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
Travel
Eurostar boosts train services between London and Amsterdam
Eurostar will run more direct trains between London and the Netherlands to meet growing demand, the company has announced. A fourth daily weekday service will operate in both directions between London St Pancras International and Amsterdam via Brussels and Rotterdam from September 5. The extra service from London will depart at 6.16 am, with journey times of around three … [Read more...] about Eurostar boosts train services between London and Amsterdam
London City Airport bids to ease Saturday flight ban
London City Airport wants its ban on flights after 1 pm on Saturdays to be scrapped. The airport is also calling for more flights to be allowed early in the morning and late at night. It claimed the measures are vital to allow it to meet future demand. But residents’ organisation Hacan East warned the plans will “anger” local communities. London City has launched … [Read more...] about London City Airport bids to ease Saturday flight ban
Freddie Mercury’s childhood stamp collection to go on display this summer at The Postal Museum
The childhood stamp album of the late Queen singer Freddie Mercury is to go on display at The Postal Museum in London this summer. The 54-page album consists mostly of stamps from the British Commonwealth and showcases his upbringing in Zanzibar, Tanzania, and his artistic passion. It will be on display from July 13 to October 30 as part of the museum’s events to mark 50 … [Read more...] about Freddie Mercury’s childhood stamp collection to go on display this summer at The Postal Museum
Heathrow Airport told to reduce passenger charges
Heathrow Airport must reduce its passenger charges amid a surge in demand for flights, the aviation regulator has announced The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said the cap on the west London airport’s average charge per passenger will fall from £30.19 today to £26.31 in 2026. This is equivalent to nearly a 6% reduction each year when the effects of inflation are removed, … [Read more...] about Heathrow Airport told to reduce passenger charges
Windrush generation makes our culture richer, says William as monument unveiled at Waterloo Station
Black men and women are still facing racism and discrimination in modern-day Britain in a nation that would be poorer without the efforts of the Windrush generation, the Duke of Cambridge has said. William was speaking as he and the Duchess of Cambridge attended the unveiling of a national monument at London’s Waterloo Station to celebrate the dreams and courage of the … [Read more...] about Windrush generation makes our culture richer, says William as monument unveiled at Waterloo Station
London Alert: Announcing Our latest book – London Tube 101 – History, Culture, and Travel on London’s Transport Network
We are thrilled to announce Anglotopia's newest book: London Tube 101- History, Culture, and Travel on London’s Transport Network. This new publication is your complete guidebook to London's iconic transport network; its history, culture, and a guide to using the famous London Tube network. The book will be released in September and we need to start pre-orders now. We … [Read more...] about London Alert: Announcing Our latest book – London Tube 101 – History, Culture, and Travel on London’s Transport Network
Tube Histories: A Brief History of Docklands Light Railway
Moving onto an oft-forgot member of the London Underground, the Docklands Light Railway is a unique entity of all the lines. The DLR is also one of the youngest parts of the Underground as it’s only been around since 1987. As it celebrates its 35th year of ferrying Londoners around the Docklands, we’re going to explore its history from its origins through multiple extensions … [Read more...] about Tube Histories: A Brief History of Docklands Light Railway
London Alert: Avoid the ‘American’ Candy Stores in London – They’re a scam, apparently
One of the weird things that have popped up in London during/post-pandemic is a proliferation of 'American' Candy stores, mostly concentrated on Oxford street. Like, more than thirty on one street. Well, it turns out that there is a reason for it. And it's not good. One, it appears to be an elaborate tax-dodging scheme, that is now under investigation. Two, the stores are … [Read more...] about London Alert: Avoid the ‘American’ Candy Stores in London – They’re a scam, apparently
Heathrow passenger numbers at 79% of pre-coronavirus levels
Heathrow has announced that passenger numbers were at 79% of pre-coronavirus levels last month. Some 5.3 million people travelled through the west London airport in May. Although that was around a fifth below the total for the same month in 2019, it represents nearly an eight-fold increase on May last year when the UK’s Covid-19 travel restrictions were in … [Read more...] about Heathrow passenger numbers at 79% of pre-coronavirus levels
London Alert: Passengers told to avoid Tube on Monday during 24-hour RMT strike
London Underground is advising people not to travel on Monday because of a strike by thousands of workers in a dispute over jobs and pensions. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) will walk out for 24 hours, crippling Tube services across the capital. Transport for London (TfL) said some train services will run but it expects severe disruption across the … [Read more...] about London Alert: Passengers told to avoid Tube on Monday during 24-hour RMT strike
Tube Histories: A Brief History of the District Line
One of the oldest lines in the history of the London Underground, the District Line has a rich history that has been simultaneously full of competition and cooperation. From its earliest days as the District Railway to the formation of the Circle Line as well as electrification, municipalization, and branching out over greater London, the District Line has a fascinating … [Read more...] about Tube Histories: A Brief History of the District Line
It’s a hit! More than one million journeys were made on new central section of the Elizabeth line
More than a million journeys have been made on the central section of London’s new Elizabeth line railway in the first five days since it opened. London mayor Sadiq Khan said he was “proud to see the roaring success” of the stretch of the line which began operating between stations in Paddington, west London and Abbey Wood, south-east London on Tuesday morning. Transport for … [Read more...] about It’s a hit! More than one million journeys were made on new central section of the Elizabeth line
Dippy the Dinosaur returns to London’s Natural History Museum
Dippy the Dinosaur has returned to the Natural History Museum as part of a new installation following a four-year tour of the UK. The 85ft-long (26m) plaster cast of a diplodocus skeleton was first put on display in the London museum in 1905. The new installation, Dippy Returns: The Nation’s Favourite Dinosaur, will be on display until January and celebrates the landscapes … [Read more...] about Dippy the Dinosaur returns to London’s Natural History Museum
Laura’s London: Elizabeth Line Opening Day First Person Report
Editor's Note: Unfortunately, I couldn't be there today for this special day, but thankfully Laura Porter was able to get out there and check out London's new railway today and write up this report for everyone. Thank you, Laura! We'll soon forget the long delay and the enormous cost as the Elizabeth Line opens today (24 May 2022). This is the most significant addition to … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: Elizabeth Line Opening Day First Person Report
In Pictures: Thousands travel on Elizabeth line on first morning of passenger service
Thousands of people traveled on London’s £18.9 billion Elizabeth line railway in the first few hours of operation on Tuesday morning. Hundreds of transport enthusiasts gathered at stations in Paddington, west London, and Abbey Wood, south-east London, to be on the first trains, which departed shortly after 6.30 am. Transport for London (TfL) commissioner Andy Byford said the … [Read more...] about In Pictures: Thousands travel on Elizabeth line on first morning of passenger service
Countdown to Elizabeth Line opening tomorrow!
London’s new £18.9 billion Elizabeth line railway opens on Tuesday. The delayed and overbudget line will boost capacity and cut journey times for east-west travel across the capital. Services will begin in new tunnels under the center of the city at 6.30 am. Large numbers of transport enthusiasts are expected to be on the first departures. The Elizabeth line … [Read more...] about Countdown to Elizabeth Line opening tomorrow!
New Tube map with Elizabeth Line published by Transport for London
Transport for London (TfL) has released a new Tube map with the Elizabeth line included for the first time. The new east-west railway has been added to the map ahead of its opening on May 24. It is displayed as a double purple line rather than a solid line to “differentiate the Elizabeth line as a new railway as opposed to a London Underground line”, TfL said. The Queen … [Read more...] about New Tube map with Elizabeth Line published by Transport for London
UK PM Announces Support for Shelved North-South Crossrail 2 Line
Boris Johnson has called for another multibillion-pound railway to be built in London after marking the completion of Crossrail. The Prime Minister said the Government would back Crossrail 2 – a proposed north-south rail link across London – but the capital’s businesses would need to develop a plan to pay for it. He said: “The real thing for us now is to think about … [Read more...] about UK PM Announces Support for Shelved North-South Crossrail 2 Line
Queen beams in sunshine yellow for surprise visit to open Elizabeth Line in London
The Queen has made a surprise appearance to officially open the completed Elizabeth line, named in her honor. She was given an Oyster card and shown how to use it on a ticket machine. The 96-year-old monarch, who now rarely carries out public engagements outside of her royal residences, joined her youngest son the Earl of Wessex at Paddington Station for the royal visit … [Read more...] about Queen beams in sunshine yellow for surprise visit to open Elizabeth Line in London
Bank branch of Northern line reopens after ‘vital’ work to ease Tube congestion
A key London Underground section has been reopened following a 17-week closure for major improvement work. Services resumed on the Bank branch of the Northern line on Monday after what London mayor Sadiq Khan described as “vital” work to ease congestion. The closure enabled 550 construction staff to complete a new Tube train tunnel and passenger concourse at Bank station … [Read more...] about Bank branch of Northern line reopens after ‘vital’ work to ease Tube congestion
London buses given purple makeover ahead of Platinum Jubilee
Eight London buses have been given a purple makeover to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Transport for London (TfL) said the vehicles began displaying their commemorative wraps on the capital’s roads on Friday. The revamp was funded by operators Arriva, RATP, Abellio, Go-Ahead, Metroline, and Stagecoach. Passengers using the Elizabeth line, Jubilee line, or … [Read more...] about London buses given purple makeover ahead of Platinum Jubilee
Ten Romantic Places to Visit in London
Paris might be the “City of Love”, but London certainly has its share of romance. From picturesque Royal Parks to statues that celebrate love, the city has many romantic spots for you to take a loved one. We’ve identified ten different places for romance throughout London and many of them present a great opportunity for a date. If you need flowers, want to take a picnic, … [Read more...] about Ten Romantic Places to Visit in London
Crossrail is Coming: Frequently Asked Questions about the New Elizabeth Line Opening May 24th
The long-awaited Elizabeth line will finally open on May 24. Here are 10 key questions that have been asked about it and about what impact it will have on transport journeys in London. What area will the Elizabeth line cover? It will run from Reading in Berkshire and Heathrow Airport in west London, to Shenfield in Essex and Abbey Wood in south-east London, via the … [Read more...] about Crossrail is Coming: Frequently Asked Questions about the New Elizabeth Line Opening May 24th
Finally: London’s new £19bn Elizabeth line to open on May 24 – Crossrail Arrives!
London’s delayed and over-budget Elizabeth line railway will finally open on Tuesday, May 24, Transport for London (TfL) has announced. Services will initially operate from Mondays to Saturdays, allowing further testing and software updates to take place on Sundays. Crossrail – the project to build the new east-west railway – was due to be completed in December 2018 and was … [Read more...] about Finally: London’s new £19bn Elizabeth line to open on May 24 – Crossrail Arrives!
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!