Founded in the 18th century, the Foundling Hospital was the first children's home in Britain. After much campaigning, sea captain and philanthropist Thomas Coram opened the doors in 1739 to care for babies at risk of abandonment. 18th Century London Hospitals In 1700 the only medical hospitals in London were the Royal Hospitals of St Bartholomew and St Thomas. There were … [Read more...] about London Long Read: The Fascinating History of the Foundling Hospital – London’s First Children’s Home
Columns
Terrible Thames Boat Tour Review – Horrible Histories Fun On The River
Who doesn't love a boat trip on The Thames? Combine that thrill with the fun of Horrible Histories 'on location,' and you're ready for the new Terrible Thames River Tour. Horrible Histories Horrible Histories is a multi-award-winning comedy sketch series from Children's BBC with some great songs as well (this one may well remind you of an Elvis tune!). Fact-filled and … [Read more...] about Terrible Thames Boat Tour Review – Horrible Histories Fun On The River
Five of London’s Oldest Breweries Still in Operation
Beer has been a part of British culture for centuries, and London has been the capital of some of its biggest breweries, such as Young’s or Fuller’s. However, not all of the city’s breweries still consider London their home, either having closed down like Whitbread (which ceased brewing operations in 2001) or Young’s (moved to Bedford). However, some of these giants remain … [Read more...] about Five of London’s Oldest Breweries Still in Operation
Paddington: The Story of the Bear – New Exhibition at the British Library
The famous polite bear from deepest darkest Peru is the feature of a new exhibition at the British Library. Paddington: The Story of a Bear is a family-friendly exhibition celebrating one of the world's most beloved fictional bears over 60 years on from when he was first published. As it's summertime, you may not need your duffle coat, but a marmalade sandwich packed lunch … [Read more...] about Paddington: The Story of the Bear – New Exhibition at the British Library
Picnic in the Queen’s Private Garden – Laura Porter Visits Buckingham Palace’s Garden
When attending the annual summer opening of Buckingham Palace, you do get to exit along the side of the garden. But for this year, there is a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" to freely explore the garden for the first time. And to enjoy a picnic on the lawn overlooking the Palace from July to September 2021. As I noted in my long-read about Buckingham Palace, the palace … [Read more...] about Picnic in the Queen’s Private Garden – Laura Porter Visits Buckingham Palace’s Garden
The London Fiver – Five Ghosts of Hampton Court Palace
A Grade I listed Royal Palace in the heart of Richmond, Hampton Court Palace, was the primary residence of King Henry VIII. Much of the original Tudor structure was subsequently demolished and rebuilt in a new style by King William II, but some of the castle’s previous residents remained. Several ghostly figures have been reported within the walls of Hampton Court Palace, … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Ghosts of Hampton Court Palace
Museum of the Home (formerly the Geffrye Museum) Re-opens After 3-year renovation – Check Out What’s Changed
When the Geffyre Museum closed in 2018, there was a lot of trepidation about its future. Often called a 'hidden gem,' it was a lovely little free museum that gave us an insight into Londoners' home life over the last 400 years. Three years later, it has been transformed and is now double the size with 80% more exhibition space. Still free, but with a new name, The Museum of … [Read more...] about Museum of the Home (formerly the Geffrye Museum) Re-opens After 3-year renovation – Check Out What’s Changed
Laura’s London: Bow Street Police Museum – A Brand New London Museum
London has a new independent museum in Covent Garden! Bow Street Police Museum is housed in one of London's first police stations. No. 28 Bow Street was the home of Bow Street Police Station and Magistrates' Court for over a century. The Museum tells the story of the Bow Street Runners, the country's first organized police force, and the Metropolitan Police officers who … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: Bow Street Police Museum – A Brand New London Museum
The London Fiver – Five of the Best Places to Watch Sports in London
If you can’t be at the game, sometimes the best you can hope for is a good place to watch it. In London, many of the city’s sports pubs rise to the occasion, not only providing good beer, tasty food, and fun entertainments, they also jam pack the place with television screens of all sizes. Some sports pubs even go out of their way to make sure they show a … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five of the Best Places to Watch Sports in London
Tudors to Windsors: British Royal Portraits – New Major Exhibition at The National Maritime Museum
This royal portraits exhibition at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich looks at the kings and queens who have shaped British history for over 500 years. There are many loans from the National Portrait Gallery, which has been made possible while that gallery is closed for redevelopment until spring 2023. For me, this was a real delight, and not only because it was my … [Read more...] about Tudors to Windsors: British Royal Portraits – New Major Exhibition at The National Maritime Museum
London Histories: A Look at Queen Elizabeth I’s Hunting Lodge in Epping Forest
As I mentioned in the recent Copped Hall article, I have been enjoying exploring Epping Forest during the lockdown restrictions. This time, we will have a closer look at an early and rare example of a hunting lodge in Chingford. Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge is a Grade II* listed building that has been saved as a museum. This old timber-framed and plastered building is a … [Read more...] about London Histories: A Look at Queen Elizabeth I’s Hunting Lodge in Epping Forest
The London Fiver – Five Musicals Set in London
London’s West End is regarded as one of the top theater districts in the entire world. From classics such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream to great musicals like Hairspray, you can see any number of staged productions. However, not as many of these shows are actually set in the city in which they’re being performed. While London may not be as popular a setting as New York, it … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Musicals Set in London
Laura’s London: Exploring Copped Hall – A Stunning Abandoned Stately Home in Epping Forest
During lockdown, I've been enjoying getting to know Epping Forest. It's truly vast and stretches across northeast London and out into the Essex countryside. A friend gave me a tip to find a disused stately home that had been left empty but was now being renovated. Copped Hall is near to Epping in Essex. It is an 18th-century mansion situated on high ground at the end of a … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: Exploring Copped Hall – A Stunning Abandoned Stately Home in Epping Forest
The London Fiver – Five of London’s Greatest Races
London is a city on the go—and that translates to racing! There are plenty of races that take place in London on foot, bicycle, car, and more. For those wanting to participate, there are races for amateurs and professionals as well as ones for the public and for members only. Regardless of whether you want to participate, there are still races you can view as a spectator. … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five of London’s Greatest Races
London 101: What is the London Congestion Charge?
Everyone hates traffic. No matter where you are in the world, there is nothing more frustrating than sitting behind the wheel of your car, needing to get somewhere, and moving at an absolute crawl. To find a solution to this issue in the most central areas of London, the City took a page from Singapore’s Electronic Road Pricing Toll System. Today, the London Congestion … [Read more...] about London 101: What is the London Congestion Charge?
London Fiver: Five of the Best Places in London for Bibliophiles
Many people enjoy reading a good book, whether curled on the count, in your bed, under a tree, wherever. Books take us to other times, other places, and even other worlds. There are plenty of places to enjoy books in London as the city includes some of the country’s greatest libraries, bookshops, and museums dedicated to the written word. If you have a love of literature, … [Read more...] about London Fiver: Five of the Best Places in London for Bibliophiles
London Histories: A Look Number 10 Downing Street – Home of Britain’s Prime Ministers – Long Read
Inspiration for new articles comes from many places, and this one was inspired by a bar of soap. No, really. I'll explain that connection below. It got me thinking about this seat of power that is both the home and workplace for the British Prime Minister. Number 10 Downing Street is a terraced Georgian building off Whitehall, and a short walk away from the Houses of … [Read more...] about London Histories: A Look Number 10 Downing Street – Home of Britain’s Prime Ministers – Long Read
The London Fiver – Five Places to Be Alone in London
Sometimes in the midst of a bustling city, we just want a little bit of peace and quiet. Of course, finding that place to be alone and collect your thoughts can prove a bit difficult when cars, busses, and people are moving ever so quickly around you. However, despite all this, there are places in London where you can achieve solitude or something close to it. Whether you … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Places to Be Alone in London
Laura’s London: Your Guide to The Thames Path – Come on a Virtual Walk!
We've looked at London's bridges over The Thames, with an in-depth look at London Bridge, so I thought it was time to look at the 'walking by the river' opportunities in London. The Thames Path National Trail The Thames Path has had National Trail status since 1989. It is a pedestrian route from the river's source near Kemble in Gloucestershire (Cotswolds) to the Thames … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: Your Guide to The Thames Path – Come on a Virtual Walk!
London Histories: Your Complete Guide to Beatles London
The Beatles have lots of London connections, including where they have lived, recorded and performed. I've lived close to many of these locations and had no idea the world's most famous band had been in the area. (The Beatles even performed at my local cinema in 1964!) Let's have a look at the neighbourhoods they knew well. Bloomsbury Royal National Hotel The Beatles … [Read more...] about London Histories: Your Complete Guide to Beatles London
London Histories: A History of All of London’s Royal Parks
There are eight royal parks in London that are royal because the lands have been owned by Kings and Queens. Most have been used as hunting grounds, so I thought it would be interesting to find out more about each park. Knowing you can take a stroll or stop for a picnic on a location once frequented by marauding royal hunters certainly adds to the sense of history in … [Read more...] about London Histories: A History of All of London’s Royal Parks
London Vignettes: The City of London on a Saturday
Editor's Note: This took place in the early 2000s. I was driven to explore as much of London as I could on foot. I was a mere 20 years old and the only thing that stood in my way was the weather. But on this occasion, I did not let the weather stop me. I took the Tube to the City of London and walked around with my camera. The City of London is the original 'London’ - the … [Read more...] about London Vignettes: The City of London on a Saturday
London Vignettes: Breakfast off the plane
Editor's Note: These memories are from the early 2000s. I don’t know about you, but the first thing I want to do when I arrive in London, is to get out of the bloody airport as quickly as possible. And eat. I’m always starving by the time we get through customs on arrival in the UK. The dinner served on the flight over is usually not very good or very filling. The … [Read more...] about London Vignettes: Breakfast off the plane
Laura’s London: A History of Hyde Park – Long Read
While it is a wonderful place for a walk, Hyde Park is also used for major concerts and the annual Winter Wonderland. But the park has a long history that includes reviews of troops, encampments, duels, highway robberies, executions and more. One of London's eight royal parks, Hyde Park is in central London and adjoins Kensington Gardens. Its borders start from the west of … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: A History of Hyde Park – Long Read
London Vignettes: The Lazy Daisy Cafe On Portobello Road
Editor's note because some people seem confused: this was in 2004. Because we were staying in a hotel that did not provide Breakfast (it was an easyHotel, which basically provided a windowless room to sleep in), by the time we arrived at Portobello Road, we were starving. The problem was that the market was already heaving, even though it was still relatively early in the … [Read more...] about London Vignettes: The Lazy Daisy Cafe On Portobello Road
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!