Cities are always growing, always changing. While we work to preserve the history of graded structures, we also need new developments to meet the city’s needs for transport, business, housing, and more. Lots of proposals never come off the drawing board, but those that do begin construction promise to change the city’s fate. There are […]
Ten Interesting Facts and Figures about the Shard – The Tallest Building in the UK
Threading the skies over London like a great glass needle, the Shard is one of the city’s newest and most striking skyscrapers. Completed in 2013, it has 95 floors and stands at 1,106 feet, making it also the tallest structure in the city and the whole of the United Kingdom. In the short time that […]
The London Fiver – Five of London’s Oldest Hotels
It used to be that travelers’ only accommodations were the pubs and inns located all over the city. As the coaching inns grew in their grandeur and desire to cater to wealthy clients, they transformed into the first hotels, and then into luxury hotels during the later Victorian period. Many of the earliest hotels were […]
London Trip Planning: Ten of the Best Views of London
A great view can be absolutely breathtaking. Whether looking out over the distance on the ground or observing everything below when you’re high in the sky, a different look at a place can help give you a new perspective on a place. Every city has some pretty fantastic spots from which to view it, and […]
Great Londoners – Sir Giles Gilbert Scott – Designer of the Red Phone Box
Giles Gilbert Scott may not be the first person you think of when it comes to architecture in London, but he has certainly made his mark on the city. In fact, most people might consider his greatest design to be that of Liverpool Cathedral, but they walk past his most iconic creation every day. He […]
Not Falling Down: Ten of London’s Beautiful Bridges and Their Fascinating Histories
Bridges don’t just connect places, but they connect people. Since the earliest days of civilisation, we’ve used them to access new areas, trade with the people there, and travel further than we once thought imaginable. With a city such as London situated on the River Thames, bridges are a necessity, and thousands of people cross […]
Great London Buildings – The Tate Modern
There’s an old line from Monty Python’s Flying Circus that goes, “I don’t know much about art, but I know what I like.” Modern art may certainly seem strange to a lot of people, due to the fact that it can include just about anything, doesn’t necessarily depict traditional subjects, and can utilise some unusual […]
London Trip Planning: London 10 Newest Museums and Attractions for 2017
London is a city that is forever changing. That means that you’ll almost always find something new to do in London no matter how many times you’ve been there. The last few years have seen some really cool and innovative new attractions open in London; here are a few you should plan for your next […]
Advert Lights in Piccadilly Circus Shut Off Until Autumn – First Time in Many Years
If you pass through Piccadilly Circus after today, you will be presented with an unusual sight. The adverts that have adorned a building in the circus have been switched off. No, it’s not a sudden change of heart that advertising is terrible. It’s part of a major renovation of the sign. From the BBC: The billboard, […]
Great London Buildings – Somerset House
One of the stateliest homes in London, Somerset House at one point was a Tudor palace and today sees use as a venue for the arts and major event location for the city. Its history began in 1547 when Edward Seymour received a land grant from his brother-in-law, King Henry VIII. Following Henry’s death, Edward […]
Great London Places – Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Oftentimes, the Olympic Games come under fire for building these large sports complexes but having no real plan for them after the games are over. For Greece, its venues from the 2004 games in Athens have been a symbol of economic depression as stadiums, swimming facilities, and athletes’ dormitories go vacant and unused. On the […]
Great London Buildings – Chiswick House
One of the last Neo-Palladian manor homes left in London, it is named for the area of the city in which it can be found. The original Chiswick House was a Jacobean home built in approximately 1610 and was the property of the Wardour family. It was then sold to Robert Carr, 1st Earl of […]
London Alert: The Painted Hall in Greenwich is Closing for 6 Months
The Painted Hall, at the Old Royal Naval College, one of the Jewels of Greenwich will be closing for 6 months from Sunday. This is one of the most amazing things you need to see in Greenwich but if you’re planning on seeing it for the next 6 months, remove it from your itineraries. Why […]
Great London Buildings – The London Eye
Since 1999, the London Eye (also known as the Millennium Wheel) has dotted the skyline of London and added its distinctive shape to the buildings that line the Thames River. To some its a tourist attraction, to others, it’s an eyesore. Regardless of one’s opinion on the Eye, it is an iconic part of […]
Great London Buildings – The Royal Festival Hall
Part of Southbank Centre, the Royal Festival Hall is one of the finest concert venues in London. Able to seat 2,500 people, it is the first post-war building in the city to receive Grade I listed status. In fact, it’s partly because of the war that it was even built. South Bank was an area […]
Ten Interesting Facts and Figures about Claridge’s Hotel in London
One of the swankiest five-star hotels in London, Claridge’s has been a top place to stay since it opened in 1812. It’s seen many interesting uses as it grew, including a wartime base of operations, clandestine diplomatic meetings, and Hollywood star hangout. What was once a modest townhouse now encompasses almost an entire block and […]
Ten Interesting Facts and Figures about London’s Natural History Museum
Celebrating its 135th anniversary this year, the Natural History Museum in London began when medical doctor Sir Hans Sloane permitted the British government to buy his vast collection of biological artefacts. The collection became part of the British Museum at Montagu House, but by the mid-19th Century, it became painfully obvious that the British Museum […]
Ten Interesting Facts and Figures about Regent Street in London
Regent Street in West London acts as the border between Mayfair and Soho and represents one of the most important shopping districts in the city. Some of London’s oldest stores such as Hamleys and Liberty of London exist side-by-side with newer retailers including Hollister Co. and Apple. Whatever you’re looking for, you can guarantee that […]
Elizabeth Tower (aka Big Ben) Comes to Lego
I’m a huge fan of LEGO – I received the Lego Tower Bridge as a gift a few years ago and loved putting it together. Now we Londonphiles have a new set to put together – a new model of Elizabeth Tower (aka Big Ben) along with part of the Palace of Westminster. Here are […]
Great London Buildings: Battersea Power Station
For many years, Battersea Power Station has been an architectural icon of London, whether it was in use as a power station or not. Prior to the 1930s, power to the city was supplied by multiple smaller companies that supplied power to industries and sold the excess to the public. Many of these small companies […]
Great London Buildings – Old Royal Naval College Greenwich
A World Heritage site located in Maritime Greenwich, the Old Royal Naval College is one of the grandest examples of architecture in Greater London. Of course, the building there now is not the first one to exist on the site. In 1433, Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, built a palace named Bella Court, but after he […]
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!
