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Laura’s London: Swinging London – A Lifestyle Revolution – New Exhibition Review

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The Fashion and Textile Museum, near London Bridge, has a new exhibition about 'Swinging London' for spring 2019. It looks at a truly innovative era in London's history, exploring the origins of Pop culture and how fashion, music and art were used to demand and effect societal change in the years that followed. London-born designers, Mary Quant and Terence Conran are now in … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: Swinging London – A Lifestyle Revolution – New Exhibition Review

Laura’s London: Take a First Look at the Beautiful Restored Painted Hall in Greenwich – Re-opening in March!

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Editor's Note: We have a real treat this week - Laura was given an exclusive tour of the newly restored Painted Hall in Greenwich before its re-opening so we're chuffed to bits that she's written up a huge report about it. Please consider subscribing to the Londontopia Magazine as it allows us to commission great articles like this. As reported here recently, The Painted … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: Take a First Look at the Beautiful Restored Painted Hall in Greenwich – Re-opening in March!

New in London: Mariage Frères Elegant Tea Room and Museum is Now Open in Covent Garden – We Send Laura Porter to Check it Out!

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The world's most exclusive purveyor of luxury teas and France's oldest tea house, Mariage Frères, has opened its first UK tea emporium in Covent Garden. In addition to being a new tea house in London, it also contains a small museum dedicated to tea. I've been waiting for this one as it was supposed to open in September 2018 but, due to delays with its heritage building, … [Read more...] about New in London: Mariage Frères Elegant Tea Room and Museum is Now Open in Covent Garden – We Send Laura Porter to Check it Out!

The London Fiver – Five of the Best Small Concert Venues

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It’s good to go out and hear live music.  No matter whether it’s classical, rock, punk, rap, jazz, or whatever makes your ears ring, there’s nothing like catching the vibrations of the sound as it hits you.  While London certainly has some great larger music venues such as the O2 Arena, the Roundhouse, and Royal Albert Hall, sometimes it’s better to find a smaller place.  A … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five of the Best Small Concert Venues

London Dreams: New Weekly Column About London – Our Favorite Place in London, Articles to Read and More!

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Welcome to London Dreams. This is the first in a new weekly column from me at Londontopia. I want to write more personal articles about London. Most of our articles are historical in nature or travel related - we don’t have much opportunity to share how we really feel about London. This column is a new concept and I’m sure it will evolve over the coming weeks and months. … [Read more...] about London Dreams: New Weekly Column About London – Our Favorite Place in London, Articles to Read and More!

The London Fiver: Five Unusual Ways to Celebrate Christmas in London

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There are lots to do in London during Christmas.  You can take in the lights in the city’s numerous shopping districts; you could pay a visit to Father Christmas, attend a church service, shop the Christmas markets, or have fun at Winter Wonderland.  Of course, for these more traditional events, there are some unique and odd things you can do in the city during the holidays.  … [Read more...] about The London Fiver: Five Unusual Ways to Celebrate Christmas in London

The London Fiver – Five of the Oldest Schools in London

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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

Top Ten London: 10 Fascinating and Beautiful London Housing Estates

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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

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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!

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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!

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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

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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

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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

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