The latest exhibition at the Royal Academy is Souls Grown Deep like the Rivers: Black Artists from the American South. Open from 17 March 2023, it showcases unique African American artistic traditions and methods of visual storytelling. The exhibition presents the work of Black artists born between 1887 and 1965 who spent their careers in the American South. While many left … [Read more...] about Souls Grown Deep like the Rivers: Black Artists from the American South at The Royal Academy
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The Ugly Duchess: Beauty and Satire in the Renaissance at the National Gallery
The Ugly Duchess: Beauty and Satire in the Renaissance is a free exhibition at the National Gallery. Open from 16 March to 11 June 2023, it sheds new light on Quinten Massys's An Old Woman (about 1513). Quinten Massys Also known as Metsys, Quinten Massys (1465/6–1530) was born in the university town of Leuven in Belgium. He was documented by 1491 as a master craftsman … [Read more...] about The Ugly Duchess: Beauty and Satire in the Renaissance at the National Gallery
Ten of the Best Fish & Chips Restaurants in London
Fish and chips is one of those iconic British foods. A good, fried piece of cod and what we Americans would call French fries is all you really need for a good meal. Naturally, there are chippies all over the UK and there are arguably as many in London as there are pubs, so figuring out which chippies to visit can be a challenge. Fortunately, we at Londontopia have helped to … [Read more...] about Ten of the Best Fish & Chips Restaurants in London
Exhibition Report: Donatello – Sculpting the Renaissance at the V&A
Opening on Saturday, 11 February 2023, The V&A museum has the first major UK exhibition to explore the work of the Renaissance master Donatello. The exhibition aims to provide a fresh vision of the artist and his impact on both the cultural and artistic development of this crucial time in the history of art. Donatello Arguably the greatest sculptor of all time, … [Read more...] about Exhibition Report: Donatello – Sculpting the Renaissance at the V&A
Ten National Trust Properties in London
The National Trust is the caretaker for many castles, manor homes, gardens, and parks throughout the United Kingdom. Of course, just because the Trust manages a lot of locations in the country doesn’t mean it doesn’t have places to visit in Britain’s cities and especially in London. London is home to over a dozen National Trust properties from the ancient to the modern, and … [Read more...] about Ten National Trust Properties in London
What’s On in London Events for February 2023
Here's our round-up of new exhibitions, shows, and other events taking place in London for February 2023. There's a lot to see and do this month! There are also quite a few events from last month still going on; you can see our list of those events here. Dirty Dancing 2 February – 16 April 2023 Dominion Theatre Nearest Station: Tottenham Court Road Exploding with … [Read more...] about What’s On in London Events for February 2023
Exploring The Cosmic House in London
The Cosmic House is the first Post-Modern house in the UK to be given Grade I listed status (meaning it must be preserved). Once the private residence of the late Maggie and Charles Jencks, the eccentric home opened to the public in September 2021 as a "cultural laboratory" and museum. From the outside, it doesn't necessarily stand out from all of the other large brick and … [Read more...] about Exploring The Cosmic House in London
New Royal Academy Exhibition: Treasures from Spain and the Hispanic World
Presented in the Main Galleries at the Royal Academy in London from 21 January 2023, Spain and the Hispanic World celebrates the unrivaled collection of the Hispanic Society Museum & Library in New York. This landmark exhibition presents a visual narrative of the history of Spanish culture. It brings together outstanding works from Spain and colonial Latin America, from … [Read more...] about New Royal Academy Exhibition: Treasures from Spain and the Hispanic World
Win A Copy of London Black Cab Drivers’ Memoir
Last month we posted an excerpt from David Styles' memory of the London Black Taxi trade, Everyone is Entitled to My Opinion: A Journey Around a Cabbie's Capital. You can read it here. This month we've got TWO copies to giveaway to two lucky Londontopia readers! To enter, simply fill in the form below and agree to sign-up for email updates from Londontopia (we put out a … [Read more...] about Win A Copy of London Black Cab Drivers’ Memoir
Ten Cheap Things You Can Do in London on a Budget
London is a wonderful city to spend a lot of time in, but if you’re not careful, you can also end up spending a lot of money. Any capital city can be an expensive place to visit, but it also has some inexpensive attractions and activities as well. From low-cost movies to being your own tour guide, there are plenty of cheap options throughout the city that you can use to … [Read more...] about Ten Cheap Things You Can Do in London on a Budget
Ten More Great Cockney Phrases and their Meanings
Cockney rhyming slang is a major part of East London culture and a language that adds to the character of the East End. We recently covered ten great Cockney phrases we thought you should know but of course, with any subculture language, those ten are not the end of these great rhymes. We have found another ten Cockney rhyming slang words and phrases that we thought you … [Read more...] about Ten More Great Cockney Phrases and their Meanings
What On in London Events for January 2023
It's all change for London's museum scene as names change, locations close, and new exhibitions start. Here's your guide to what's going on in London in January 2023. The Museum of London Docklands celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2023 with a name change to The London Docklands Museum. Housed in a Grade I listed converted Georgian sugar warehouse, it tells the story of … [Read more...] about What On in London Events for January 2023
Ten London Exhibitions to Look Forward to in 2023
When you visit London’s museums, of which there are more than a few, you may be at a loss for what to see. Sure, there are plenty of paintings, artifacts, sculptures, and whatnot that are on display throughout the year, but what if you want to see something different? Fortunately, every London museum, from the British Museum to the Museum of London Docklands, has special … [Read more...] about Ten London Exhibitions to Look Forward to in 2023
Guest Post: From a London Cabbie – The lost property conundrum
Editor's Note: The following is an excerpt from a new memoir written by London Cabbie David Styles, where he chronicles interesting stories as he worked London's streets. He has kindly provided Londontopia an excerpt. The book is available on Amazon and most other bookstores. The lost property conundrum: Although today mobiles seem to be the most common property left in … [Read more...] about Guest Post: From a London Cabbie – The lost property conundrum
Ten London Travel Hacks
Traveling anywhere can present some inherent logistical (and financial) challenges. Wherever you go, knowing some of the tricks can help you get around, save on your stay, and find extremely fun things to do. In common parlance, these tricks and shortcuts in life are also known as “hacks” and can be very helpful for everyday life. London certainly has no shortage of hacks … [Read more...] about Ten London Travel Hacks
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
Exploring Leighton House Museum – London’s Palace of Art
Leighton House Museum is the former home and studio of the leading Victorian artist, Frederic, Lord Leighton (1830–1896). When you arrive the formal red brick exterior leaves you unprepared for the 'Palace of Art' inside. About Leighton House Designed by his friend, the architect George Aitchison RA (1825–1910), this is the only purpose-built studio-house open to the … [Read more...] about Exploring Leighton House Museum – London’s Palace of Art
Exploring The Red House – William Morris’s Iconic Arts and Crafts Home in London
Red House is a significant Arts and Craft house in southeast London that was designed for William Morris. A lavishly decorated and thoughtfully designed villa, it is now a National Trust visitor attraction. Red House lay along the ancient pilgrims' route to Canterbury and Morris cast himself in the role of genial Chaucerian host. He encouraged a stream of artistic … [Read more...] about Exploring The Red House – William Morris’s Iconic Arts and Crafts Home in London
Ten Places to Visit in London if You Love Harry Potter
London holds many magical qualities. Whether you’re visiting for the glow of the city lights or the charm of age-old buildings, you’ll find enchantment on London’s streets. Of course, if you’re looking for a different kind of magic, you can find that too. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter certainly holds its spell over the city. From filming locations to art galleries, … [Read more...] about Ten Places to Visit in London if You Love Harry Potter
Open House London – Exploring The Fog House in Clerkenwell – A Very Private Home
Each September, Open House London offers opportunities to visit buildings that are often not available to the general public. The Fog House was an excellent example of what makes Open House so wonderful. It is someone's home, so we would never get inside without the generosity of the owner and the Open House team's negotiations. This converted and extended small industrial … [Read more...] about Open House London – Exploring The Fog House in Clerkenwell – A Very Private Home
Open House London: Exploring 75 Grosvenor Street and its amazing roof gardens
Open House London is an annual architecture festival that allows us to go inside buildings that are often unavailable to the public. I like to visit a variety of places which is how I discovered this Mayfair office. You could walk past and think it's just another row of Georgian townhouses but going inside, I saw the incredible work of the developers transforming three … [Read more...] about Open House London: Exploring 75 Grosvenor Street and its amazing roof gardens
Exploring Euston Fire Station during Open House London
Open House London gives an annual opportunity to visit buildings that are not usually open to the public. I've often walked past Euston Fire Station and wondered what it was like inside, so I booked a tour. Euston Fire Station is a Grade II listed late Victorian red brick building. It's in the Arts and Crafts architectural style, dressed with Portland stone. It is close to … [Read more...] about Exploring Euston Fire Station during Open House London
New Exhibition at British Museum Report – Hieroglyphs: Unlocking Ancient Egypt
The British Museum has a major exhibition on hieroglyphs open from 13 October 2022. Two hundred years after the language was deciphered, Hieroglyphs: unlocking ancient Egypt marks this important moment in our understanding of ancient history. It explores the inscriptions and objects that helped scholars unlock one of the world's oldest civilizations. Egypt was a superpower … [Read more...] about New Exhibition at British Museum Report – Hieroglyphs: Unlocking Ancient Egypt
Science Fiction: Voyage to the Edge of Imagination – Latest Blockbuster Exhibition at the Science Museum
This is the most ambitious exhibition the Science Museum has ever staged. Science Fiction: Voyage to the Edge of Imagination places visitors at the heart of a genre-defying interactive science fiction story. Through over 70 objects, visitors uncover fascinating connections between significant scientific innovations and celebrated science fiction works, brought together in … [Read more...] about Science Fiction: Voyage to the Edge of Imagination – Latest Blockbuster Exhibition at the Science Museum
Charles Dickens Museum – To Be Read At Dusk: Dickens, Ghosts & the Supernatural
It must be getting close to Halloween as a new exhibition at the Charles Dickens Museum explores the ghosts in the mind of Dickens. To Be Read At Dusk: Dickens, Ghosts & the Supernatural is open from 5 October 2022 until 5 March 2023. Dickens wrote, read, performed, and edited ghost stories for over 30 years, and the exhibition covers from boyhood horror comics to his … [Read more...] about Charles Dickens Museum – To Be Read At Dusk: Dickens, Ghosts & the Supernatural
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!