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The Fiver – Five of the Highest Bars in London

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One of the best things to have with a good drink is a view.  Lots of places out there have rooftop bars or observation towers where one can get a cocktail, a pint, or a glass of wine and gaze out over the horizon.  London certainly has its share of high-altitude drinking establishments that rank amongst the highest in the UK and in Europe.  Whatever you’re in the mood for, each … [Read more...] about The Fiver – Five of the Highest Bars in London

Ten Small Craft Breweries to Visit in London

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Craft beer is the wave of the future.  So many new breweries have sprung up in the last few years it feels as if they’re reproducing at the same speed as rabbits.  The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) estimates there are 125 craft breweries in the city spread out amongst the boroughs and neighborhoods.  With so many throughout Greater London, it can be hard to determine which ones … [Read more...] about Ten Small Craft Breweries to Visit in London

Ten Unique Tea Rooms for Your Afternoon Tea in London

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Tea has been an important part of British culture since the 17th Century, and you’d be hard pressed to find a society on this side of the globe that loves it more.  While coffee houses preceded tea rooms in London, the culture quickly flipped when Thomas Twining opened the city’s first tea room in 1707.  Now you can find them in every borough and neighborhood.  While many offer … [Read more...] about Ten Unique Tea Rooms for Your Afternoon Tea in London

Springtime in London: Top Things to Do in London This Spring

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Spring appears to have sprung early in London this year. With the winter weather finally starting to thaw, spring is upon us, and that means an array of seasonal events in London.  The city is awash with festivals, sporting events, and ceremonies from March through May and there is enough variety to find something anyone will enjoy.  We have identified our top ten favorite … [Read more...] about Springtime in London: Top Things to Do in London This Spring

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

Built London: Top Ten Most Beautiful Victorian Buildings in London

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What we think of as “Victorian” architecture more refers to the period rather than a particular architectural style.  In fact, there were really several styles prevalent during the period that were revivals of previous designs:  Gothic, Italianate, Romanesque, Renaissance, Queen Anne, and Neoclassical.  Other methods and styles also developed as new materials came into … [Read more...] about Built London: Top Ten Most Beautiful Victorian Buildings in London

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!

Harry Potter News: Gringotts Bank Coming to the Harry Potter Studio Tour in April

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The Harry Potter Studio Tour is continually changing and updating to make sure they have a steady stream of repeat visitors. Today, they've announced that they'll be opening up Gringotts Bank to visitors. From the press release: For the first time ever at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, visitors are invited to enter the set of Gringotts … [Read more...] about Harry Potter News: Gringotts Bank Coming to the Harry Potter Studio Tour in April

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

Future London: Take a Look at London’s Future Symphonic Concert Hall

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London is a world-class city and one thing it lacks right now is a world-class symphonic concert hall. Yes, it has the Royal Albert Hall, but that's over 150 years old and not exactly to the standard of modern concert halls. This is set to change in the coming years and we now have our first good look at what the place could look like. The London Centre for Music is due to … [Read more...] about Future London: Take a Look at London’s Future Symphonic Concert Hall

Top 10 London: Top Ten Georgian Buildings in London

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With the coming of the Hanoverian kings came a new style of architecture that bore their name—Georgian.  This style of design was defined by symmetrical features, front entries with crowns, pilasters, and transom windows, corner quoins, cornice dentils, and typically made of stone or brick.  These features had their roots in ancient Greek and Roman design and the name stuck … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: Top Ten Georgian Buildings in London

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

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