The decision to take the Notting Hill Carnival off the streets for the second year running has affected the “hearts and minds” of those who love the event, its organizer has said. Matthew Phillip, executive director of Notting Hill Carnival Ltd, said canceling Europe’s biggest street party has hit those involved hard – but he is “confident” it will return next year. The … [Read more...] about Notting Hill Carnival boss ‘confident’ of 2022 return
Culture
The London Fiver – Five War Museums to Visit in London
Over the course of the centuries, the country has often called on its men and women to go to war to defend its ideals. In the last century, we’ve seen a greater recognition for the toll it takes and an appreciation for those who answered the call through monuments and museums. London’s war and military museums dedicate themselves to honoring all who served and remembering the … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five War Museums to Visit in London
An Overview of Open House London
Open House London is an annual festival meant to celebrate the city’s architecture. It’s part of the larger Open City charity, an organization made up of fifty charities in various cities that focuses on architecture and design and how these affect our lives. Throughout the year, Open City puts on educational programs in schools, hosts a podcast, publishes books, and engages … [Read more...] about An Overview of Open House London
London Theatre: Final Cast Announced for Hilary Mantel’s The Mirror and the Light (Wolf Hall Sequel)
The cast has been officially announced for the upcoming play adaptation of Hilary Mantel's The Mirror and the Light. Full details are below in the press release from the producers. Producers Playful Productions and the Royal Shakespeare Company have announced final full casting for The Mirror and the Light in the West End. The third and final novel in the Wolf Hall trilogy has … [Read more...] about London Theatre: Final Cast Announced for Hilary Mantel’s The Mirror and the Light (Wolf Hall Sequel)
A Brief Overview of the Lord Mayor’s Show
A city such as London certainly enjoys a high level of pageantry, and even a municipal change of power can’t go without a great celebration. Such is the case for the Lord Mayor’s Show, the parade that marks the beginning of the annual term for the head of the City of London. The Lord Mayor is different from the Mayor of London as the City of London is different from Greater … [Read more...] about A Brief Overview of the Lord Mayor’s Show
Sculpture in The City – Outdoor Artworks in The City of London
Sculpture in The City is an annual free open-air art exhibition. It takes place across the City of London – that's the old part of town; the financial district. Amongst the iconic architecture of skyscrapers, historic and landmark buildings, there are 19 contemporary public artworks on display by internationally acclaimed and emerging artists. Tenth Anniversary Sculpture in … [Read more...] about Sculpture in The City – Outdoor Artworks in The City of London
The London Fiver – Five of the Best Places for Street Food in London
You may be reading this and wondering, “What is street food?” Street food is something ready-to-eat and usually sold by someone from a cart or a stall. It’s different from a food truck in that it’s not necessarily made-to-order and doesn’t rely on or a van (even if the “kitchen” can be broken down and moved to another location). London has its share of street food vendors … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five of the Best Places for Street Food in London
Britain’s New National Holocaust memorial will be built in Westminster in Victoria Tower Gardens
A national Holocaust memorial centre will be built next to Parliament after a minister signed off on a recommendation that the location would present a “powerful associative message.” The Board of Deputies of British Jews welcomed the decision by housing and planning minister Chris Pincher, which came after local public inquiries were held in October and November due to the … [Read more...] about Britain’s New National Holocaust memorial will be built in Westminster in Victoria Tower Gardens
Andrew Lloyd Webber unveils £60 million Theatre Royal Drury Lane renovations
Andrew Lloyd Webber has unveiled the renovated Theatre Royal Drury Lane. The West End venue has undergone a £60 million transformation. Bar and restaurant space has been added to the 17th-century venue, which will be available to the public regardless of whether or not they have a theatre ticket. (Andy Paradise/PA) An auditorium has also been renovated. Lord … [Read more...] about Andrew Lloyd Webber unveils £60 million Theatre Royal Drury Lane renovations
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
Hammersmith Bridge to reopen for pedestrians and cyclists only
West London’s Hammersmith Bridge is to partially reopen on Saturday after passing safety checks. Hammersmith and Fulham Council said pedestrians and cyclists will be permitted to use the 134-year-old cast-iron structure. Vessels on the River Thames will also be allowed to pass beneath it. Cracks in the pedestals have led to motor vehicles being prohibited … [Read more...] about Hammersmith Bridge to reopen for pedestrians and cyclists only
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
Temporary Man-made mountain art installation at Marble Arch to offer sweeping views of London
Tickets for a 25-meter man-made mountain in the middle of one of London’s busiest tourist areas have gone on sale. The Marble Arch Mound, created by Westminster City Council, will open up to members of the public from July 26 until January 2022. Visitors will be able to see sweeping views of the capital’s Oxford Street, Hyde Park, Mayfair, and Marylebone as part of a … [Read more...] about Temporary Man-made mountain art installation at Marble Arch to offer sweeping views of London
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
A Brief History of London Theater
As well-known as Broadway is to American Theater, the West End is the heart of London’s vibrant drama scene. On the other side of the Thames River, you can find the recreated Shakespeare’s Globe that pays homage to the city’s history with the creative arts. And while a place such as the Globe honors London theater today, it also calls to mind that theater was not always … [Read more...] about A Brief History of London Theater
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
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
Ten Interesting Facts about St. James’s Palace
The most senior Royal Palace, St. James’s Palace, has been the seat of the British monarchy for centuries even though the Sovereign does not live there. As such, the gorgeous Tudor-style building has been a key part of history since its construction and has many interesting stories to tell. We’ve collected at least ten of these into the facts below, and they range from the … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts about St. James’s Palace
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
Final tile laid as major restoration project in Britain’s Parliament ends
The final handmade tile in the restoration of a lobby at the heart of the Palace of Westminster has been laid. Almost 60,000 have been restored and replaced in the middle of Central Lobby, including original ones which were designed by Augustus Welby Pugin that would have carried the footsteps of Winston Churchill, William Gladstone, Margaret Thatcher, and countless other … [Read more...] about Final tile laid as major restoration project in Britain’s Parliament ends
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
Princess Diana’s wedding dress to go on show at Kensington Palace
Diana, Princess of Wales’s famous wedding dress is to go on show at Kensington Palace for the first time in more than 25 years. The Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex have agreed to lend their mother’s romantic full silk taffeta bridal gown to Historic Royal Palaces for a temporary exhibition. Royal Style In The Making will open in the orangery of the princess’s … [Read more...] about Princess Diana’s wedding dress to go on show at Kensington Palace
New video artwork by acclaimed artist David Hockney displayed in central London
A new video artwork by David Hockney has premiered in central London. The artist’s work, titled Remember You Cannot Look At The Sun Or Death For Very Long, appeared on the Piccadilly Lights screen in Piccadilly Circus. It is also being shown on screens in New York, Los Angeles, Seoul, and Tokyo. (Ian West/PA) The video shows an animated sunrise and was created … [Read more...] about New video artwork by acclaimed artist David Hockney displayed in central London
Napoleon statue in London at Aspley House conserved ahead of 200th anniversary of his death
A statue and death mask of Napoleon kept at the former London residence of the Duke of Wellington have been cleaned and conserved ahead of the 200th anniversary of the French emperor’s death. The mask of the military leader’s face was made upon his death on May 5, 1821, while the Napoleon As Mars The Peacemaker statue was sculpted between 1802 and 1806. English Heritage … [Read more...] about Napoleon statue in London at Aspley House conserved ahead of 200th anniversary of his death
Big Ben to Chime Regularly Again From Next Year – Elizabeth Tower restoration to be completed in 2022
Big Ben will ring again from early next year as the restoration of Parliament’s Elizabeth Tower nears completion. The refurbishment of the Westminster landmark, which has already spiraled to at least £80 million, was originally expected to be finished this year but was delayed as the Covid-19 crisis held up work. In a statement, UK Parliament authorities said: “The … [Read more...] about Big Ben to Chime Regularly Again From Next Year – Elizabeth Tower restoration to be completed in 2022
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!