When it comes to a good pub, the ale is the thing you’re looking for most, then the food, and then the atmosphere. Of course, the appearance of any pub is an important part of the experience, and whether you’re looking for your new local or visiting from out of town, you want to be in a place that meets your expectations. Plenty of London’s pubs are beautiful places inside … [Read more...] about Fancy a Pint? Ten of London’s Most Beautiful Pubs
Culture
Exhibition Report: George IV – Art and Spectacle at The Queen’s Gallery
A new exhibition at the Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace, looks at a king who collected and commissioned many of the finest works of art in the Royal Collection. George IV: Art and Spectacle makes it clear he was a patron of the arts and while he didn't hold back on the spending, he did have good taste. This is the official state portrait of George IV by Sir Thomas Lawrence, … [Read more...] about Exhibition Report: George IV – Art and Spectacle at The Queen’s Gallery
The London Fiver – Five of the Best Places for Christmas Shopping On Your Holiday Visits to London
The mad shopping season of Christmas is upon us. As we venture out of our homes, we brave crowded streets and shopping centers in search of those items that will tell our friends and family how much we love them. London is a shopper’s paradise throughout the year, but things turn up a notch after Halloween ends. The Christmas decorations go up on the high streets, the … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five of the Best Places for Christmas Shopping On Your Holiday Visits to London
London Alert: The National Portrait Gallery to Close for Three Years for Major Refurbishment
The National Portrait Gallery is often lost in the museum shuffle in London, mostly because it's located behind the National Gallery, so it's often an afterthought for tourists. And frankly, if you're walking from Trafalgar Square to Leicester Square or Covent Garden, it's easy to walk right past it and not know that it's there. They aim to change that with a major renovation … [Read more...] about London Alert: The National Portrait Gallery to Close for Three Years for Major Refurbishment
The History of Jim Henson and the Muppets in London
Jim Henson and the Muppets have long had a history with London. Well before they crossed the Atlantic Ocean, however, the Muppets were a creation of Jim Henson originating in 1955 with Kermit the Frog. For much of the 50s and into the 1960s, Henson’s Muppets (a portmanteau of “marionettes” and “puppets”) featured in late-night talk shows and commercials. It was the advent of … [Read more...] about The History of Jim Henson and the Muppets in London
The London Fiver – Five Things to Do in November
Things certainly start getting colder in London during November, but the city is still smoking hot with events all month long. From Diwali on the Square to the Lord Mayor’s Show, there are plenty of major things happening, but that’s not all. Food, art, and automobiles are also on tap for this month, and we’ve outlined five cool events going on during November that you should … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Things to Do in November
The Brit Film Fiver – Five Scary London Horror Films To Watch This October
Awooooooooo! Werewolves of London! Of course, the werewolves aren’t the only monsters haunting the city’s streets in horror films. London has seen itself preyed upon by all manner of creatures in cinema including werewolves, mummies, aliens, murderous fiends, and the devil himself. Plenty of films made have used London as a backdrop and provide any Londonphile with … [Read more...] about The Brit Film Fiver – Five Scary London Horror Films To Watch This October
The London Fiver – Five of the Most Unusual London Restaurants
Food’s great, but sometimes you need a little ambience. In a city such as London, the atmosphere in a restaurant can range from the traditional to the eclectic and plenty of restaurants offer their own unique experience along with a great menu. Looking at London’s more colorful restaurants, you can find places where performances are happening all around you, you can dine like … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five of the Most Unusual London Restaurants
Exhibition Report: The New Hidden London Exhibition at the London Transport Museum
I'm fortunate to have been on all of the London Transport Museum 'Hidden London' tours of disused stations and tunnels but not everyone has had that opportunity. The tours are only available on certain dates (not all year round), and the (sometimes) long climbs may have put you off. Some say the tours are expensive (I think they are exceptional value) and also, children can't … [Read more...] about Exhibition Report: The New Hidden London Exhibition at the London Transport Museum
The Fiver – Five Things to Do in London in October
The spookiest month of the year is upon us and that brings with it a number of Halloween and fall-related events to Greater London. However, if you don’t feel up for the festivities, you can get into costume for other reasons, experience art and literature, or celebrate other cultures. We’ve found five different activities going on in London during the month of October that … [Read more...] about The Fiver – Five Things to Do in London in October
Exploring London Mercantile History at the Lloyd’s Register Building
While you may have seen the Lloyd's of London building in the City of London designed by Richard Rogers, do you know about the Collcutt building? As part of Heritage Open Days, I went to visit the Lloyd's Register building on Fenchurch Street. Designed by Thomas Collcutt, this late-Victorian office opened in 1901 as a statement building and a sign of prosperity. Lloyd's … [Read more...] about Exploring London Mercantile History at the Lloyd’s Register Building
Top Ten Works of Art to See at the Tate Britain
The Tate Britain is the flagship of the Tate museum group and has been a fixture in British art since it opened in 1897. Its collection is full of art from throughout the United Kingdom going back to the Tudor era and includes some of the country’s biggest names from J.M.W. Turner to William Blake. With so many works over such a long span of time, there are plenty of … [Read more...] about Top Ten Works of Art to See at the Tate Britain
The London Fiver – Five of the Best Sweet Shops To Visit On Your Next Trip (Don’t Tell Your Dentist!)
Besides the costumes, one of the top reasons to celebrate Halloween are the sweets that flow freely around the holiday. London certainly has its share of candy shops, from stores selling classic treats to chefs with confectioneries of their own making. No matter what kind of candy you want, you should be able to find it in London, and we’ve outlined five different candy shops … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five of the Best Sweet Shops To Visit On Your Next Trip (Don’t Tell Your Dentist!)
The London Fiver – Five Things to Do in September
As we move fully into Autumn, London ramps up its events, with festivals, live art, concerts, plays, and more. In the past, we’ve covered events such as the Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival, the Totally Thames Festival, and the Underbelly Festival that all go on during this month. Well, we’ve brought you five new events that you may not have known about until now. … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Things to Do in September
Ten Foods and Drinks You Probably Didn’t Know Were Invented in London
Most of the world doesn’t think of Britain as a food hub, much less London as a cuisine capital. However, it might surprise you to know some of the world’s favorite foods, and indeed, some of the UK’s most well-known dishes were invented right in London. Drinks, appetizers, entrees, and desserts can all call the UK capital home. Whatever you’re in the mood for, we recommend … [Read more...] about Ten Foods and Drinks You Probably Didn’t Know Were Invented in London
Top Ten Things to See in the Imperial War Museum
Almost immediately following World War I, the United Kingdom felt it was necessary to have a museum to document the civil and military efforts to win the war. Since it opened in 1917, the Imperial War Museum has grown to encompass five locations throughout Britain, including three locations in London. Its collection and exhibits have also grown to include wars from throughout … [Read more...] about Top Ten Things to See in the Imperial War Museum
Exhibition Report: The Moon – 50th Anniversary Apollo Exhibition at National Maritime Museum in Greenwich
To celebrate 50 years since NASA's Apollo 11 mission landed the first humans on the Moon, the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich is staging the UK's biggest exhibition dedicated to Earth's nearest celestial neighbour. The Moon is open from 19 July 2019 and charts the cultural and scientific story of our relationship with the moon through over 180 objects, including artefacts … [Read more...] about Exhibition Report: The Moon – 50th Anniversary Apollo Exhibition at National Maritime Museum in Greenwich
First Look at the Proposed Designs for the new Museum of London
The Museum of London is moving in a few years, in a deal that has long been in the works. They're moving to the abandoned Smithfield Market, which has been derelict for a few years. It's going to be an amazing project that will transform an iconic London landmark and save it from demolition. As they begin the planning application process to get approval for the new museum, the … [Read more...] about First Look at the Proposed Designs for the new Museum of London
Heathrow Airport Unveils Master Plan for Third Runway – Standby for Pretty Pictures
Heathrow is getting a third runway whether anyone likes it or not. It's been a long, drawn-out process but it's the policy of the current British government that a third runway at Heathrow be permitted. As Heathrow Airport, which is now privately owned and desperately wants the new runway to increase capacity, begins the massive consultation process needed to get it approved, … [Read more...] about Heathrow Airport Unveils Master Plan for Third Runway – Standby for Pretty Pictures
Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See in the Tate Modern Art Museum
Housed in the former Bankside Power Station, the Tate Modern is a repository of art from 1900 to the present. With thousands of items in their collection and over 5 million visitors per year, the Tate Modern is the second-largest art museum in the UK. As such, you can believe there are many interesting works to see from Warhol, Matisse, Picasso, Pollack, and more. Since art … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See in the Tate Modern Art Museum
British Museum: Top Ten Artifacts to See in the British Museum When You Visit
Since 1753, the British Museum has been a repository of world culture in the United Kingdom. The earliest exhibits came from the personal collection of physician and scientist Sir Hans Sloane, but was the British Empire rose to prominence; it began to receive many unique items from locations all over the globe. It grew so much over its 250-plus years that it … [Read more...] about British Museum: Top Ten Artifacts to See in the British Museum When You Visit
Ian McKellen’s One-Man Show Comes to the West End for One Man Show from September
Ian McKellen has been touring Britain, doing a one-man show based on his career, raising money for charity in celebration of his 80th birthday. The show sold out and he's been wowing crowds all over Britain. Now, news has come in that he will continue to the show with an extended run in the West End at the Harold Pinter Theatre starting September 20th. It will continue until … [Read more...] about Ian McKellen’s One-Man Show Comes to the West End for One Man Show from September
Guest Post: London’s Top 7 Lost Street Names
Editor's Note: The following is a guest post from Evan Evans Tours in London. The history of London is long, complicated and steeped in mystery. Fortunately for us, there are clues to the truth of it woven into the very fabric of its streets. When you take a walk through London, you’re contributing to the story of a city that has been thousands of years in the making. We’re … [Read more...] about Guest Post: London’s Top 7 Lost Street Names
London Alert: St Paul’s Cathedral Has Lifted Its Ban on Photography (with come caveats)!
Great news for photographers and visitors to St Paul's Cathedral in London. They have ended their ban on photography within the cathedral. This is wonderful news. Many people flouted the ban anyway (and if you did, you would get a telling off, as I did 15 years ago). Now, the Cathedral has decided to let everyone take pictures of this truly wonderful architectural jewel. They … [Read more...] about London Alert: St Paul’s Cathedral Has Lifted Its Ban on Photography (with come caveats)!
London Exhibition Report: Leonardo da Vinci: A Life in Drawing – Blockbuster New Exhibition at Buckingham Palace
Marking the 500th anniversary of the death of Leonardo da Vinci, this exhibition at the Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace, brings together more than 200 of the Renaissance master's greatest drawings in the Royal Collection. As the Royal Collection has more drawings by Leonardo da Vinci than any other Renaissance artist, it forms the largest exhibition of his work in over 65 … [Read more...] about London Exhibition Report: Leonardo da Vinci: A Life in Drawing – Blockbuster New Exhibition at Buckingham Palace
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!
