The Museum of Brands in Notting Hill features the evolution of packaging design and brands with thousands of items on display. So many of the household items we all have in our cupboards are included in the huge glass cabinets. If you're ready for a nostalgia-filled hour, then this is the place to visit. About The Museum of Brands There's one man behind this obsessive … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: Exploring London’s Museum of Brands
Museums
London’s Natural History Museum new photo exhibition to highlight a ‘planet under pressure’
A blood-spattered lioness, a gecko wrestling for its life in the grip of a snake, and a slick of dead and dying herrings are among the photographs submitted to a prestigious exhibition. The Natural History Museum has released a selection of the highly commended images for its Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, which show a “planet under pressure”. Among the … [Read more...] about London’s Natural History Museum new photo exhibition to highlight a ‘planet under pressure’
The London Fiver – Five War Museums to Visit in London
Over the course of the centuries, the country has often called on its men and women to go to war to defend its ideals. In the last century, we’ve seen a greater recognition for the toll it takes and an appreciation for those who answered the call through monuments and museums. London’s war and military museums dedicate themselves to honoring all who served and remembering the … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five War Museums to Visit in London
Britain’s New National Holocaust memorial will be built in Westminster in Victoria Tower Gardens
A national Holocaust memorial centre will be built next to Parliament after a minister signed off on a recommendation that the location would present a “powerful associative message.” The Board of Deputies of British Jews welcomed the decision by housing and planning minister Chris Pincher, which came after local public inquiries were held in October and November due to the … [Read more...] about Britain’s New National Holocaust memorial will be built in Westminster in Victoria Tower Gardens
Picnic in the Queen’s Private Garden – Laura Porter Visits Buckingham Palace’s Garden
When attending the annual summer opening of Buckingham Palace, you do get to exit along the side of the garden. But for this year, there is a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" to freely explore the garden for the first time. And to enjoy a picnic on the lawn overlooking the Palace from July to September 2021. As I noted in my long-read about Buckingham Palace, the palace … [Read more...] about Picnic in the Queen’s Private Garden – Laura Porter Visits Buckingham Palace’s Garden
Museum of the Home (formerly the Geffrye Museum) Re-opens After 3-year renovation – Check Out What’s Changed
When the Geffyre Museum closed in 2018, there was a lot of trepidation about its future. Often called a 'hidden gem,' it was a lovely little free museum that gave us an insight into Londoners' home life over the last 400 years. Three years later, it has been transformed and is now double the size with 80% more exhibition space. Still free, but with a new name, The Museum of … [Read more...] about Museum of the Home (formerly the Geffrye Museum) Re-opens After 3-year renovation – Check Out What’s Changed
Laura’s London: Bow Street Police Museum – A Brand New London Museum
London has a new independent museum in Covent Garden! Bow Street Police Museum is housed in one of London's first police stations. No. 28 Bow Street was the home of Bow Street Police Station and Magistrates' Court for over a century. The Museum tells the story of the Bow Street Runners, the country's first organized police force, and the Metropolitan Police officers who … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: Bow Street Police Museum – A Brand New London Museum
Tudors to Windsors: British Royal Portraits – New Major Exhibition at The National Maritime Museum
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
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
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
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
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
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
The Tate Britain Gets a Colorful Winter Makeover With Annual Art Installation
The last few years the Tate Britain has commissioned a colorful light-based art project to adorn the front of the building. The results have been both controversial and beautiful. This year, a year where most of us can't even see it in person, Tate has unveiled the latest Winter Commission, which takes inspiration from Bollywood and many other sources. It's beautiful when … [Read more...] about The Tate Britain Gets a Colorful Winter Makeover With Annual Art Installation
Museums of London: Ten Overlooked London Museums
When people go to London, they tend to hit the major sites from Buckingham Palace to the Tower Bridge. This extends to the city’s museums as well, with most people opting for The National Gallery, The British Museum, the V&A, and so on. But what of London’s smaller museums? Don’t they deserve love too? Sure they do, and while they may not have the biggest draws, they … [Read more...] about Museums of London: Ten Overlooked London Museums
The London Fiver – Five Virtual London Museum Tours You Can Take Now From Home
So quarantine has got you stuck indoors, but that doesn’t mean you can’t visit London’s museums anyway. During this time, some of London’s greatest repositories of history and art have used their talents to create online portals so that visitors can still enjoy them from the comfort of home. Even when traveling to London becomes an option but you can’t make it, you can … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Virtual London Museum Tours You Can Take Now From Home
Ten Things to See at the Victoria & Albert Museum of Childhood
Despite the name, the V&A Museum of Childhood is a place for all ages. Located in Bethnal Green, the Museum of Childhood is a museum both for children and about adolescence. Founded in 1872 as the Bethnal Green Museum, its collection is the largest amount of childhood objects in the United Kingdom, featuring over 26,000 pieces of art, literature, clothing, toys, and more, … [Read more...] about Ten Things to See at the Victoria & Albert Museum of Childhood
Top Ten Things to See at the London Transport Museum
Getting around London has been a big deal for centuries. Going back to the beginning of the 1800s when horse-drawn buses transported everyday citizens and handsome cabs were available for those with more means, transporting Londoners from one point to another has been a major part of the city. The London Transport Museum exists to document this history from its earliest days … [Read more...] about Top Ten Things to See at the London Transport Museum
Ten Things to See at the Museum of London
London’s only museum dedicated solely to itself, the Museum of London was born in 1965 out of the Museum of London Act. When it opened in 1976, it featured the combined collections of the City of London at London Guildhall and the London Museum at Kensington Palace. Its exhibits are dedicated to the city’s history and are separated into various eras from prehistoric London … [Read more...] about Ten Things to See at the Museum of London
Top 10 London: Ten Things to See at the Victoria and Albert Museum (When it Reopens…)
More than an art museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum is dedicated to applied and decorative arts and design. This goes beyond painting and sculpture to photography, fashion, logos, furniture, textiles, and more. This means the museum’s collection is quite expansive, clocking in at over 2.27 million objects. With so many things to see in the V&A, it can be hard to … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: Ten Things to See at the Victoria and Albert Museum (When it Reopens…)
Laura’s London: Special Exhibition Report – Andy Warhol at Tate Modern
A new major exhibition at Tate Modern looks at Andy Warhol from his childhood in Pittsburgh through to his one of his final works. It's a fresh look at the extraordinary life and work of the pop art superstar and offers a rare personal insight into how Warhol and his work marked a period of cultural transformation. Featuring over 100 works, the exhibition shows how this … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: Special Exhibition Report – Andy Warhol at Tate Modern
Florence Nightingale in 200 Objects, People and Places – New Special Exhibition at the Florence Nightingale Museum
Florence Nightingale (12 May 1820 – 13 August 1910) was born in Florence, Italy, to a wealthy British family. In her bicentenary year, London's Florence Nightingale Museum is celebrating the life and legacy of the lesser-known aspects of her life with a special exhibition. The museum tells the story of this deeply religious woman who broke social conventions. Nightingale in … [Read more...] about Florence Nightingale in 200 Objects, People and Places – New Special Exhibition at the Florence Nightingale Museum
London’s Non-Free Museums: Your Guide to London’s Museums That Charge Admission
While London has many fantastic free museums and galleries there are some that have an admission charge. This list is by no means exhaustive but these are the ‘pay for’ London museums we would like to highlight. We’ve tried to focus on the best museums and have avoided listing common tourist traps. When you have to pay to get into a museum, especially in London where most … [Read more...] about London’s Non-Free Museums: Your Guide to London’s Museums That Charge Admission
Exhibition Report: David Hockney – Drawing from Life at the National Portrait Gallery
There's a new exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery featuring one of the most influential British artists of the 20th century. David Hockney: Drawing from Life is the first major exhibition devoted to David Hockney's drawings in over twenty years. There are around 150 works from public and private collections on display. The exhibition traces the trajectory of his … [Read more...] about Exhibition Report: David Hockney – Drawing from Life at the National Portrait Gallery
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!