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
Events
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
The London Fiver – Five Things to Look Forward to in London During 2021 Post-Pandemic
While we can agree that 2020 was a collective dumpster fire of a year, we look to 2021 with a renewed sense of hope now that the COVID-19 vaccine is among us. As the vaccine continues to be meted out to the citizens of the US and UK, there appears to be a light at the end of the tunnel of lockdown restrictions in London. With that sense of hope comes the possibility that some … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Things to Look Forward to in London During 2021 Post-Pandemic
Interactive Doctor Who Experience Coming to London – Advance Booking Opens Soon
This showed up in the inbox today and will delight Doctor Who fans who have been hungry for a Doctor Who themed attraction since the exhibition in Cardiff closed a few years ago. Though, I'm really surprised anything this far in advance has been announced when no one really knows what travel will look like in 2021. Still, it sounds fun. Might be worth booking anyway, even if … [Read more...] about Interactive Doctor Who Experience Coming to London – Advance Booking Opens Soon
Out of Austerity: The Festival of Britain 1951 – A History and Examination
The 1951 Festival of Britain was a post-war state-sponsored exhibition. At the time, rationing continued and austerity gripped the nation. London was shabby, rundown and gloomy so this bright and playful spectacular was a 'tonic for the nation' to promote the feeling of recovery. The city was scarred with bombsites and buildings hadn't been painted for ten years so the Festival … [Read more...] about Out of Austerity: The Festival of Britain 1951 – A History and Examination
London Fiver: Five of London’s Strangest Annual Events
London certainly sees its share of annual parades, festivals, and events from its Carnival to the Lord Mayor’s Show. Many of them highlight the history and cultural heritage of the city, though some are a little on the weird side. Certain events in London might seem odd to observers at first, but they can be just as fun. From annual traditions with a long history to races … [Read more...] about London Fiver: Five of London’s Strangest Annual Events
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
The London Fiver – Five Things to Do in March
Once March rolls around, the weather starts being a little warmer and friendlier, leading to a number of London festivals and other events throughout the city. Of course, the big event for the month is the city’s St. Patrick’s Day parade and festival, but there are plenty of other events you should check out if you’re going to find yourself in London during this time and don’t … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Things to Do in March
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
Special Exhibition Report: Viewing the Armada Portraits at Queen’s House in Greenwich – Faces of a Queen and The Woburn Treasures
For the first time ever the three surviving versions of the Armada Portrait of Elizabeth I are on display together in the Queen’s House in Greenwich (13 February – 31 August 2020). And a major collaboration with Woburn Abbey means even more significant works from their private art collection are on display in Greenwich too. If you do one special exhibition in Britain this year, … [Read more...] about Special Exhibition Report: Viewing the Armada Portraits at Queen’s House in Greenwich – Faces of a Queen and The Woburn Treasures
Exhibition Report: Meet Vincent van Gogh in London
From 7 February to 21 May 2020, the award-winning Meet Vincent van Gogh Experience is on display on London’s South Bank. The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam has found a new approach with this touring 3D experience. The museum's collection is quite small and vulnerable so this idea makes art accessible to a wider audience. It's an interactive and multi-sensory experience that … [Read more...] about Exhibition Report: Meet Vincent van Gogh in London
The London Fiver – Five Things to Do in London in February
Past the winter wonderland of the holidays and not yet into the warmth of Spring, London sees a number of events in February that get people out into the streets and into its venues. Several festivals take place during the month along with a couple of major events that provide just about anyone something fun to do. Whether you’re into cars, art, sport, or food and drink, … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Things to Do in London in February
The London Fiver – Five Things to Do in December
The holidays take over Greater London in December, but Christmas events aren’t the only things happening in the city. London has a lot going on during the month of December, and we’ve found quite a few things to do that aren’t necessarily related to Christmas, from great beasts to the chilliest of swim competitions. If you’re looking for London Christmas events, we also have … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Things to Do in December
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 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
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
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
The London Fiver – Five Cool Things to Do in London in August
As Summer starts to wind down, London still has plenty of fun activities for seasonal visitors. While we have covered other major events that go on during this month such as the Proms, the opening of Buckingham Palace to the public, and the Notting Hill Carnival, there are many other awesome events going on. They run the gambit of festivals, sport, musical theater, and just … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Cool Things to Do in London in August
Buckingham Palace Summer Opening Report: Queen Victoria’s Palace at the annual opening of the Buckingham Palace State Rooms
While the Queen takes a summer break in Scotland, we can tour the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace for the annual ten-week summer opening. This year the rooms are available to us from 20 July to 29 September 2019, and the special exhibition marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Queen Victoria. 'Queen Victoria's Palace' tells the story of how the young monarch turned an … [Read more...] about Buckingham Palace Summer Opening Report: Queen Victoria’s Palace at the annual opening of the Buckingham Palace State Rooms
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
The London Fiver – Five Things to Do in London in July
By July, we’re moving into the hotter months of a London summer, and the city’s activities heat up to match the temperature. While events like Pride in London, the Underbelly Festival, and the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships certainly attract a lot of attention, there are plenty of other great events to attend as well. We’ve managed to identify five different events you … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Things to Do in London in July
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
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!