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
History
Ten Important London Events of the 1910s
A new king ushered in a decade of upheaval in London. While the 1910s brought such great moments as the Coronation of King George V and the first Chelsea Flower Show, it was also an unparalleled time of death thanks to World War I and the Spanish Flu epidemic. It seemed that for every good thing that happened between 1911 and 1920, there was something terrible that followed. … [Read more...] about Ten Important London Events of the 1910s
A Look at London’s Hotel of Spies – St Ermin’s Hotel – Special Operations Executive (SOE) History and New Display
St Ermin's is a four-star hotel close to the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace. That means it is also close to many government offices and has a history of involvement with the UK intelligence services from WWI to the present day. St Ermin's Hotel History Initially built as a mansion block in 1889, it was always going to be better suited as a hotel as all of the … [Read more...] about A Look at London’s Hotel of Spies – St Ermin’s Hotel – Special Operations Executive (SOE) History and New Display
Ten Most Important London Events of the 1900s
The Twentieth Century marked the beginning of many changes for London. It began with the end of an era, carried through two world wars, and a time of cultural and technological revolution. The 1900s saw the death of a monarch, the opening of several important institutions, and even the city’s first Olympic Games. This list that follows is by no means exhaustive of the events … [Read more...] about Ten Most Important London Events of the 1900s
London Long Read: The Fascinating History of the Foundling Hospital – London’s First Children’s Home
Founded in the 18th century, the Foundling Hospital was the first children's home in Britain. After much campaigning, sea captain and philanthropist Thomas Coram opened the doors in 1739 to care for babies at risk of abandonment. 18th Century London Hospitals In 1700 the only medical hospitals in London were the Royal Hospitals of St Bartholomew and St Thomas. There were … [Read more...] about London Long Read: The Fascinating History of the Foundling Hospital – London’s First Children’s Home
Terrible Thames Boat Tour Review – Horrible Histories Fun On The River
Who doesn't love a boat trip on The Thames? Combine that thrill with the fun of Horrible Histories 'on location,' and you're ready for the new Terrible Thames River Tour. Horrible Histories Horrible Histories is a multi-award-winning comedy sketch series from Children's BBC with some great songs as well (this one may well remind you of an Elvis tune!). Fact-filled and … [Read more...] about Terrible Thames Boat Tour Review – Horrible Histories Fun On The River
Ten Interesting Facts about Georgian London
Running through the reign of the Hanoverian kings from George I to William IV, the Georgian period began in 1714 and went to 1837. The culture of the time was largely defined by writers such as Jane Austen, musicians including John Handel, and architects such as John Nash. At the center of it all, as was the case throughout British history, was the City of London. London … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts about Georgian London
Ten Interesting Facts about Victorian London
The Victorian period follows the life and reign of Queen Victoria, from her ascension to the throne in 1837 to her death in 1901. In many ways, her reign was a golden age for Britain as the British Empire expanded to its greatest height, advancements in science and technology abounded, and London's construction helped transform it into a city we recognize today. Of course, … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts about Victorian London
Lost medieval sacristy to open to public at Westminster Abbey
A lost medieval sacristy at Westminster Abbey will open to the public for the first time this week as part of a new tour of locations not usually accessible to tourists. The 13th-century room was used by monks to prepare for church services and housed clothes and sacred items for Catholic mass. The sacristy was discovered as part of an archaeological dig in September 2020 … [Read more...] about Lost medieval sacristy to open to public at Westminster Abbey
The London Fiver – Five Ghosts of Hampton Court Palace
A Grade I listed Royal Palace in the heart of Richmond, Hampton Court Palace, was the primary residence of King Henry VIII. Much of the original Tudor structure was subsequently demolished and rebuilt in a new style by King William II, but some of the castle’s previous residents remained. Several ghostly figures have been reported within the walls of Hampton Court Palace, … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Ghosts of Hampton Court Palace
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
A Brief History of London Theater
As well-known as Broadway is to American Theater, the West End is the heart of London’s vibrant drama scene. On the other side of the Thames River, you can find the recreated Shakespeare’s Globe that pays homage to the city’s history with the creative arts. And while a place such as the Globe honors London theater today, it also calls to mind that theater was not always … [Read more...] about A Brief History of London Theater
A Brief History of London’s Ring Roads
Traffic calming and efforts to ease congestion have taken many forms throughout the world and especially in London. Today, emphasis on public transportation, bike shares, and the advent of the London Congestion Charge at the beginning of the century are the primary ways that the city seeks to make it easier to get around. In the 1960s, the Greater London Council (the … [Read more...] about A Brief History of London’s Ring Roads
London Histories: A Look at Queen Elizabeth I’s Hunting Lodge in Epping Forest
As I mentioned in the recent Copped Hall article, I have been enjoying exploring Epping Forest during the lockdown restrictions. This time, we will have a closer look at an early and rare example of a hunting lodge in Chingford. Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge is a Grade II* listed building that has been saved as a museum. This old timber-framed and plastered building is a … [Read more...] about London Histories: A Look at Queen Elizabeth I’s Hunting Lodge in Epping Forest
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
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
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
Ghosts of the Tower of London
There’s no question that London is one of the most haunted places in the world, a subject we have covered in past articles. Perhaps of all places in London, the Tower of London ranks as the most haunted of all. Part of the city since William the Conqueror had it built in the 1080s, it has alternately been a royal residence, prison, military stronghold, and museum. Many a … [Read more...] about Ghosts of the Tower of 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: A History of All of London’s Royal Parks
There are eight royal parks in London that are royal because the lands have been owned by Kings and Queens. Most have been used as hunting grounds, so I thought it would be interesting to find out more about each park. Knowing you can take a stroll or stop for a picnic on a location once frequented by marauding royal hunters certainly adds to the sense of history in … [Read more...] about London Histories: A History of All of London’s Royal Parks
Laura’s London: A History of Hyde Park – Long Read
While it is a wonderful place for a walk, Hyde Park is also used for major concerts and the annual Winter Wonderland. But the park has a long history that includes reviews of troops, encampments, duels, highway robberies, executions and more. One of London's eight royal parks, Hyde Park is in central London and adjoins Kensington Gardens. Its borders start from the west of … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: A History of Hyde Park – Long Read
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!
A Brief History of London’s Buses
London’s buses are an iconic symbol of the city. The red double-decker isn’t seen as heavily in any other part of the world and they are as much a part of London as the Tower Bridge, Parliament, and Buckingham Palace. Of course, these buses known as the Routemaster weren’t the first to offer transport for Londoners. buses on the streets of this great metropolis stretch back … [Read more...] about A Brief History of London’s Buses
London Identity: Just What is a Londoner Anyway?
We all live somewhere, and while we don’t often think about it, that place has a capacity to identify us. Rightly or wrongly, the perception of a place gives an identity not only to the city itself but all who live in it. Additionally, we develop a community identity that may self-identify us, but how does this apply to Londoners? Given the size of Greater London, do the … [Read more...] about London Identity: Just What is a Londoner Anyway?
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!