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
Culture
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
The London Fiver – Five of London’s Greatest Races
London is a city on the go—and that translates to racing! There are plenty of races that take place in London on foot, bicycle, car, and more. For those wanting to participate, there are races for amateurs and professionals as well as ones for the public and for members only. Regardless of whether you want to participate, there are still races you can view as a spectator. … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five of London’s Greatest Races
Ten World War II Movie Locations You Can Visit in London
Through World War II, London was a center of the United Kingdom’s battle against Nazi Germany and bore a heavy burden of the Axis attack. Appropriately because of its role throughout the conflict that spanned nearly six years, London has been a featured location in many movies made about the war. From the power of Whitehall to the Blitz rubble that used to be someone’s home, … [Read more...] about Ten World War II Movie Locations You Can Visit in London
London Fiver: Five of the Best Places in London for Bibliophiles
Many people enjoy reading a good book, whether curled on the count, in your bed, under a tree, wherever. Books take us to other times, other places, and even other worlds. There are plenty of places to enjoy books in London as the city includes some of the country’s greatest libraries, bookshops, and museums dedicated to the written word. If you have a love of literature, … [Read more...] about London Fiver: Five of the Best Places in London for Bibliophiles
The Age of the Iconic Routemaster Red London Bus Is Officially Over
The Red Routemaster Red London Buses are a London icon. Even after they ended their regular services over a decade ago, the allure and fame of the bus has continued. In a bid to respect this heritage Transport for London kept a few going on 'heritage' routes in Central London so tourists and enthusiasts could still ride them. Now, those days are officially over. The heritage … [Read more...] about The Age of the Iconic Routemaster Red London Bus Is Officially Over
The London Fiver – Five Places to Be Alone in London
Sometimes in the midst of a bustling city, we just want a little bit of peace and quiet. Of course, finding that place to be alone and collect your thoughts can prove a bit difficult when cars, busses, and people are moving ever so quickly around you. However, despite all this, there are places in London where you can achieve solitude or something close to it. Whether you … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Places to Be Alone in London
Ten Period Film Locations to Visit in London
Britain is certainly known for its period drama films, which is no surprise considering how much history the country has. Of course, this also extends to London, with its oldest intact building being the White Tower of the Tower of London, which is nearly a millennium old. With such a rich past, many of the UK’s period dramas have taken place here, and films have featured … [Read more...] about Ten Period Film Locations to Visit in London
London on Film: Ten Romantic Comedy Locations to Visit in London
Everyone loves a good Romantic Comedy, or Rom-Com, as it were. The United Kingdom has certain produced its fair share over the years, including a few not actually written and/or directed by Richard Curtis. Of course, whether it’s a film by Curtis or someone else, the odds are good that the movie is going to take place in London. London might not seem as romantic a city as, … [Read more...] about London on Film: Ten Romantic Comedy Locations to Visit in London
Top 10 London: Ten War Memorials in London
War is a terrible business. For hundreds of years, they have required the utmost sacrifice from the United Kingdom’s men and women to protect freedom and the lives of innocent civilians. It is with that in mind that each conflict has seen a monument erected to those who served and those who fell. As the nation’s capital, London has more than its fair share of such memorials … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: Ten War Memorials in London
The London Fiver – Five London Urban Legends
We’ve all heard an urban legend or two in our time. Whether it’s alligators in the sewer or something almost believable, rumors somehow persist in any city and turn into urban legends. Some have a bit of truth to them, while others are entirely fabricated. Even London is not immune to urban legends and has many of its own wild tales, and we have five of them to share with … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five London Urban Legends
London Histories: Your Complete Guide to Beatles London
The Beatles have lots of London connections, including where they have lived, recorded and performed. I've lived close to many of these locations and had no idea the world's most famous band had been in the area. (The Beatles even performed at my local cinema in 1964!) Let's have a look at the neighbourhoods they knew well. Bloomsbury Royal National Hotel The Beatles … [Read more...] about London Histories: Your Complete Guide to Beatles London
London on Film: Ten Sci-Fi Film Locations to Visit in London
London has certainly seen its share of filming over the years from movies of all genres. While the city is most often used for contemporary films, it has a tendency to travel back in time to Britain’s past. However, that’s not all, as London can travel into its future or transform entirely into other worlds. Through science fiction, London has often taken on so many … [Read more...] about London on Film: Ten Sci-Fi Film Locations to Visit in London
Ten Unusual Exhibits to See in London
London has its share of great museums, from the National Gallery to the British Museum. It even has a number of smaller, more specialty museums for toys, cartoons, advertising, and more. With so many museums throughout London, there are any number of unique and downright unusual exhibits. From signature clothing items of local celebrities to forgotten bits of London’s … [Read more...] about Ten Unusual Exhibits to See in London
London Pubs: Ten Thameside Pubs for a Pint and a View
Pubs are a dime a dozen in London, and all of them have something to offer patrons. Whether you’re looking for the oldest, the best-looking, the best food, or the best beer, you’re likely to find exactly what you want. Additionally, plenty of pubs throughout the city offer some fantastic views, including establishments along the River Thames. From the picturesque edges of … [Read more...] about London Pubs: Ten Thameside Pubs for a Pint and a View
London Vignettes: Breakfast off the plane
Editor's Note: These memories are from the early 2000s. I don’t know about you, but the first thing I want to do when I arrive in London, is to get out of the bloody airport as quickly as possible. And eat. I’m always starving by the time we get through customs on arrival in the UK. The dinner served on the flight over is usually not very good or very filling. The … [Read more...] about London Vignettes: Breakfast off the plane
The London Fiver – Five London Locations for Beatles Fans
Sure, the Fab Four certainly got their start in Liverpool playing at venues such as The Cavern Club, but London has its own special connections to the Beatles. From the venues, they played to the places where they lived (and still live today), Beatlemania has touched virtually every part of Britain’s capital. While there is no shortage of such musical locales to see in the … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five London Locations for Beatles Fans
Exploring Agatha Christie’s London – Places to See for Mystery Fans!
One of the most prolific mystery writers of all time, Agatha Christie wrote as many as 75 works over her career and created such well-know characters as Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot. Many of her stories featuring both characters and other literary sleuths she created largely take place in London. These works rely on places familiar to most readers as well as locales that … [Read more...] about Exploring Agatha Christie’s London – Places to See for Mystery Fans!
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!