Who doesn't love a boat trip on The Thames? Combine that thrill with the fun of Horrible Histories 'on location,' and you're ready for the new Terrible Thames River Tour. Horrible Histories Horrible Histories is a multi-award-winning comedy sketch series from Children's BBC with some great songs as well (this one may well remind you of an Elvis tune!). Fact-filled and … [Read more...] about Terrible Thames Boat Tour Review – Horrible Histories Fun On The River
Travel
Crossrail almost at ‘dress rehearsals’ ahead of possible February 2022 opening
Crossrail is set to have its “dress rehearsals” this year and could open by February 2022, MPs have been told. The Transport for London (TfL) project has faced problems in a number of areas, including construction work and signaling systems, with the impact of coronavirus also costing it £230 million, it has been said. However, Crossrail Ltd chief executive Mark Wild told … [Read more...] about Crossrail almost at ‘dress rehearsals’ ahead of possible February 2022 opening
Hammersmith Bridge to reopen for pedestrians and cyclists only
West London’s Hammersmith Bridge is to partially reopen on Saturday after passing safety checks. Hammersmith and Fulham Council said pedestrians and cyclists will be permitted to use the 134-year-old cast-iron structure. Vessels on the River Thames will also be allowed to pass beneath it. Cracks in the pedestals have led to motor vehicles being prohibited … [Read more...] about Hammersmith Bridge to reopen for pedestrians and cyclists only
Temporary Man-made mountain art installation at Marble Arch to offer sweeping views of London
Tickets for a 25-meter man-made mountain in the middle of one of London’s busiest tourist areas have gone on sale. The Marble Arch Mound, created by Westminster City Council, will open up to members of the public from July 26 until January 2022. Visitors will be able to see sweeping views of the capital’s Oxford Street, Hyde Park, Mayfair, and Marylebone as part of a … [Read more...] about Temporary Man-made mountain art installation at Marble Arch to offer sweeping views of London
Museum of the Home (formerly the Geffrye Museum) Re-opens After 3-year renovation – Check Out What’s Changed
When the Geffyre Museum closed in 2018, there was a lot of trepidation about its future. Often called a 'hidden gem,' it was a lovely little free museum that gave us an insight into Londoners' home life over the last 400 years. Three years later, it has been transformed and is now double the size with 80% more exhibition space. Still free, but with a new name, The Museum of … [Read more...] about Museum of the Home (formerly the Geffrye Museum) Re-opens After 3-year renovation – Check Out What’s Changed
Oxford Circus finally to be partially pedestrianized starting this summer
The area around London’s famous Oxford Circus is to be transformed into two pedestrianized “piazzas” after years of deliberation. Work due to start later this year will include “significant improvements to the public spaces” as well as additional planting and seating in the shopping and leisure district, Westminster City Council and the Crown Estate announced on … [Read more...] about Oxford Circus finally to be partially pedestrianized starting this summer
London Hard Rock Cafe marks 50th anniversary by turning back clock to 1971
Diners were served a classic menu of burgers, ribs, and cola floats at 1971 prices as London’s Hard Rock Cafe marked its 50th birthday. Some of the original waitresses returned for the special occasion while blue-checked tablecloths and a jukebox restored the restaurant’s original look. The special menu boasted a burger for 50p, roadhouse ribs for 80p, and a hot fudge … [Read more...] about London Hard Rock Cafe marks 50th anniversary by turning back clock to 1971
Ugh the scourge of e-scooters are being tested in London
Rental electric scooters in London are “as safe as possible”, according to one of the firms involved in a trial which launches today in London. Previously, e-scooters were simply not allowed on Britain's roads, which was nice. No tripping over randomly left scooters everywhere that has become common in America's cities. The contraptions are “very stable” and have “the best … [Read more...] about Ugh the scourge of e-scooters are being tested in London
A Brief History of London’s Ring Roads
Traffic calming and efforts to ease congestion have taken many forms throughout the world and especially in London. Today, emphasis on public transportation, bike shares, and the advent of the London Congestion Charge at the beginning of the century are the primary ways that the city seeks to make it easier to get around. In the 1960s, the Greater London Council (the … [Read more...] about A Brief History of London’s Ring Roads
Tower of London reopens after lockdown – and public chooses name for new raven
The Tower of London has reopened after lockdown, and a baby raven at the Tower of London has been named Branwen following a public vote. The winning name was announced as part of the tower’s reopening after its longest closure since the Second World War. “The results are in! Our new baby raven’s name is … BRANWEN,” @TowerOfLondon tweeted on Wednesday. The results … [Read more...] about Tower of London reopens after lockdown – and public chooses name for new raven
Historic London retailer Arthur Beale to close store after 150 years
One of London’s oldest shops is to shut its doors for a final time after it said it was unable to pay its rent following the impact of the pandemic. Sailing outfitter Arthur Beale on Shaftesbury Avenue in the West End is to close after 150 years in the location. It was inevitable that some classic London places would not survive the economic damage of the pandemic. The … [Read more...] about Historic London retailer Arthur Beale to close store after 150 years
Princess Diana’s wedding dress to go on show at Kensington Palace
Diana, Princess of Wales’s famous wedding dress is to go on show at Kensington Palace for the first time in more than 25 years. The Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex have agreed to lend their mother’s romantic full silk taffeta bridal gown to Historic Royal Palaces for a temporary exhibition. Royal Style In The Making will open in the orangery of the princess’s … [Read more...] about Princess Diana’s wedding dress to go on show at Kensington Palace
Napoleon statue in London at Aspley House conserved ahead of 200th anniversary of his death
A statue and death mask of Napoleon kept at the former London residence of the Duke of Wellington have been cleaned and conserved ahead of the 200th anniversary of the French emperor’s death. The mask of the military leader’s face was made upon his death on May 5, 1821, while the Napoleon As Mars The Peacemaker statue was sculpted between 1802 and 1806. English Heritage … [Read more...] about Napoleon statue in London at Aspley House conserved ahead of 200th anniversary of his death
London 101: What is the London Congestion Charge?
Everyone hates traffic. No matter where you are in the world, there is nothing more frustrating than sitting behind the wheel of your car, needing to get somewhere, and moving at an absolute crawl. To find a solution to this issue in the most central areas of London, the City took a page from Singapore’s Electronic Road Pricing Toll System. Today, the London Congestion … [Read more...] about London 101: What is the London Congestion Charge?
The Age of the Iconic Routemaster Red London Bus Is Officially Over
The Red Routemaster Red London Buses are a London icon. Even after they ended their regular services over a decade ago, the allure and fame of the bus has continued. In a bid to respect this heritage Transport for London kept a few going on 'heritage' routes in Central London so tourists and enthusiasts could still ride them. Now, those days are officially over. The heritage … [Read more...] about The Age of the Iconic Routemaster Red London Bus Is Officially Over
Ten Places to Get Lost in London When We Can All Return
Get lost! No, we mean it. Sometimes the best way to truly experience a place is to get yourself lost. As large a city as it is, London certainly offers many chances to explore its streets, waterways, and landmarks. Just letting yourself wander around in London can help you discover something you never knew existed before, from new restaurants to fascinating exhibits. We … [Read more...] about Ten Places to Get Lost in London When We Can All Return
Ten Interesting Facts about Hampstead Heath
Hampstead Heath is part of London’s colorful ecology that blends the modern urban concrete of the city with the green lusciousness of its past. The Heath, as it’s known locally, has been a part of London since ancient times and today is one of the finest green spaces in the entire city. It’s also full of conservation areas, freshwater swimming ponds, lovely monuments, and … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts about Hampstead Heath
Ten Interesting Facts about Kensington Gardens
While Kensington Gardens are open to the public, there was a time when this wasn’t so. The gardens were originally part of Kensington Palace, a royal residence that was once home to King William III and Queen Mary II (now home to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge). Today, Kensington Gardens are one of four Royal Parks in London along with Regent’s Park, St. James’s Park, Hyde … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts about Kensington Gardens
Ten More Interesting Facts about Regent’s Park
Another green space that was once the personal property of King Henry VIII, by the 19th Century it was transformed by landscape architect John Nash into the public park it is today. Last time we wrote about Regent’s we covered such interesting stories as its zoological history, the view from Primrose Hill, and the ties to the 2012 Olympic Games. However, the fascinating … [Read more...] about Ten More Interesting Facts about Regent’s Park
Ten Interesting Facts about St. James’s Park
In the heart of Westminster, St. James’s Park is a Royal Park in the truest sense. St. James’s borders Buckingham Palace on one end and 10 Downing Street on the other, with St. James’s Palace a stone’s throw from the park’s northern border. As with many of the Royal Parks, it began as the personal property of King Henry VIII which was later developed under King James I and … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts about St. James’s Park
A Brief History of London’s Buses
London’s buses are an iconic symbol of the city. The red double-decker isn’t seen as heavily in any other part of the world and they are as much a part of London as the Tower Bridge, Parliament, and Buckingham Palace. Of course, these buses known as the Routemaster weren’t the first to offer transport for Londoners. buses on the streets of this great metropolis stretch back … [Read more...] about A Brief History of London’s Buses
LONDON UNDER: Exploring Hidden London’s Abandoned Charing Cross Station
London Transport Museum has a really interesting selection of ‘Hidden London’ tours that give us occasional access to tunnels and stations on the London transport network that are no longer in operational use. The ‘Charing Cross: Access All Areas’ tour looks at the out of service Jubilee line platforms and construction tunnels left over from the excavation of the Jubilee line … [Read more...] about LONDON UNDER: Exploring Hidden London’s Abandoned Charing Cross Station
Top 10 London: Top Ten Shopping Centers in London
So you’ve traveled all the way to London—and you want to go to the mall. Well, while London certainly has many a great market, arcade, and high street, you’ll be glad to know that shopping malls aren’t exclusively American. London has plenty of its own great shopping centers that offer a British take on the mall experience. Visitors to one of these shopping centers may find … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: Top Ten Shopping Centers in London
The London Fiver – Five Collector Toy Shops
They say you’re only as old as you feel. For many of us, growing up meant going to the toy store to look, but not take anything home. Now that we’re adults, we like to indulge ourselves in collecting, and there are plenty of stores in London that cater to this demographic. Unlike Harrods, Selfridges, or even Hamleys, the stores below cater to the young and the old, often … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Collector Toy Shops
Londontopia Announcement: Introducing The New Full-Color 101 London Travel Tips 2nd Edition
Today we’re coming out with a new guidebook. We’ve spent the last few months retooling our guidebook 101 London Travel Tips. We’ve given it a new look, higher-quality printing, added color photos and overall updated all the writing to be relevant to today. Today it’s available to buy from us or from bookstores everywhere. This book is an important milestone in a new direction … [Read more...] about Londontopia Announcement: Introducing The New Full-Color 101 London Travel Tips 2nd Edition
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!