In the West, organized educational institutions have been around since the Middle Ages when churches set up schools to teach future priests and administrators. Besides that, few educational institutions existed until the first universities and almost nothing for children beyond apprenticeships. Greater London has over 3,000 schools today, and some of them have foundations … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five of the Oldest Schools in London
Columns
Top Ten London: 10 Fascinating and Beautiful London Housing Estates
Since the Victorian period, the British government and local councils have taken it upon themselves to ensure that housing was provided to the working classes. Part of this was out of concern for the health of lower-income persons who were often packed into slums as well as being a progressive step toward municipal planning. In the wake of destruction caused by the London … [Read more...] about Top Ten London: 10 Fascinating and Beautiful London Housing Estates
Great Londoners – Michael Faraday – The Master of Electricity
Michael Faraday is one of those great scientists whose discoveries really changed the world. Focused on electromagnetism and electrochemistry, Faraday changed what we know about electricity. His discoveries also led to several inventions including electrolysis, the Faraday cage to block electromagnetic fields, and the electric motor. It’s certainly fair to say that Faraday … [Read more...] about Great Londoners – Michael Faraday – The Master of Electricity
Laura’s London: Four New Permanent Galleries at the National Maritime Museum – Here’s Our First Look!
Following a major £12.6M redevelopment project, The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich has new permanent galleries open from 20 September 2018. 1,000m2 of space in the Museum's East Wing, previously closed to visitors, has been converted to public use adding an additional 40% of gallery space. And just like the rest of the Museum, these galleries are free to visit. The … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: Four New Permanent Galleries at the National Maritime Museum – Here’s Our First Look!
The London Fiver: 5 Christmas Markets To Plan To Visit During the Holiday Season
Once we get into November, the Christmas decorations go up all around London, and the Christmas Markets come out onto the city’s streets. Unlike the usual markets selling vintage goods, food, or clothing, obviously, these are geared more towards the festive season. While some take on the normal look of market stalls, others look like little cottages decked out in lights and … [Read more...] about The London Fiver: 5 Christmas Markets To Plan To Visit During the Holiday Season
Great Londoners – Geoffrey Chaucer
Geoffrey Chaucer was one of the greatest contributors to English literature with his work The Canterbury Tales. However, being a writer and poet was only part of what he did during his remarkable life. Chaucer was a Renaissance man before the term was even coined, serving as a bureaucrat, courtier, diplomat, astronomer, and philosopher. Part of what makes him one of the most … [Read more...] about Great Londoners – Geoffrey Chaucer
Laura’s London: A Look at the Courtauld Impressionists at The National Gallery – From Manet to Cézanne
For the first time in London for 70 years, the National Gallery is displaying major Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterworks from the Courtauld Gallery, purchased in the 1920s by Samuel Courtauld (1876–1947). These are shown alongside paintings from the National Gallery's own collection which the businessman and philanthropist financed and helped acquire. Courtauld … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: A Look at the Courtauld Impressionists at The National Gallery – From Manet to Cézanne
The London Fiver – Five Movies That Make Modern London Look Beautiful
Scenery porn is a phrase used to describe camera shots in films and TV programmes that take a long view of the landscape. Any production that films in a city certainly isn’t immune to it and London has a lot to show off. With that in mind, cinematographers certainly love to linger on shots of London’s skyline and landmarks, making our mouths water at the thought of visiting … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Movies That Make Modern London Look Beautiful
Exhibition Alert: Laura Visits the 2018 Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace – Prince Charles’s Favorites in the Royal Collection
For ten weeks each summer we get to go inside Buckingham Palace and see the State Rooms while the Queen is away at Balmoral (Scotland). There's also a special exhibition included and this year, to mark the 70th birthday of The Prince of Wales, the Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace includes a special display of over 100 works of art personally selected by His Royal … [Read more...] about Exhibition Alert: Laura Visits the 2018 Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace – Prince Charles’s Favorites in the Royal Collection
The London Fiver – Five London Bars Based on Television and Film To Visit
There are literally hundreds of pubs and bars all over London, and while many have a great British charm to them, sometimes you might be looking for something different. If you’re anything like me, you love movies and TV shows. You also love an immersive experience from your favorites in both mediums. As it so happens, there are several bars in London that can provide you … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five London Bars Based on Television and Film To Visit
The Fiver – Five of London’s Oldest Theaters
London is home to one of the best theater districts outside of Broadway. Most can be found throughout the city’s West End in Westminster and Camden. Naturally, being the center of the drama world means that the West End is also home to London’s oldest still-standing theaters, grand palaces built to house everything from Shakespeare to modern productions. We’ve managed to … [Read more...] about The Fiver – Five of London’s Oldest Theaters
Voice & Vote – Women’s Place in Parliament Exhibition at the Palace of Westminster
I hope you saw The London Annual 2018 as I had a feature in the magazine about Vote 100 marking the centenary of the Representation of the People Act 1918 which gave most men and some women the vote for the first time. There have been events all year to celebrate this 100 year anniversary but as this is about the right to vote it's fitting that the one you should really want … [Read more...] about Voice & Vote – Women’s Place in Parliament Exhibition at the Palace of Westminster
The London Fiver – Five Major Scientific Discoveries Made in London
Progress in science is one way by which we may judge a society, and London is a city that certainly has made a lot of progress over the centuries. Some of the greatest discoveries in biology, physics, chemistry, and medicine have been made on the streets and in the laboratories of London. Some of them are very well-known, while others might surprise you to know. Each of the … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Major Scientific Discoveries Made in London
Laura’s London: Exploring Clapham South Subterranean Shelter – Hidden London – From the Blitz to the Windrush
We all know there are tube train tunnels under London's streets, and we could guess there are some service tunnels for pipes, but it's still always a surprise to head down underground and find enough space for a village to live safely below. And that's what there is at the Clapham South Subterranean Shelter. This deep-level shelter had room for 8,000 people, and it only took … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: Exploring Clapham South Subterranean Shelter – Hidden London – From the Blitz to the Windrush
The London Fiver – Five of the Best Bakeries for Cookies in London
Cookies in the United Kingdom are not so different from those in the United States. Most Americans might think that all cookies are “biscuits” in Britain, but these two baked goods have very different meanings. While a “biscuit” is harder and crunchier, while a cookie is meant to be soft and chewie. Cookies can be found in bakeries all over London, and each one offers … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five of the Best Bakeries for Cookies in London
Laura’s London: A Look Behind the Scenes of the New Royal Academy of Arts Renovations Opening This Weekend
The Royal Academy of Arts is hardly new. In fact, it's celebrating it's 250th anniversary this year. But to mark the occasion the RA has undergone an enormous transformation and expansion. And the new Royal Academy is opening on Saturday 19 May 2018. About The Royal Academy The RA was founded in 1768 by a group of 40 artists and architects who became the first Royal … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: A Look Behind the Scenes of the New Royal Academy of Arts Renovations Opening This Weekend
Guest Post: Ten Amazing Secret Locations to Discover in London!
Editor's Note: This guest post was written by Matt and Jess, guides from Fun London Tours. They've been an advertiser on Londontopia for several years and runs some great tours on offer for visitors to London. Vist their website here and use coupon code: TOPIA20 to save 20% off your tour! By Fun London Tours If you're keen to discover a hidden side of London, then check … [Read more...] about Guest Post: Ten Amazing Secret Locations to Discover in London!
The London Fiver – Five of the Best Game and Entertainment Centers in London
Everyone enjoys playing video games, whether it’s old school Pac Man or newer team-based games such as Overwatch. There are plenty of options for gaming fun in London from those who just want an arcade machine for some single-player action to big-time eSports competitions. Other gaming opportunities even offer you the chance to fully immerse yourself in another world via … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five of the Best Game and Entertainment Centers in London
Laura’s London: Go Yonda Car Tours of London – A Cool New Self-Driving Tour of London
Yonda – with the slogan 'go Yonda' – is London's only self-drive sightseeing experience. The cars are small Smart cars (two and four-seaters available) installed with an easy-to-follow virtual guide that helps customers navigate London's streets while seeing the sights. Smart Cars The two-seater Smart cars are convertible (so you can really get closer to London weather!) … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: Go Yonda Car Tours of London – A Cool New Self-Driving Tour of London
The London Fiver – Five Ancient Ruins in London to Visit That Haven’t Been Swept Away By Time
London is an ancient city. Even before the Romans established their settlement of Londonium, people had lived in the area. However, the Romans were the first to erect permanent structures here, some of which have survived today as ruins, hiding amongst the buildings that succeeded them and today’s skyscrapers. Of course, not all of these buildings are Roman, and some of … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Ancient Ruins in London to Visit That Haven’t Been Swept Away By Time
Great Londoners: Joseph Bazalgette – The Man Who Ended The Great Stink
Joseph Bazalgette may not be a name that immediately comes to mind when you think of the city's greatest citizens, but people use his biggest contribution every day--the sewer system. During the 19th Century, he was London's chief engineer for the Metropolitan Board of Works and used his position to ease the city's sanitation problems. Bazalgette's efforts had a range of … [Read more...] about Great Londoners: Joseph Bazalgette – The Man Who Ended The Great Stink
The London Fiver – Five of the Most Expensive Apartment Buildings in London
Living in the city is hard. It’s also expensive. A common criticism of most cities is that home prices, and apartment rents are only getting more expensive. A city like London can certainly fit the bill when it comes to high rent prices. Of course, in a city full of movie stars, politicians, businessmen, and royals, there are plenty of people willing to pay for the richest … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five of the Most Expensive Apartment Buildings in London
Laura’s London: New Digger Deeper and Crossrail Secrets Exhibitions at the London Transport Museum
The London Transport Museum in Covent Garden has a new permanent gallery exploring the history of tunneling and a new temporary exhibition about Crossrail opening on 23 March 2018. Both are part of the national programme to celebrate the Year of Engineering 2018. Digging Deeper Gallery On the ground floor of the museum, this new gallery looks at the challenges of … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: New Digger Deeper and Crossrail Secrets Exhibitions at the London Transport Museum
The London Fiver – Five Events to Check out in London This Spring
Spring has sprung! From March through May, the warming of London invites more people to come out and participate in events that celebrate the season. Whether you’re looking for something to do as an adult or a fun activity for your kids, London has plenty to offer children of all ages. If you want to set a physical goal for yourself or just plan to engage in an East-themed … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Events to Check out in London This Spring
Trip Planning: Top 10 Exhibitions To Plan Your 2018 Trips to London Around
Editor's Note: This article is made up of extracts from the 2018 London Annual Guide to London in 2018 written by London expert Laura Porter. It's a massive article - over 20 print pages - too big to post here in one go. We still have copies of the Annual - you can get them here (we're almost out though so move quickly). But since people are planning trips for 2018, I thought … [Read more...] about Trip Planning: Top 10 Exhibitions To Plan Your 2018 Trips to London Around
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!
