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London Alert: The Painted Hall in Greenwich to Re-Open in March After Multi-year Restoration

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Great news! After being closed for almost two years and undergoing at £3 million restoration, The Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich will be re-opening to visitors! This place is sometimes referred to as the UK's 'Sistine Chapel' and it's an incredible sight to see in person. If you've been the Greenwich the last few years, you may have been … [Read more...] about London Alert: The Painted Hall in Greenwich to Re-Open in March After Multi-year Restoration

Ten of the Best Independent Cinemas in London

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Cinemas, or movie theaters as we call them in the states, are some of the greatest places to spend time.  Watching documentaries, comedies, foreign films, and more, we open ourselves up to whole other worlds.  While there are plenty of big-name movie palaces such as Odeon and Empire, there are plenty of small chains and independent cinemas throughout the city that are worth … [Read more...] about Ten of the Best Independent Cinemas in London

Top 10 London: The Ten Best London’s Stately Homes To Visit

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Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the Londontopia Print Magazine last summer. Support great long-form writing about London by subscribing to the Londontopia Print Magazine - the only print magazine dedicated completely to London. You can subscribe here. London is an incredibly posh city and some of the greatest places to live.  Beyond the palaces of royalty, … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: The Ten Best London’s Stately Homes To Visit

Alexandra Palace’s East Wing Opens To the Public After £27 Million Restoration – See Images of the New Interiors!

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It's so lovely to see London's iconic buildings get a new lease of life after restoration. The latest building in London to get the treatment is Alexandra Palace. While not really a 'palace' in the palace sense, Alexandra Palace has been a destination for entertainment since it was built in the Victorian Era. It's most famous as the place where the BBC started broadcasting … [Read more...] about Alexandra Palace’s East Wing Opens To the Public After £27 Million Restoration – See Images of the New Interiors!

Unbuilt London: Fun Look at Bonkers London Projects That Never Happened

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London has had many projects that never took off the ground. They were either ridiculous, impractical or too expensive. But it sure has created some interesting planning applications and proposals throughout London's history. The folks over at Barratt Homes have taken the historical proposals and did some photoshop magic to imagine what these plans would look like in modern … [Read more...] about Unbuilt London: Fun Look at Bonkers London Projects That Never Happened

London Maps: Check Out This Beautiful New Map of London History and Culture

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This came through the inbox the other day and I knew we had to share it. This beautiful new map from artist Cally Lathey and it took her 11 months to create. Wow! About the map: From Winehouse to Willesden, Elizabeth Taylor to Elephant and Castle, Bowie to Brockley... This map has it all. Did you know that Mozart wrote his first symphony in London in 1764? That Alfred … [Read more...] about London Maps: Check Out This Beautiful New Map of London History and Culture

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

Christmas in London: London Pantos to See This Christmas Season

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“Panto” short for “pantomime” is a type of play based upon traditional fairy tales.  These pantos rule London’s theater scene during the Christmas holidays, with stories ranging from traditional family fare to more “adult” performances.  Especially due to London’s status as the center of entertainment in the UK, many of the city’s pantos feature a number of big-name celebrities … [Read more...] about Christmas in London: London Pantos to See This Christmas Season

Ian McKellan To Go On Tour For His 80th Birthday – Tolkien, Shakespeare, others

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  Big news for fans of British star Ian McKellan, to celebrate his 80th birthday next year, he's going to go on a national tour around Britain, celebrating his greatest hits and raising funds for theatre. Here are the details: Ian McKellen is to celebrate his 8oth birthday next year by raising funds for theatres, with a new solo show which will play on 80 … [Read more...] about Ian McKellan To Go On Tour For His 80th Birthday – Tolkien, Shakespeare, others

London Alert: Tower of London Lights 10,000 Torches in its Moat in Remembrance of World War I – See it by Sunday!

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A very moving scene has been created in London at the Tower of London and you only have until the 11th to see it. 10,000 gas lanterns have been lit in the Tower's moat in commemoration of the end of World War I. If you're in London right now, you have until Sunday to see this. Go! I wish I was there to see it in person. From Historic Royal Palaces: As the nation … [Read more...] about London Alert: Tower of London Lights 10,000 Torches in its Moat in Remembrance of World War I – See it by Sunday!

Ten Interesting Facts and Figures about the Dorchester Hotel

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One of the pinnacles of prestige in London, the Dorchester Hotel is a five-star accommodation that is as known for luxury as the number of famous names who have stayed there since it opened in 1931.  Its guests have included everyone from poet Cecil Day-Lewis (father of actor Daniel Day-Lewis) to Queen Elizabeth II.  Designed in an art deco style, the hotel has maintained that … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts and Figures about the Dorchester Hotel

Iconic Battersea Power Station to Get Great Glass Elevator in Its Chimney Offering 360 Degree Views of London from 2021

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No, Willy Wonka isn't building a chocolate factory in London. Battersea Power Station, made famous by the iconic Pink Floyd's album cover and then became more famous as a white elephant changing hands several times, is to get a new tourist attraction. They're going to put a glass elevator in one of the smokestacks and offer travelers a chance to get 360-degree unobstructed … [Read more...] about Iconic Battersea Power Station to Get Great Glass Elevator in Its Chimney Offering 360 Degree Views of London from 2021

Carnaby Street Unveils Bohemian Rhapsody Christmas Lights

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We're very excited about the upcoming film about Queen called Bohemian Rhapsody and in celebration, Carnaby Street has decked out the street with Christmas Lights inspired by the song. They were switched on a few days ago (with surviving Queen members and film star Rami Malek present to do the honors). And they look amazing! The lights will grace Carnaby Street until early … [Read more...] about Carnaby Street Unveils Bohemian Rhapsody Christmas Lights

London Alert: Regent Street Christmas Light Switch-on Date Announced – November 15th

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Oxford Street announced last week and now Regent Street has announced when they'll be switching on their Christmas lights - November 15th. Here are the details: Home to the largest lights installation in the capital, Regent Street is best known for its awe-inspiring ‘The Spirit of Christmas’ lights. These stunning suspended spirits were inspired by Regent Street’s very … [Read more...] about London Alert: Regent Street Christmas Light Switch-on Date Announced – November 15th

Wands At The Ready! Giant Harry Potter Wands Unveiled On Walk to St Paul’s Cathedral

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We reported on this a couple weeks ago (and it was the most popular thing we've posted in months!) so we figured we would let everyone know that the Giant Harry Potter Wands are now on display on the walk to St Paul's Cathedral from the Millenium Bridge for a very limited time. Put up to coincide with the upcoming film Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, Fantastic … [Read more...] about Wands At The Ready! Giant Harry Potter Wands Unveiled On Walk to St Paul’s Cathedral

Built London: Brutalist Architecture in London

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Cold, geometrical, bland.  These are some of the words used to describe the aptly-named “Brutalist” style of architecture.  Brutalism had its heyday from the early 1950s through the mid-1970s and is largely associated with government buildings or government-sponsored projects.  In the United States, we can see examples of it in the FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C., Boston … [Read more...] about Built London: Brutalist Architecture in London

Stanfords, My Favorite Bookstore in London, Is Moving From its Iconic Current Location after More than a Century

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  This news has gutted me. I try to take the changing face of London in stride. London is an ever-changing city that has never existed in a static state. But this one hurts. Stanfords, the iconic travel bookstore, has been based in their Long Acre Street location since 1901. Famed for their selection of maps, explorers and adventurers throughout history have bought … [Read more...] about Stanfords, My Favorite Bookstore in London, Is Moving From its Iconic Current Location after More than a Century

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

London Alert: Giant Harry Potter Wands to Light Up the Path to St Paul’s from October to November

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Attention Harry Potter fans who will be in London later this month! In celebration of the upcoming sequel to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, 9 giant wands will light the path from Millenium Bridge to St Paul's Cathedral to promote the film but also raise awareness of JK Rowling's charity work Lumos (which seeks to end the institutionalization of children). From … [Read more...] about London Alert: Giant Harry Potter Wands to Light Up the Path to St Paul’s from October to November

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!

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

London Bookshop Dreams: Adventures in Buying More Books Than My Luggage Can Carry

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Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the Anglotopia Print Magazine is 2017. Support great long-form writing about Britain by subscribing to the Anglotopia Print Magazine. Subscribe here.  Books are my favorite souvenir from my travels in England. I love picking up new books about England for my library back home. Each book is a tangible reminder of the trip and … [Read more...] about London Bookshop Dreams: Adventures in Buying More Books Than My Luggage Can Carry

New Museum Alert: Body Worlds Coming to London as a Permanent Museum

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  When Ripley's Believe it or Not in Piccadilly Circus closed earlier this year, we all wondered what would replace it since it was such a prominent location. Well, now we have an answer. Body Worlds, the famous exhibition that showcased real preserved bodies in various states, is getting a permanent home in London. Body Worlds is coming to 1 Piccadilly Cirus. … [Read more...] about New Museum Alert: Body Worlds Coming to London as a Permanent Museum

London Alert: Announcing the 2019 London Annual Guide to London in 2019 – Pre-orders Now Open

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It’s that time of year again - time to begin our orders for the London Annual - our guide to what to see and do in London in 2019. This is our third year in producing this special publication and it has become very popular. We're taking advance orders for two weeks! This year’s London Annual will be in the same format as last year’s; it will be 128 full-color pages. It's … [Read more...] about London Alert: Announcing the 2019 London Annual Guide to London in 2019 – Pre-orders Now Open

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