Lemn Sissay, the official poet of the 2012 London Olympics, has been awarded the Freedom of the City of London. The writer and broadcaster, who was made an OBE in the 2021 Birthday Honours for services to literature and charity, was honored during a ceremony at Guildhall on Friday. One of the City of London’s ancient traditions, the Freedom is believed to have begun in … [Read more...] about Poet Lemn Sissay ‘over the moon’ to receive Freedom of the City of London
London News
Pollock’s Toy Museum in London Has Closed Unexpectedly
One of London’s most famous tourist attractions - Pollock’s Toy Museum in central London - has closed its doors unexpectedly. The Toy Museum, located in a beautiful old Georgian building, was a popular tourist attraction, showcasing the history of toys from around the world. According to the statement released this week by the store on their website, they’ve been forced … [Read more...] about Pollock’s Toy Museum in London Has Closed Unexpectedly
Heathrow records biggest increase in passengers of any European airport
Heathrow said it recorded the largest increase in passengers of any European airport last year. The west London airport was used by 61.6 million passengers in 2022, up 42.2 million compared with 2021. It experienced a surge in passenger numbers after the UK scrapped all coronavirus travel restrictions in March last year, after having some of Europe’s toughest rules in … [Read more...] about Heathrow records biggest increase in passengers of any European airport
National Portrait Gallery announces reopening date in June 2023
The National Portrait Gallery in London has set the date it will reopen three years on from its closure due to renovation. The public can enjoy the improvements, the biggest development since the building in St Martin’s Place, close to Trafalgar Square, opened in 1896, on June 22, 2023. It has been closed since 2020 to refurbish the building, redisplay the collection, … [Read more...] about National Portrait Gallery announces reopening date in June 2023
Heathrow Airport employs Dave the robot dog
Heathrow Airport has employed a robotic dog called Dave in a bid to improve efficiency and safety on major construction projects. Dave is a robot developed by Boston Dynamics, an American engineering and robotic company, and is being trialed in partnership with Mace, a global consultancy and construction company, with Dave providing 3D laser scans of the ongoing refurbishment … [Read more...] about Heathrow Airport employs Dave the robot dog
We Will Rock You will return to London’s West End for a 12-week residency
Queen guitarist Brian May said he is “thrilled” to have We Will Rock You back on stage in London 21 years after the show burst on to the capital. The hit musical, which features 24 of Queen’s greatest songs, will run for 12 weeks at the London Coliseum – where the rock band’s frontman Freddie Mercury performed with the Royal Ballet in 1979. Comedian and screenwriter Ben … [Read more...] about We Will Rock You will return to London’s West End for a 12-week residency
Travel Alert: Eurostar security staff announce pre-Christmas strikes
Security staff on Eurostar are to strike for four days next month in a dispute over pay. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union employed by a private contractor will walk out on December 16, 18, 22 and 23 after voting 4-1 in favor of industrial action. The RMT said the strike will “severely affect” Eurostar services and travel plans for people over the … [Read more...] about Travel Alert: Eurostar security staff announce pre-Christmas strikes
London’s ULEZ charge Expanded to Cover All of London by Mayor
Hundreds of thousands more drivers face a daily fee of £12.50 for using London’s roads after mayor Sadiq Khan announced he will expand a pollution charge zone to boost air quality. Mr. Khan said extending the ultra-low emission zone to cover the whole of the capital from August 29 next year is “one of the toughest decisions I’ve taken.” The scheme, which operates at all … [Read more...] about London’s ULEZ charge Expanded to Cover All of London by Mayor
Waterloo reclaims title of Britain’s busiest railway station
London Waterloo has regained its status as Britain’s most frequently used railway station. The Office of Rail and Road said the station was used by an estimated 41.4 million passengers in the 12 months to the end of March. Today we reveal the stations with the most entries and exits in Great Britain. @LondonWaterloo reclaims the top spot with 41.4 million from April 2021 … [Read more...] about Waterloo reclaims title of Britain’s busiest railway station
National Portrait Gallery will get new wing as part of refurbishment
The National Portrait Gallery in London will get a new wing as part of its refurbishment when it reopens in 2023. The Blavatnik Wing will host more than one hundred years of British portraits in nine galleries as part of the gallery’s Inspiring People project. Paintings of naturalist Charles Darwin, and writers Oscar Wilde, Virginia Woolf, the Bronte sisters, and … [Read more...] about National Portrait Gallery will get new wing as part of refurbishment
Last chance to buy tickets for London’s NYE fireworks opens soon
The last chance to buy tickets for London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks display opens soon, as the capital is set to celebrate without restrictions for the first time since the pandemic. The final 50,000 tickets for the spectacular will go on sale at noon on December 2, after the first batch of the same number of places sold out in just over five hours. Covid-19 restrictions … [Read more...] about Last chance to buy tickets for London’s NYE fireworks opens soon
Wall uncovered during Westminster restoration may mark original course of Thames
The remains of a medieval stone wall likely to be at least seven centuries old may have been found under the Palace of Westminster, experts have said. The structure, thought to be the original medieval Thames River wall which was believed to run under the Houses of Parliament, was unearthed during work to help restore the building. Experts say it is likely to be at least … [Read more...] about Wall uncovered during Westminster restoration may mark original course of Thames
David Hockney to launch immersive experience at new London arts venue
David Hockney is set to launch an immersive experience which will give visitors the opportunity to engage with audio and visual elements to follow a journey through his art. The show, created by the 85-year-old Bradford-born artist, will launch early next year at Lightroom, a new four-story venue in King’s Cross, London. The show, David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (Not … [Read more...] about David Hockney to launch immersive experience at new London arts venue
In Pictures: Pomp and pageantry of Lord Mayor’s Show
Thousands of people have gathered in the City of London to watch the Lord Mayor’s Show, a parade dating back more than 800 years. Alderman Nicholas Lyons marked his election as the 694th Lord Mayor of London with the traditional first official engagement of his one-year term. The Lord Mayor’s Show dates to the 13th century and includes a procession from Mansion … [Read more...] about In Pictures: Pomp and pageantry of Lord Mayor’s Show
London Mayor hails Elizabeth line as direct routes and Sunday services begin
Sadiq Khan has hailed the “huge success” of the Elizabeth Line as Sunday services and more direct routes were opened. The Mayor of London joined transport leaders to ride the £19 billion railway from Stratford to Paddington on Sunday morning. The trip marked the opening of direct routes across the line as well as a seven-day service for the first time since the line … [Read more...] about London Mayor hails Elizabeth line as direct routes and Sunday services begin
Elizabeth line fully opens and offers more direct journeys
The £19 billion Elizabeth line railway will open seven days a week and offer more direct journeys from today. Services in the tunnels across London have previously been suspended almost every Sunday since the line opened on May 24 to allow more testing to take place. The line stretches from Reading in Berkshire and Heathrow Airport in west London to Abbey Wood in … [Read more...] about Elizabeth line fully opens and offers more direct journeys
Organiszation which records thoughts of British public receives blue plaque
The original headquarters of an organization which has recorded the thoughts and experiences of the British public since 1937 has been commemorated with a blue plaque. Mass Observation project was started with the aim of capturing the public’s real opinion as opposed to the perception of it as presented in newspapers. English Heritage has honored its birthplace, 6 Grotes … [Read more...] about Organiszation which records thoughts of British public receives blue plaque
London Alert: Oxford Street Christmas lights switched on – but for shorter time amid Britain’s energy crisis
London’s annual Christmas lights display has been switched on – but will illuminate Oxford Street for reduced hours this year amid the ongoing energy crisis. Energy consumption will be cut by two-thirds in comparison to last year, according to the New West End Company. The festive switch-on is a big event in the capital’s calendar as the run-up to the holiday season … [Read more...] about London Alert: Oxford Street Christmas lights switched on – but for shorter time amid Britain’s energy crisis
UK’s largest jellyfish to go on display at Sea Life London Aquarium
Visitors to the Sea Life London Aquarium can view a special display in time for World Jellyfish Day. In a UK first, experts at the aquarium have raised Barrel jellyfish, having bred the species from their juvenile stage as polyps in its specialist breeding laboratory. The mushroom-shaped creatures are the UK’s largest jellyfish, growing up to one metre wide in the … [Read more...] about UK’s largest jellyfish to go on display at Sea Life London Aquarium
Big Ben to be put back to GMT for first time after huge restoration
All four faces of Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament’s clock tower, will be put back to GMT this weekend for the first time in five years, as the country starts to head towards winter. The clock’s original Victorian mechanism was renovated as part of a huge restoration project, and the scaffolding surrounding the tower has gradually been brought down since December … [Read more...] about Big Ben to be put back to GMT for first time after huge restoration
Tube poet encourages writers to ‘bring who they are to the field’
A writer who was wowed when he saw his poem featured on London tube carriages has encouraged budding poets to “not try and fit in with everyone else” but to bring “who you are” to the field. For Black History Month, which falls in October in the UK, TfL has teamed up with Arts Council England and The British Council to highlight the work of Black poets through its popular … [Read more...] about Tube poet encourages writers to ‘bring who they are to the field’
In Pictures: London’s Borough Market Harvest Festival a feast for the eyes
Borough Market’s annual Autumn Harvest festival has returned to the streets of the capital for the first time since the Covid lockdown. The procession started on Bankside before moving through Southwark to the historic market. The procession was led by the Berry Man, the autumnal Green Man, who was decked with wild fruits and foliage. The event features the chance to … [Read more...] about In Pictures: London’s Borough Market Harvest Festival a feast for the eyes
First new-build West-End theatre in 50 years enjoys ‘glorious’ opening night
The owner of the first new-build West-End theatre in 50 years says the venue’s opening night was a “glorious and thrilling” evening, which brought her “enormous relief.” Nica Burns said the venue had been “embraced” by audiences, but still needed to “earn its place” in the world-famous theatre district. @sohoplace opened on Thursday night with a performance of Marvellous, … [Read more...] about First new-build West-End theatre in 50 years enjoys ‘glorious’ opening night
Heathrow regains status as Europe’s busiest airport
Heathrow has regained its status as Europe’s busiest airport. The west London airport said it was used by more passengers between July and September than rivals in cities such as Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Madrid. A year ago, Heathrow blamed the UK’s comparatively strict coronavirus travel rules for it being just the 10th busiest airport in Europe, after being number … [Read more...] about Heathrow regains status as Europe’s busiest airport
Transport for London adds electric bikes to hire scheme
Electric bikes have been added to Transport for London’s (TfL) cycle hire scheme. The capital’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, said it is a “momentous moment for cycling” in the capital. TfL has made 500 e-bikes available to hire from 800 Santander Cycles docking stations. They cost £3.30 per 30-minute ride – twice the price of standard bikes. Mr. Khan said: “I am delighted … [Read more...] about Transport for London adds electric bikes to hire scheme
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