West London’s Hammersmith Bridge is to partially reopen on Saturday after passing safety checks. Hammersmith and Fulham Council said pedestrians and cyclists will be permitted to use the 134-year-old cast-iron structure. Vessels on the River Thames will also be allowed to pass beneath it. Cracks in the pedestals have led to motor vehicles being prohibited … [Read more...] about Hammersmith Bridge to reopen for pedestrians and cyclists only
London News
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
Buckingham Palace all ready for public picnickers ahead of garden opening
The Buckingham Palace garden is opening to the public for picnics and self-guided tours for the first time on Friday (we sent Laura Porter to the press preview, and she'll have a more thorough review tomorrow!). Such has been the demand for tickets that additional places have been made available on dates throughout July to September. Tourists will be able to picnic on the … [Read more...] about Buckingham Palace all ready for public picnickers ahead of garden opening
Temporary Man-made mountain art installation at Marble Arch to offer sweeping views of London
Tickets for a 25-meter man-made mountain in the middle of one of London’s busiest tourist areas have gone on sale. The Marble Arch Mound, created by Westminster City Council, will open up to members of the public from July 26 until January 2022. Visitors will be able to see sweeping views of the capital’s Oxford Street, Hyde Park, Mayfair, and Marylebone as part of a … [Read more...] about Temporary Man-made mountain art installation at Marble Arch to offer sweeping views of London
Oxford Circus finally to be partially pedestrianized starting this summer
The area around London’s famous Oxford Circus is to be transformed into two pedestrianized “piazzas” after years of deliberation. Work due to start later this year will include “significant improvements to the public spaces” as well as additional planting and seating in the shopping and leisure district, Westminster City Council and the Crown Estate announced on … [Read more...] about Oxford Circus finally to be partially pedestrianized starting this summer
London Hard Rock Cafe marks 50th anniversary by turning back clock to 1971
Diners were served a classic menu of burgers, ribs, and cola floats at 1971 prices as London’s Hard Rock Cafe marked its 50th birthday. Some of the original waitresses returned for the special occasion while blue-checked tablecloths and a jukebox restored the restaurant’s original look. The special menu boasted a burger for 50p, roadhouse ribs for 80p, and a hot fudge … [Read more...] about London Hard Rock Cafe marks 50th anniversary by turning back clock to 1971
Ugh the scourge of e-scooters are being tested in London
Rental electric scooters in London are “as safe as possible”, according to one of the firms involved in a trial which launches today in London. Previously, e-scooters were simply not allowed on Britain's roads, which was nice. No tripping over randomly left scooters everywhere that has become common in America's cities. The contraptions are “very stable” and have “the best … [Read more...] about Ugh the scourge of e-scooters are being tested in London
The Tube: Waterloo & City line reopens in London for first time since March 2020
The Waterloo & City line will reopen today for the first time since the start of the pandemic, Transport for London (TfL) has announced. The important London commuter link, which connects Waterloo and Bank stations in the center of the capital, closed in March 2020. Services will now run every five minutes Monday to Friday from 6 am to 10 am and 3.30 pm to 7 … [Read more...] about The Tube: Waterloo & City line reopens in London for first time since March 2020
Royal Mint Coin display honoring Queen lights up Tower of London
The Royal Mint has marked the coming official celebration of the Queen’s 95th birthday and her coronation anniversary with projections on the walls of the Tower of London of coins from her reign. The 90-foot display featured coins bearing the five effigies of the Queen used since she ascended the throne, and the new commemorative £5 coin minted to reflect her becoming the … [Read more...] about Royal Mint Coin display honoring Queen lights up Tower of London
Tower of London reopens after lockdown – and public chooses name for new raven
The Tower of London has reopened after lockdown, and a baby raven at the Tower of London has been named Branwen following a public vote. The winning name was announced as part of the tower’s reopening after its longest closure since the Second World War. “The results are in! Our new baby raven’s name is … BRANWEN,” @TowerOfLondon tweeted on Wednesday. The results … [Read more...] about Tower of London reopens after lockdown – and public chooses name for new raven
Historic London retailer Arthur Beale to close store after 150 years
One of London’s oldest shops is to shut its doors for a final time after it said it was unable to pay its rent following the impact of the pandemic. Sailing outfitter Arthur Beale on Shaftesbury Avenue in the West End is to close after 150 years in the location. It was inevitable that some classic London places would not survive the economic damage of the pandemic. The … [Read more...] about Historic London retailer Arthur Beale to close store after 150 years
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
New video artwork by acclaimed artist David Hockney displayed in central London
A new video artwork by David Hockney has premiered in central London. The artist’s work, titled Remember You Cannot Look At The Sun Or Death For Very Long, appeared on the Piccadilly Lights screen in Piccadilly Circus. It is also being shown on screens in New York, Los Angeles, Seoul, and Tokyo. (Ian West/PA) The video shows an animated sunrise and was created … [Read more...] about New video artwork by acclaimed artist David Hockney displayed in central London
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
The Tower of London Wants Your Help In Naming Their New Raven
The Tower of London is celebrating the end of its longest closure since the Second World War by asking the public to name its latest arrival: a raven chick. Born in March, the young corvid will be named either Florence, Matilda, Branwen, Bronte, or Winifred, decided by a public vote running between May 4 and May 18. The legend of the ravens says that if the birds leave … [Read more...] about The Tower of London Wants Your Help In Naming Their New Raven
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