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Ten Interesting Facts and Figures about the Shard – The Tallest Building in the UK

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Threading the skies over London like a great glass needle, the Shard is one of the city’s newest and most striking skyscrapers.  Completed in 2013, it has 95 floors and stands at 1,106 feet, making it also the tallest structure in the city and the whole of the United Kingdom.  In the short time that it has been a part of London, the Shard has made more of an impression than … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts and Figures about the Shard – The Tallest Building in the UK

London Icon: A History of Harry Beck’s Iconic Tube Map

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KEY FACTS Designed by Harry Beck in 1932 Set a style for transport maps around the world As instantly recognisable as the Union Jack Beck received little credit for his work during his lifetime London’s history is filled with historical figures who were just doing a job or once had an idea that turned into something bigger than they ever intended. Henry C … [Read more...] about London Icon: A History of Harry Beck’s Iconic Tube Map

The Great London Taxi App Review Round-up – We Test All The Apps and Give Our Verdict

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Mobile apps have changed the way many of us travel in London. They’ve enriched trips and made them better. One way they’ve made them better is getting a ride when you need one. Apps like Uber and Lyft have changed the game in many major cities for taxis. The problem is that in London, there was an already entrenched and well respected Taxi trade that resisted these changes. The … [Read more...] about The Great London Taxi App Review Round-up – We Test All The Apps and Give Our Verdict

Advert Lights in Piccadilly Circus Shut Off Until Autumn – First Time in Many Years

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If you pass through Piccadilly Circus after today, you will be presented with an unusual sight. The adverts that have adorned a building in the circus have been switched off. No, it's not a sudden change of heart that advertising is terrible. It's part of a major renovation of the sign. From the BBC: The billboard, which has displayed electrical advertisements for … [Read more...] about Advert Lights in Piccadilly Circus Shut Off Until Autumn – First Time in Many Years

Londonism: Clapham Common Tube Station Overtaken by Cats

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Now, this is a lovely news story. Clapham Common Tube Station in London has been overtaken by cats. Citizens Advertising Takeover Service (CATS) ran a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter to raise funds to remove all the ads in a Tube Station and replace them with pictures of cats. They were a success and now the cats are now 'live' in the station on all the advertising … [Read more...] about Londonism: Clapham Common Tube Station Overtaken by Cats

Ten Interesting Facts and Figures About the Greater London Authority

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At one point prior to Thatcher, the 32 London boroughs and the City of London were joined in their government functions first as the County of London from 1889 to 1965, then the Greater London Council from 1965 until 1986.  During Margaret Thatcher’s government, it was decided to bring London’s government under Parliamentary control and its various functions carried out by … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts and Figures About the Greater London Authority

Great London Buildings – 10 Downing Street – The London Home of the Prime Minister

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Long as it has been amongst the symbols of governmental power in the United Kingdom, "Number 10" as it is known, is also one of the most iconic residences for a world leader.  The history of the building itself is just as fascinating as those Prime Ministers who resided within and the historical actions of their governments.  Everything from its origins to its design and … [Read more...] about Great London Buildings – 10 Downing Street – The London Home of the Prime Minister

Elizabeth Tower (aka Big Ben) Comes to Lego

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I'm a huge fan of LEGO - I received the Lego Tower Bridge as a gift a few years ago and loved putting it together. Now we Londonphiles have a new set to put together - a new model of Elizabeth Tower (aka Big Ben) along with part of the Palace of Westminster. Here are the details Get up close to Big Ben! The clock was first started on May 31st 1859, and Big Ben’s first chime … [Read more...] about Elizabeth Tower (aka Big Ben) Comes to Lego

Royal London: A Look at Five Royal Residences in London

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For centuries, London has been the home of ruling powers.  From the native chiefs to the Romans and finally the long list of Britain’s monarchs, the city has not only been a seat of power, but it has been a home as well.  Many palaces and former Royal residences can be found in London, though many of them currently remain unused except as museums to their former owners.  … [Read more...] about Royal London: A Look at Five Royal Residences in London

Anglotopia Magazine: What’s in a Name? The Various Names of London Throughout History

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Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the first issue of the Anglotopia magazine. Subscribe today to receive the next issue of our magazine and read about British History, Culture and Travel all in one place. Pre-order the next issue now before it sells out! Over the next few weeks we will be sharing many of the great features that premiered in the magazine … [Read more...] about Anglotopia Magazine: What’s in a Name? The Various Names of London Throughout History

Great London Buildings – A Brief History of Buckingham Palace – The Queen’s Official London Home

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Perhaps the greatest residence in the city, Buckingham Palace has been the home of royalty for centuries and has been the official residence of Queen Elizabeth II since she ascended the throne in 1952, though she had lived there since her father, King George VI, became monarch in 1936.  The site where Buckingham House is located was once in the possession of William the … [Read more...] about Great London Buildings – A Brief History of Buckingham Palace – The Queen’s Official London Home

Weird London: Ten of the Strangest Landmarks in London

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Every city has some pretty unique places to visit, but some are a little weirder than most.  These sites aren’t sought out by the casual tourist, but by those with an interest in the unusual.  You might find them in plain sight or have to go looking, but in London, you can certainly locate quite a few.  While some of the city’s strangest landmarks have lost their original … [Read more...] about Weird London: Ten of the Strangest Landmarks in London

London on Film: Five of the Top Filming Locations in London Used in Movies

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As much as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, or Prague, London is one of the most popular places in the world to film a motion picture.  Of course, it certainly has plenty of iconic locations that can be used for anything from simple establishing shots to major plot settings.  With all of these locations, it makes sense that you see many of the same places over and over.  While … [Read more...] about London on Film: Five of the Top Filming Locations in London Used in Movies

10 Modern Londoners Every Londonphile Should Know

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London is certainly the most important city in the United Kingdom. It is the seat of power for the nation, the cultural center, and the busiest place in Britain. Naturally, an important city comes with important people. They influence the government, the media, and our imaginations. Diving into the city of London, let’s have a look at ten of these individuals that every … [Read more...] about 10 Modern Londoners Every Londonphile Should Know

Argotopolis, The New Map Of London Slang 

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I came across this really cool London slang map on Spitalfields Life (a blog you should all be reading!). I'll let them explain it: Argotopolis, The Map Of London Slang. It is my great pleasure to unveil this bravura collaboration between Adam Dant, Cartographer Extraordinaire & Jonathon Green, Lexicographer of Slang – ARGOTOPOLIS is a map of London slang organised … [Read more...] about Argotopolis, The New Map Of London Slang 

The Fiver – Five of London’s Strangest Buildings

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In a city of so many buildings, there are plenty of examples of stellar structures in London. From the most well-known landmarks to office towers and flats, the city has many places to admire. What’s more, with London’s history dating back to the Romans, the Greater London area provides prime examples of buildings from many different eras. Of course, not every building can be a … [Read more...] about The Fiver – Five of London’s Strangest Buildings

The London Fiver – Five Places to Lose Yourself on Your Next Visit to London

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J.R.R. Tolkien once wrote that “Not all who wander are lost”. Sometimes, to really enjoy a place you’re visiting, you have to get yourself lost in it and really see every inch of what it has to offer. London certainly offers its share of large places with plenty to explore including parks, museums, and shopping centres. Whether you’re traveling to London for the first time, … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Places to Lose Yourself on Your Next Visit to London

The Shard – The New Iconic Building Defining the London Skyline

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Piercing the London skyline is a building unique to the world. Like its name, it resembled a shard of glass, albeit one reaching over 1,000 feet with 87 floors. The building has a little for everyone, featuring shops, restaurants, offices, a hotel, and flats. On completion in 2012, it became an instant London icon, appearing in everything from The Simpsons to Doctor Who. So … [Read more...] about The Shard – The New Iconic Building Defining the London Skyline

Video: Moving Short Film Tells the True Story of the Tube Announcer and His Widow

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https://vimeo.com/103459634 This short film is a dramatization of a true story. Many of may be familiar with the iconic 'Mind the Gap' announcements on the Tube. They were recorded many years ago by a stage actor named Oswald Lawrence. After he died, his widow would travel the Tube to continue to hear his voice. This changed a little while ago when the recording were … [Read more...] about Video: Moving Short Film Tells the True Story of the Tube Announcer and His Widow

Notting Hill: 10 Interesting Facts and Figures About Portobello Road

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In Kensington, the Portobello Road runs almost the entire length of the borough. Before it got its more famous name, it was known as Green’s Lane in the 18th Century. It was renamed after Portobello Farm in the Victoria era, and after residential developments were established in Paddington and Notting Hill, the farmland gave way to the expanding city. So what interesting facts … [Read more...] about Notting Hill: 10 Interesting Facts and Figures About Portobello Road

Play Pac-Man on the Street of London with Google Maps

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It's April 1st and while we never participate in April Fool's jokes, Google has a pretty brilliant one. They've made it so you can play the arcade classic Pac-Man on a map of the streets of London. Pretty sweet. There goes any productivity today! Do it here now. … [Read more...] about Play Pac-Man on the Street of London with Google Maps

The London Fiver – Five of the Most Romantic Spots in London – Perfect for Valentine’s Day

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Paris is thought of as the city of romance, but London is certainly not without its romantic locales. As Valentine’s Day is nearly upon us, we think of those places where love is in bloom. While most people may not think of London as a romantic place, it certainly has a lot to offer for any partners who want to fall in love or fall in love again. If you live in London already, … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five of the Most Romantic Spots in London – Perfect for Valentine’s Day

The London Fiver – Five of the Strangest London Landmarks

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In a society as straight-laced as British society can sometimes be, you tend to find tiny acts of rebellion in the form of creative and unusual expressions. Plenty of cities are full the eclectic, the strange, and the weird. London is no exception and you find plenty of odd things to visit within the city. Statues, art pieces, museums, and even homes can offer up some of the … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five of the Strangest London Landmarks

Video: This Amazing Video Shows What London Looks Like With No People In It

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It is often said that Christmas Day is the emptiest day in London. The streets are empty of people as they celebrate the holiday indoors. The entire city shuts down. It looks a lot like this video from Miasmatic where they've created a rather creepy video of all the iconic sites in London, except without people in them. Check it out: http://vimeo.com/111982801 … [Read more...] about Video: This Amazing Video Shows What London Looks Like With No People In It

A Royal City – A Brief History of the Monarchy in London

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Formed in part by the Romans when they invaded Britain in 43 A.D., London has always been a city that represented power and authority. It ceased being the capital when the Romans abandoned the city in 425 and remained that way until the Anglo-Saxon chronicle states that it was “refounded” by Alfred the Great in 886. Alfred was the first person to assume the title of “King of … [Read more...] about A Royal City – A Brief History of the Monarchy in London