The V&A museum is preparing to open the first major UK exhibition exploring the work of the Renaissance sculptor Donatello. Launching on February 11, Donatello: Sculpting The Renaissance will examine the Florentine artist’s “innovations, collaborations and inspirations” within 15th-century Italy and the influence he had on subsequent generations. Among the some … [Read more...] about V&A set to open first major UK exhibition on Renaissance sculptor Donatello
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Ten National Trust Properties in London
The National Trust is the caretaker for many castles, manor homes, gardens, and parks throughout the United Kingdom. Of course, just because the Trust manages a lot of locations in the country doesn’t mean it doesn’t have places to visit in Britain’s cities and especially in London. London is home to over a dozen National Trust properties from the ancient to the modern, and … [Read more...] about Ten National Trust Properties in London
What’s On in London Events for February 2023
Here's our round-up of new exhibitions, shows, and other events taking place in London for February 2023. There's a lot to see and do this month! There are also quite a few events from last month still going on; you can see our list of those events here. Dirty Dancing 2 February – 16 April 2023 Dominion Theatre Nearest Station: Tottenham Court Road Exploding with … [Read more...] about What’s On in London Events for February 2023
Only Fools And Horses musical to close in West End after four years
Only Fools And Horses The Musical is to close at the Theatre Royal Haymarket after four years – becoming the West End venue’s longest-running production. Currently starring Paul Whitehouse as Grandad, the show has played more than 1,000 performances to some 750,000 people since opening in February 2019. The production is planning a UK tour and Whitehouse said they hope to … [Read more...] about Only Fools And Horses musical to close in West End after four years
Artist Ai Weiwei to launch first design-focused exhibition at London’s Design Museum
Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei is to take over London’s Design Museum with his first installation using design and history as a lens through which to consider what we value. Hundreds of thousands of objects, which have been collected by Weiwei since the 1990s as part of his ongoing fascination with artifacts and traditional craftsmanship, will be at the heart of the … [Read more...] about Artist Ai Weiwei to launch first design-focused exhibition at London’s Design Museum
London Travel Alert: Staff at British Museum to walk out during half-term break
Fresh strikes have been called by the biggest civil service union in its long-running dispute over jobs, pay and pensions. Members of the Public and Commercial Service union (PCS) at the British Museum will take industrial action during February half term. More than 100 members of the museum’s visitor services and security teams will take seven days’ action from February … [Read more...] about London Travel Alert: Staff at British Museum to walk out during half-term break
Poet Lemn Sissay ‘over the moon’ to receive Freedom of the City of London
Lemn Sissay, the official poet of the 2012 London Olympics, has been awarded the Freedom of the City of London. The writer and broadcaster, who was made an OBE in the 2021 Birthday Honours for services to literature and charity, was honored during a ceremony at Guildhall on Friday. One of the City of London’s ancient traditions, the Freedom is believed to have begun in … [Read more...] about Poet Lemn Sissay ‘over the moon’ to receive Freedom of the City of London
English Heritage has unveiled six new blue plaques for London
A female activist known as the “founding spirit” of the Notting Hill Carnival is among the people whose place in history will be marked with a blue plaque this year. Equality campaigner Claudia Jones, who pioneered the Caribbean festival in London, is included in English Heritage’s roster of culturally significant people whose former homes will be bestowed with the … [Read more...] about English Heritage has unveiled six new blue plaques for London
National Portrait Gallery to reopen in June with two special exhibitions
The National Portrait Gallery will reopen later this year with an exhibition of previously unseen photographs by Sir Paul McCartney from his early days in The Beatles. The archive features images taken between December 1963 and February 1964 – from the emergence of Beatlemania in Liverpool to performing on The Ed Sullivan Show in New York for an audience of millions. In … [Read more...] about National Portrait Gallery to reopen in June with two special exhibitions
Exploring The Cosmic House in London
The Cosmic House is the first Post-Modern house in the UK to be given Grade I listed status (meaning it must be preserved). Once the private residence of the late Maggie and Charles Jencks, the eccentric home opened to the public in September 2021 as a "cultural laboratory" and museum. From the outside, it doesn't necessarily stand out from all of the other large brick and … [Read more...] about Exploring The Cosmic House in London
Ten Social Media Accounts to Follow for Londonphiles
For good or for ill, social media is everywhere these days. We watch videos on Tiktok and Youtube, post our photos to Instagram, chat via WhatsApp, and keep in touch with our friends using Facebook. Social media can also be a useful place to find information (hopefully good information) about places we love. Of course, this includes London, and there are plenty of social … [Read more...] about Ten Social Media Accounts to Follow for Londonphiles
New Royal Academy Exhibition: Treasures from Spain and the Hispanic World
Presented in the Main Galleries at the Royal Academy in London from 21 January 2023, Spain and the Hispanic World celebrates the unrivaled collection of the Hispanic Society Museum & Library in New York. This landmark exhibition presents a visual narrative of the history of Spanish culture. It brings together outstanding works from Spain and colonial Latin America, from … [Read more...] about New Royal Academy Exhibition: Treasures from Spain and the Hispanic World
Pollock’s Toy Museum in London Has Closed Unexpectedly
One of London’s most famous tourist attractions - Pollock’s Toy Museum in central London - has closed its doors unexpectedly. The Toy Museum, located in a beautiful old Georgian building, was a popular tourist attraction, showcasing the history of toys from around the world. According to the statement released this week by the store on their website, they’ve been forced … [Read more...] about Pollock’s Toy Museum in London Has Closed Unexpectedly
The Fiver: Five Live-Action Children’s Shows Set in London
A lot of programming for children tends to be the animated variety, but over the years we’ve had a great amount of live-action content from educational programs to epic sci-fi journeys. The United Kingdom is certainly no slouch when it comes to providing its residents of all ages with quality content, including their own chat shows, soap operas, comedies, and more. We’ve … [Read more...] about The Fiver: Five Live-Action Children’s Shows Set in London
In Pictures: Winter Lights festival returns to London for first time since 2020
The award-winning Winter Lights festival has returned to London for the first time since 2020, illuminating Canary Wharf with a spectacular collection of more than 20 installations. The festival’s seventh year promises to leave the dark winter evenings aglow in an event running until January 28. It showcases installations by some of the most innovative light artists from … [Read more...] about In Pictures: Winter Lights festival returns to London for first time since 2020
Tube and London bus fares to rise by nearly 6% from March
Passengers using public transport in London face an average hike in fares of 5.9% from March 5 under proposals announced by mayor Sadiq Khan. The plan means the weekly cap for using buses and trams in the capital is set to increase by £1.40 to £24.70. London Underground passengers will see the weekly cap for travel in zones one and three rise by £3 to £48. The average … [Read more...] about Tube and London bus fares to rise by nearly 6% from March
London History: Ten Important Historical Events for London in the 2010s
The last decade in London was certainly an eventful one. From a year of protests to the Summer Olympic Games, there was no shortage of major happenings with the city. The population of London grew and so did its skyscrapers, with several new buildings changing the shape of Greater London’s skyline. From 2011 to 2020, the decade was filled with moments of tragedy and triumph, … [Read more...] about London History: Ten Important Historical Events for London in the 2010s
Win A Copy of London Black Cab Drivers’ Memoir
Last month we posted an excerpt from David Styles' memory of the London Black Taxi trade, Everyone is Entitled to My Opinion: A Journey Around a Cabbie's Capital. You can read it here. This month we've got TWO copies to giveaway to two lucky Londontopia readers! To enter, simply fill in the form below and agree to sign-up for email updates from Londontopia (we put out a … [Read more...] about Win A Copy of London Black Cab Drivers’ Memoir
The Fiver – Five of the Biggest Fan Conventions to Attend in London
Fan conventions allow a group of fervent supporters to get together and enjoy their favorite shows, films, literature, and more. Often as not, you’ll see the attendees dressed up in the costume of their favorite characters. These conventions are also great opportunities for the fans to interact with their favorite stars by getting autographs or taking photos with the guests. … [Read more...] about The Fiver – Five of the Biggest Fan Conventions to Attend in London
The Fiver – Five Live-Action Family Films Set in London
In the history of cinema, films of all genres have taken place in the United Kingdom’s capital city. Naturally, this includes a number of films aimed at children and families with stories that range from the fantastical to the heartwarming. These films can also be a good way to introduce your kids to the city before you travel there, and they can excitedly point to iconic … [Read more...] about The Fiver – Five Live-Action Family Films Set in London
Heathrow records biggest increase in passengers of any European airport
Heathrow said it recorded the largest increase in passengers of any European airport last year. The west London airport was used by 61.6 million passengers in 2022, up 42.2 million compared with 2021. It experienced a surge in passenger numbers after the UK scrapped all coronavirus travel restrictions in March last year, after having some of Europe’s toughest rules in … [Read more...] about Heathrow records biggest increase in passengers of any European airport
The Fiver: Five Things to Buy Before Your Trip to London
Trying to figure out what you need to pack before a trip can always be a struggle. Sometimes that also means figuring out what you need to buy before you leave. Do you need toiletries that’ll get past TSA? Should you buy those theater tickets before trying to hit the West End? There can be a lot of decisions to make when it comes to answering these questions, and we’re here … [Read more...] about The Fiver: Five Things to Buy Before Your Trip to London
Ten Cheap Things You Can Do in London on a Budget
London is a wonderful city to spend a lot of time in, but if you’re not careful, you can also end up spending a lot of money. Any capital city can be an expensive place to visit, but it also has some inexpensive attractions and activities as well. From low-cost movies to being your own tour guide, there are plenty of cheap options throughout the city that you can use to … [Read more...] about Ten Cheap Things You Can Do in London on a Budget
Ten More Great Cockney Phrases and their Meanings
Cockney rhyming slang is a major part of East London culture and a language that adds to the character of the East End. We recently covered ten great Cockney phrases we thought you should know but of course, with any subculture language, those ten are not the end of these great rhymes. We have found another ten Cockney rhyming slang words and phrases that we thought you … [Read more...] about Ten More Great Cockney Phrases and their Meanings
British Museum confirms ‘constructive discussions’ with Greece on Elgin Marbles
The British Museum has said it continues to have “constructive discussions” over the possible return of the Elgin Marbles to Greece after 200 years. The 2,500-year-old sculptures were removed from the Acropolis in Athens by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century, when he was the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire. The 17 artifacts were bought by the British … [Read more...] about British Museum confirms ‘constructive discussions’ with Greece on Elgin Marbles
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!