People have been exchanging money for goods for centuries, and London has seen some kind of commerce since the Romans first built the city as we know it. Most companies that we know of today, however, are fairly recent inventions in the grand scheme of things. It wouldn’t be until the 17th or 18th Centuries […]
Exhibition Alert: My Visit to the New James Cook Exhibition at the British Library – Review
On my final day in England for my trip over to cover the Royal Wedding, I decided to pop into London and visit an exhibition I really didn’t want to miss. The British Library just launched a new exhibition about the voyages of James Cook, putting them into context and showcasing the discoveries he and […]
London’s Soho: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Soho
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the Anglotopia Print Magazine in Summer 2017. Support great long-form writing about British travel, culture, and history by subscribing to the Anglotopia Print Magazine. We had the opportunity to stay in London’s Soho neighborhood on our most recent trip. It was the first time we’ve really stayed in […]
The London Fiver – Five Major Scientific Discoveries Made in London
Progress in science is one way by which we may judge a society, and London is a city that certainly has made a lot of progress over the centuries. Some of the greatest discoveries in biology, physics, chemistry, and medicine have been made on the streets and in the laboratories of London. Some of them […]
Laura’s London: Exploring Clapham South Subterranean Shelter – Hidden London – From the Blitz to the Windrush
We all know there are tube train tunnels under London’s streets, and we could guess there are some service tunnels for pipes, but it’s still always a surprise to head down underground and find enough space for a village to live safely below. And that’s what there is at the Clapham South Subterranean Shelter. This […]
The London Fiver – Five of the Best Bakeries for Cookies in London
Cookies in the United Kingdom are not so different from those in the United States. Most Americans might think that all cookies are “biscuits” in Britain, but these two baked goods have very different meanings. While a “biscuit” is harder and crunchier, while a cookie is meant to be soft and chewie. Cookies can be […]
London Theatre Reviews: The Moderate Soprano Starring Nancy Carroll and Roger Allam – Review
I’m a big fan of the British actor Roger Allam so when a press release came across my inbox earlier this year announcing that he was performing in a play on the West End this spring, my interest was immediately piqued. Especially since I was currently in the middle of binge-watching Endeavour. The play in […]
The Tube: A History of the London Underground
The world’s first underground railway, the London Underground was constructed as a response to the city’s rapid growth during the 19th Century. Today, it is the 11th-busiest subway system on the planet with 1.379 billion passengers using it from 2016-2017. Its tunnels stretch for 249 miles throughout London, often overlapping and giving passengers plenty of […]
Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in the Earl’s Court Area
Like many parts of Greater London, Earl’s Court was once farmland before the growth of the city enveloped the district thanks to the expansion of the Metropolitan District Railway. Post World War II saw a large influx of immigrants from Poland, Australia, and New Zealand to the district and is still referred to as “Kangaroo […]
Fit for a Queen: A Traveler’s Guide to Royal London
London has been a seat of power since the Romans made it their capital in 50 A.D. After they abandoned the settlement in the 5th Century, it would not become a seat of leadership again until Alfred the Great retook control in 886, rebuilding the fortifications, adding new defenses, and transforming the old Roman city […]
Summer in the City: Top Ten Things to Do in London This Summer
When the sun is out the fun is out in London. The city has a lot going on normally, but things really kick up a notch once summer temperatures rise. The summer months tend to be the time when you’ll see the most festivals and outdoor events going on in London including a number of […]
Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Clerkenwell
Clerkenwell is one of the oldest parishes in London, having existed since the Middle Ages. It was here that London’s parish clerks would perform biblical morality plays in a performance venue called a “well.” This gave the area the name “Clerken (or Clerks) Well.” It has had a varied history from being home to monastic […]
Laura’s London: A Look Behind the Scenes of the New Royal Academy of Arts Renovations Opening This Weekend
The Royal Academy of Arts is hardly new. In fact, it’s celebrating it’s 250th anniversary this year. But to mark the occasion the RA has undergone an enormous transformation and expansion. And the new Royal Academy is opening on Saturday 19 May 2018. About The Royal Academy The RA was founded in 1768 by a […]
Londontopia Magazine: LAST CALL For The First Issue – Quantities are VERY Limited!
We’re wrapping up the final designs of Issue #1 of the Londontopia Magazine and it’s looking really good. However, we need a final tally on what to order from the printer. Printing is our most expensive cost in this endeavor so to get the best price, we have to order the right amount. Between initial subscriptions […]
Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and do in Camden Town
Giving the Borough of Camden its name, Camden Town derives its name from Camden Place, the estate of the First Earl of Camden. As London grew to encompass this district, Camden Town has transformed into one of the quaintest tourist spots in the whole city. You can find just about everything including great treat food, […]
Tube of the Imagination: A Guide to Fictional Underground Stations
It’s a common practice in literature and media to create fake places for your stories. Maybe the real ones aren’t available or are poorly suited to your movie or show. Perhaps no real place exists that can meet the needs of your story, yet you want everything to be grounded in reality. Being a major […]
London Annual 2018: Top 10 London Bookshops For the Book Lover
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the 2018 London Annual, and while this special publication is now sold out, you can support great long-form writing about London by subscribing to the Londontopia Print Magazine, debuting in June 2018. Full details here. London is the capital of good bookshops. And while there are dozens of […]
Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Bethnal Green
Bethnal Green is perhaps the closest London gets to a respite district. Away from the hustle and bustle of places like Kensington, Westminster, and the City of London, life moves at a slightly different pace. There’s fewer things to attract the bulk of tourists in this district, but that does not mean there isn’t anything […]
Guest Post: Ten Amazing Secret Locations to Discover in London!
Editor’s Note: This guest post was written by Matt and Jess, guides from Fun London Tours. They’ve been an advertiser on Londontopia for several years and runs some great tours on offer for visitors to London. Vist their website here and use coupon code: TOPIA20 to save 20% off your tour! By Fun London Tours […]
The London Fiver – Five of the Best Game and Entertainment Centers in London
Everyone enjoys playing video games, whether it’s old school Pac Man or newer team-based games such as Overwatch. There are plenty of options for gaming fun in London from those who just want an arcade machine for some single-player action to big-time eSports competitions. Other gaming opportunities even offer you the chance to fully immerse […]
Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Brixton
A part of London that is further from the touristy-sections, the London district of Brixton in the Borough of Lambeth is mostly a residential community. Additionally, it is one of the more diverse parts of the city, with a large Caribbean community that has contributed to Brixton’s culture. There may not seem to be much […]
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!
