A Buzz Lightyear and a bright red postbox featuring the King’s new cypher were among the fancy dress costumes donned by some of the thousands of people who took part in the London Marathon this year. Whether as a personal challenge or in aid of a chosen charity, people donned colorful, large, and occasionally furry costumes as they ran the 26.2-mile course. One group of … [Read more...] about Gorillas, fruit and Buzz Lightyear: London Marathon’s fancy dress raises smiles
London News
London’s National Gallery announces ‘pay what you wish’ scheme for special exhibitions amid cost-of-living crisis
Visitors to the National Gallery will be able to pay “as much or as little as they like” on Friday evenings for the run of a Lucian Freud exhibition as part of a new scheme responding to the cost-of-living crisis, the gallery has announced. The Pay What You Wish scheme, the first of its kind at the National Gallery, will be valid for the run of the Credit Suisse – Lucian … [Read more...] about London’s National Gallery announces ‘pay what you wish’ scheme for special exhibitions amid cost-of-living crisis
Transport for London boss American Andy Byford quits after funding deal secured
Transport for London (TfL) boss Andy Byford will leave the organization at the end of October. The organization said Mr. Byford – who became transport commissioner in June 2020 – will “resume life in the United States” and is “closing out a 33-year public service career”. TfL’s chief operating officer Andy Lord will take on the role of commissioner on an interim … [Read more...] about Transport for London boss American Andy Byford quits after funding deal secured
‘Huge operation’ to keep central London clean during public mourning for Queen
Scores of staff were deployed for a clean-up operation to return the streets of central London to normal just a few hours after the Queen’s funeral had ended. Westminster City Council and waste management partner Veolia said they had sent additional cleaning teams to the center of the city over recent days in a “huge operation” to ensure it was kept clean as crowds flocked to … [Read more...] about ‘Huge operation’ to keep central London clean during public mourning for Queen
London hotel prices soar ahead of the Queen’s funeral
People planning to visit London for the Queen’s funeral face soaring hotel bills. Hotel prices are up to four times higher on Sunday – the night before the funeral – compared with a week later, analysis by the PA news agency found. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to line the streets of the capital during the funeral at Westminster Abbey. Many visitors … [Read more...] about London hotel prices soar ahead of the Queen’s funeral
London to face ‘unprecedented travel demand’ as people pay respects to the Queen
London will experience “unprecedented travel demand” in the coming days as people visit the capital to pay their respects to the Queen, transport bosses warned. Public transport users are being advised that the city will be “exceptionally busy” and they should expect Tube stations to temporarily close to avoid overcrowding. Planning journeys in advance using the latest … [Read more...] about London to face ‘unprecedented travel demand’ as people pay respects to the Queen
London’s Guildhall art gallery to host book of condolence in tribute to the Queen
The Guildhall art gallery is set to open a book of condolence to allow the public to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II. The London venue will house the book in honor of the long-reigning monarch, who died at Balmoral castle on Thursday. It comes after King Charles III was formally declared the nation’s new monarch on Saturday morning during a meeting of the … [Read more...] about London’s Guildhall art gallery to host book of condolence in tribute to the Queen
Crowds enjoy ‘momentous’ scene as Charles proclaimed King outside London’s Royal Exchange
Onlookers have described the “amazing” and “momentous” scene as Charles was proclaimed King outside the Royal Exchange in London on Saturday. The second reading of the Accession Proclamation was met with applause and cheers of “God save the King”. Thousands of onlookers had gathered at noon on Saturday in the City of London to witness the proclamation. The crowd then … [Read more...] about Crowds enjoy ‘momentous’ scene as Charles proclaimed King outside London’s Royal Exchange
London’s black cab drivers pay respects to the Queen, a ‘London girl’
More than 50 black cabs lined The Mall in central London as cab drivers paid their respects to the Queen, a “London girl” who they considered one of their own. Taxi drivers began to line up in front of Buckingham Palace, in rows of as many as four wide, as soon as they heard the news of the Queen’s death on Thursday evening. Michael Ackerman, a cab driver for 26 years, … [Read more...] about London’s black cab drivers pay respects to the Queen, a ‘London girl’
Tunneling starts for new London river crossing Silvertown Tunnel
Tunneling has started for a new river crossing in east London. Transport for London (TfL) announced that a tunnel boring machine (TBM) has been launched at Royal Docks to excavate the 1.4km (0.9-mile) Silvertown Tunnel under the Thames. Once it has completed the first tunnel by reaching the Greenwich peninsula, it will be turned around and directed back to Royal Docks to … [Read more...] about Tunneling starts for new London river crossing Silvertown Tunnel
London Alert: Tube journeys to Heathrow via Zone 1 to be charged at peak rate from Sunday, September 4th
Tube passengers traveling to Heathrow via Zone 1 will be charged at peak rate from Sunday to help Transport for London (TfL) recover from the pandemic. Commuters taking the new Elizabeth line through the central zone to London’s busiest airport will be charged £12.80, up from £10.80, while those on the Piccadilly line will pay £5.50, up from £3.50. From Sunday, September … [Read more...] about London Alert: Tube journeys to Heathrow via Zone 1 to be charged at peak rate from Sunday, September 4th
Harry Potter fans mark moment train leaves for Hogwarts at King’s Cross
Harry Potter fans were treated to a magical display at King’s Cross Station on Thursday to mark the moment Hogwarts students board the train to school. The departure board lit up and announcements were made ahead of the 11am fictional departure from platform nine and three quarters, before a countdown led by Made In Chelsea’s Sam Thompson and Capital FM presenter Vick … [Read more...] about Harry Potter fans mark moment train leaves for Hogwarts at King’s Cross
New sponsor for London’s cable car found – now the IFS Cloud Cable Car
Cash-strapped Transport for London (TfL) has finally found a new sponsor for its cable car, but will receive a fraction of what it earned under the previous deal. A contract seen by the PA news agency shows technology company IFS will pay just £420,000 per year for the naming rights of the east London link between The O2 in Greenwich Peninsular and Royal Victoria … [Read more...] about New sponsor for London’s cable car found – now the IFS Cloud Cable Car
In Pictures: ‘Electric’ atmosphere as Notting Hill Carnival draws the crowds
Revellers have descended on the streets of Notting Hill to mark the first carnival since 2019. The day kicked off with members of the Emancipated Run Crew – dressed in green in tribute to those who died at Grenfell – beginning the parade and marking the official launch of Notting Hill Carnival. Co-founder of the club Jules Stephenson said: “It (the atmosphere) is … [Read more...] about In Pictures: ‘Electric’ atmosphere as Notting Hill Carnival draws the crowds
London Theatre Week returns with fan-favourite West End shows
The Lion King, Frozen, Pretty Woman, and The Book Of Mormon are part of the annual two-week campaign offering low prices for the biggest West End shows. Almost 60 critically-acclaimed theatre shows have signed up to London Theatre tickets Week, which aims to empower audiences to enjoy the West End and continue to support live theatre. Returning to the campaign this year … [Read more...] about London Theatre Week returns with fan-favourite West End shows
Iron Throne erected outside Tower of London to mark House Of The Dragon launch
A replica of the Iron Throne from the upcoming Game Of Thrones prequel series, House Of The Dragon, has been erected outside the Tower of London ahead of the show’s launch. The seat of the Lord of the Seven Kingdoms will be displayed at the landmark on Monday and Tuesday before the premiere next week in Leicester Square. It will then tour the country throughout August, … [Read more...] about Iron Throne erected outside Tower of London to mark House Of The Dragon launch
First new West End theatre in 50 years to open
A “state-of-the-art” theatre will be the first to open in London’s West End in 50 years. Soho Place will offer unrestricted views in its 600-seat curved auditorium featuring “perfect acoustics” when it opens this autumn. The “glamorous” theatre, which sits in the heart of a £300 million regeneration project, has been more than a decade in the making, theatre owner Nica … [Read more...] about First new West End theatre in 50 years to open
Dementia charity to make giant scarf to wrap around Royal Albert Hall
Knitters have put their needles to the test in a bid to create a giant scarf to cover the Royal Albert Hall for a dementia charity, with one claiming to have a “magic ball of wool.” The Lewy Body Society intends to wrap a 244-meter scarf around the concert hall on September 22, to support those living with Lewy body dementia – a condition that affects movement, thinking … [Read more...] about Dementia charity to make giant scarf to wrap around Royal Albert Hall
Ceremonial guards withdrawn from positions in the midday sun as London baked at over 40C (104F)
Heavily-dressed ceremonial guards were withdrawn from their positions for a number of hours in the sweltering heat as temperatures topped 40C. Soldiers, who wear a uniform including bearskin hats, were allowed to shelter from the sun in the hottest period on Tuesday. The Ministry of Defence said the guards stationed at the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, St James’s … [Read more...] about Ceremonial guards withdrawn from positions in the midday sun as London baked at over 40C (104F)
Living chess set featuring 32 actors turns heads at London’s ChessFest
A group of 32 professional actors turned heads in Trafalgar Square by featuring in a living chess set. Sunday’s performance in London was part of ChessFest, which claims to be the UK’s largest one-day chess event. Organisers said the living chess pieces would perform a re-enactment of Bobby Fischer’s game three victory against Boris Spassky at the 1972 World Chess … [Read more...] about Living chess set featuring 32 actors turns heads at London’s ChessFest
London’s Horniman Museum Announced a Museum of the Year
A London museum focused on inspiring the next generation has won the largest museum prize in the world. The Horniman Museum and Gardens (yes, that's really its name) was crowned the Art Fund’s Museum Of The Year after it reimagined its role as the creative hub of the community during the pandemic – having had time to reflect on the climate emergency and Black Lives Matter … [Read more...] about London’s Horniman Museum Announced a Museum of the Year
Trafalgar Square’s Admiralty Pub goes up in flames
More than 100 firefighters are tackling a “challenging” blaze at a pub in Trafalgar Square in central London. The fire broke out at The Admiralty pub shortly before 5.50 pm on Tuesday, and huge plumes of smoke could be seen billowing from the building. Some ten fire engines and 70 firefighters were originally called to the scene, but this was later increased to 20 fire … [Read more...] about Trafalgar Square’s Admiralty Pub goes up in flames
Match Girls’ Strike of 1888 commemorated with blue plaque in east London
The Match Girls’ Strike of 1888 has been commemorated with a blue plaque at the site of the former Bryant and May match factory in east London. In early July 1888 around 1,400 of the Bryant and May match factory’s predominately female workforce walked out in protest at the dismissal of a number of their co-workers. We actually have a great article about this whole story … [Read more...] about Match Girls’ Strike of 1888 commemorated with blue plaque in east London
New giant waterlily and ‘botanical wonder of the world’ discovered in Kew
A giant waterlily held in Kew’s Botanic Gardens for 177 years has been revealed as a species new to science and “one of the botanical wonders of the world”. The famous giant waterlily, genus Victoria, was named after Queen Victoria in 1852, and was believed to include two different species. But scientists have confirmed the massive plant in Kew is a third type. It is the … [Read more...] about New giant waterlily and ‘botanical wonder of the world’ discovered in Kew
Wacky racers descend on Alexandra Palace for soapbox challenge
Amateur racers from around the world have donned wacky costumes to take part in Red Bull’s Soapbox Race. Thousands of spectators descended on Alexandra Palace in London on Sunday to witness the event on its return to UK since 2019. The 67 teams of amateur drivers and crews were tasked with creating homemade non-motorised soapboxes to race on the steep downhill … [Read more...] about Wacky racers descend on Alexandra Palace for soapbox challenge
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