway opens on Tuesday. The delayed and overbudget line will boost capacity and cut journey times for east-west travel across the capital. Services will begin in new tunnels under the center of the city at 6.30 am. Large numbers of transport enthusiasts are expected to be on the first departures. The Elizabeth line … [Read more...] about Countdown to Elizabeth Line opening tomorrow!
National Gallery to bring together work from renowned artists for the first time in 2023
A new exhibition of more than 100 paintings and sculptures by masters including Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh, and Piet Mondrian will go on display at the National Gallery next year. The ground-breaking exhibit titled After Impressionism will bring together radical art of European cities from 1886 to 1914 for the first time. The display will begin with work from late … [Read more...] about National Gallery to bring together work from renowned artists for the first time in 2023
Flags Go Up on Regent Street as London Prepares For Jubilee Celebrations
Patriotic bunting is up in London’s Regent Street, with more than 150 Union Flags decorating the West End shopping district, creating a beautiful scene as London gets ready for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in two weeks' time. Buckingham Palace has also posted an image of the behind-the-scenes preparations underway in the run-up to the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. A … [Read more...] about Flags Go Up on Regent Street as London Prepares For Jubilee Celebrations
Laura’s London: Exploring The Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret
The Old Operating Theatre Museum is a museum of surgical history housed in a church attic. Yes, there is so much about that sentence that needs explaining! The Museum has two parts: the Herb Garret and the oldest surviving operating theatre in Europe. Anniversaries This London Bridge attraction has been open for 60 years, but 2022 is also 200 years since the first … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: Exploring The Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret
New Tube map with Elizabeth Line published by Transport for London
Transport for London (TfL) has released a new Tube map with the Elizabeth line included for the first time. The new east-west railway has been added to the map ahead of its opening on May 24. It is displayed as a double purple line rather than a solid line to “differentiate the Elizabeth line as a new railway as opposed to a London Underground line”, TfL said. The Queen … [Read more...] about New Tube map with Elizabeth Line published by Transport for London
UK PM Announces Support for Shelved North-South Crossrail 2 Line
Boris Johnson has called for another multibillion-pound railway to be built in London after marking the completion of Crossrail. The Prime Minister said the Government would back Crossrail 2 – a proposed north-south rail link across London – but the capital’s businesses would need to develop a plan to pay for it. He said: “The real thing for us now is to think about … [Read more...] about UK PM Announces Support for Shelved North-South Crossrail 2 Line
Queen beams in sunshine yellow for surprise visit to open Elizabeth Line in London
The Queen has made a surprise appearance to officially open the completed Elizabeth line, named in her honor. She was given an Oyster card and shown how to use it on a ticket machine. The 96-year-old monarch, who now rarely carries out public engagements outside of her royal residences, joined her youngest son the Earl of Wessex at Paddington Station for the royal visit … [Read more...] about Queen beams in sunshine yellow for surprise visit to open Elizabeth Line in London
Bank branch of Northern line reopens after ‘vital’ work to ease Tube congestion
A key London Underground section has been reopened following a 17-week closure for major improvement work. Services resumed on the Bank branch of the Northern line on Monday after what London mayor Sadiq Khan described as “vital” work to ease congestion. The closure enabled 550 construction staff to complete a new Tube train tunnel and passenger concourse at Bank station … [Read more...] about Bank branch of Northern line reopens after ‘vital’ work to ease Tube congestion
London buses given purple makeover ahead of Platinum Jubilee
Eight London buses have been given a purple makeover to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Transport for London (TfL) said the vehicles began displaying their commemorative wraps on the capital’s roads on Friday. The revamp was funded by operators Arriva, RATP, Abellio, Go-Ahead, Metroline, and Stagecoach. Passengers using the Elizabeth line, Jubilee line, or … [Read more...] about London buses given purple makeover ahead of Platinum Jubilee
Ten More Interesting Facts about the Greater London Authority
Unlike any other local government in the United Kingdom, the Greater London Authority shares more in common with American city governments. It has a legislature and a mayor elected to four-year terms, it is a central authority for practically all of London (except for the City of London), and its policies impact the lives of 9 million people. We covered ten interesting facts … [Read more...] about Ten More Interesting Facts about the Greater London Authority
Tube Histories: A Brief History of the Circle Line
Prior to its expansion with a line to Hammersmith, the Circle Line lived up to its name by forming a loop that encircles much of inner London. Running through Chelsea and Kensington, the City of London, Hackney, Islington, the City of Westminster, and now to Hammersmith and Fulham, the Circle Line runs through practically every major Underground and railway station in London. … [Read more...] about Tube Histories: A Brief History of the Circle Line
Ten Romantic Places to Visit in London
Paris might be the “City of Love”, but London certainly has its share of romance. From picturesque Royal Parks to statues that celebrate love, the city has many romantic spots for you to take a loved one. We’ve identified ten different places for romance throughout London and many of them present a great opportunity for a date. If you need flowers, want to take a picnic, … [Read more...] about Ten Romantic Places to Visit in London
Crossrail is Coming: Frequently Asked Questions about the New Elizabeth Line Opening May 24th
The long-awaited Elizabeth line will finally open on May 24. Here are 10 key questions that have been asked about it and about what impact it will have on transport journeys in London. What area will the Elizabeth line cover? It will run from Reading in Berkshire and Heathrow Airport in west London, to Shenfield in Essex and Abbey Wood in south-east London, via the … [Read more...] about Crossrail is Coming: Frequently Asked Questions about the New Elizabeth Line Opening May 24th
Finally: London’s new £19bn Elizabeth line to open on May 24 – Crossrail Arrives!
London’s delayed and over-budget Elizabeth line railway will finally open on Tuesday, May 24, Transport for London (TfL) has announced. Services will initially operate from Mondays to Saturdays, allowing further testing and software updates to take place on Sundays. Crossrail – the project to build the new east-west railway – was due to be completed in December 2018 and was … [Read more...] about Finally: London’s new £19bn Elizabeth line to open on May 24 – Crossrail Arrives!
Ten Star Wars Actors from Greater London
You don’t have to be from London to make it as an actor, but it certainly helps. From the release of Star Wars: A New Hope in 1977 up to 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker, more franchise actors came from London than any other place in Britain. We’ve outlined ten of these actors below with a little bit about what part of London they’re from and the part they played. If you think … [Read more...] about Ten Star Wars Actors from Greater London
Qantas promises 20 hour non-stop flights from London to Sydney by 2025
Qantas has promised to start direct flights from Sydney to London by late 2025. The Australian airline has ordered twelve airbuses capable of flying non-stop to the UK and the US’s major cities. The long haul Sydney-London flight will take roughly 20 hours, making it one of the world’s longest. Qantas already provides a direct 17-hour flight between London and Perth. The … [Read more...] about Qantas promises 20 hour non-stop flights from London to Sydney by 2025
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella to End London West End Run Early
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s theatre group has faced criticism after it was announced that the West End production of the musical Cinderella is to close, with some current and future cast members suggesting they were only told when the news was made public. The production will close in the West End next month less than a year after its premiere. The show, which is being staged at … [Read more...] about Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella to End London West End Run Early
Musician performs inside London’s ‘Super Sewer’ to mark end of tunneling
A live concert was held inside London’s new ‘Super Sewer’ to commemorate the end of tunneling, before it closed forever. Composer and musician Rob Lewis gave a performance nearly 70 meters below ground inside the sewer – otherwise known as the Thames Tideway Tunnel – on Friday morning. The London-based artist played the cello to accompany his piece, called Tunnel To Tide, … [Read more...] about Musician performs inside London’s ‘Super Sewer’ to mark end of tunneling
Tube Histories: A Brief History of the Central Line
For over 121 years, the Central Line has been a central part of the London Underground. Its importance is can be exemplified by the fact that it’s the longest Tube line in the city at forty-six miles that serve forty-nine stations, from West Ruislip to Essex. The Central Line has been a vital part of London’s history and culture since it opened in 1900, and we’re going to … [Read more...] about Tube Histories: A Brief History of the Central Line
How the Platinum Jubilee Pageant will unfold stage by stage in London
Here is the rundown of the acts which make up the Jubilee Pageant, being staged on Sunday June 5 as the grand finale to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend: – ACT I: FOR QUEEN AND COUNTRY The pageant will begin with the ringing of the Westminster Abbey bells as they did on the Queen’s coronation day. A military parade will follow featuring all three services – the … [Read more...] about How the Platinum Jubilee Pageant will unfold stage by stage in London
Laura’s London: Rare Tour of The Speaker’s House State Apartments at the Palace of Westminster
For two weeks during the House of Commons Easter recess, there was the rare opportunity to see inside the Speaker's House. This was the first time tours of these State Apartments have been offered to the public so I booked quickly and got a ticket before all tours sold out. For over 160 years the State Apartments in Speaker’s House has hosted visits and dinners for Royalty … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: Rare Tour of The Speaker’s House State Apartments at the Palace of Westminster
Rail traveler gets surprise proposal at London’s Euston station
Euston station was the unlikely venue for a romantic proposal as a long-distance couple got engaged at one of the UK’s busiest interchanges. With commuters going about their business around them, Nirmal Chohan, who lives in London, got down on one knee in front of the departure boards as his girlfriend Vidya Patel arrived at the station on a visit from her home in … [Read more...] about Rail traveler gets surprise proposal at London’s Euston station
70ft living tree sculpture to stand outside Buckingham Palace for Jubilee
A huge sculpture made up of 350 British native trees is to be erected outside Buckingham Palace to mark the Queen’s historic Platinum Jubilee. An artist’s impression shows how the 70ft structure, made up of small trees in aluminum pots “sprouting” from timber-plank branches, will tower over the palace gates during the four-day bank holiday weekend in June. It will form a … [Read more...] about 70ft living tree sculpture to stand outside Buckingham Palace for Jubilee
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