Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei is to take over London’s Design Museum with his first installation using design and history as a lens through which to consider what we value. Hundreds of thousands of objects, which have been collected by Weiwei since the 1990s as part of his ongoing fascination with artifacts and traditional craftsmanship, will be at the heart of the … [Read more...] about Artist Ai Weiwei to launch first design-focused exhibition at London’s Design Museum
Travel
London Travel Alert: Staff at British Museum to walk out during half-term break
Fresh strikes have been called by the biggest civil service union in its long-running dispute over jobs, pay and pensions. Members of the Public and Commercial Service union (PCS) at the British Museum will take industrial action during February half term. More than 100 members of the museum’s visitor services and security teams will take seven days’ action from February … [Read more...] about London Travel Alert: Staff at British Museum to walk out during half-term break
National Portrait Gallery to reopen in June with two special exhibitions
The National Portrait Gallery will reopen later this year with an exhibition of previously unseen photographs by Sir Paul McCartney from his early days in The Beatles. The archive features images taken between December 1963 and February 1964 – from the emergence of Beatlemania in Liverpool to performing on The Ed Sullivan Show in New York for an audience of millions. In … [Read more...] about National Portrait Gallery to reopen in June with two special exhibitions
Ten Social Media Accounts to Follow for Londonphiles
For good or for ill, social media is everywhere these days. We watch videos on Tiktok and Youtube, post our photos to Instagram, chat via WhatsApp, and keep in touch with our friends using Facebook. Social media can also be a useful place to find information (hopefully good information) about places we love. Of course, this includes London, and there are plenty of social … [Read more...] about Ten Social Media Accounts to Follow for Londonphiles
Pollock’s Toy Museum in London Has Closed Unexpectedly
One of London’s most famous tourist attractions - Pollock’s Toy Museum in central London - has closed its doors unexpectedly. The Toy Museum, located in a beautiful old Georgian building, was a popular tourist attraction, showcasing the history of toys from around the world. According to the statement released this week by the store on their website, they’ve been forced … [Read more...] about Pollock’s Toy Museum in London Has Closed Unexpectedly
Tube and London bus fares to rise by nearly 6% from March
Passengers using public transport in London face an average hike in fares of 5.9% from March 5 under proposals announced by mayor Sadiq Khan. The plan means the weekly cap for using buses and trams in the capital is set to increase by £1.40 to £24.70. London Underground passengers will see the weekly cap for travel in zones one and three rise by £3 to £48. The average … [Read more...] about Tube and London bus fares to rise by nearly 6% from March
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
Heathrow records biggest increase in passengers of any European airport
Heathrow said it recorded the largest increase in passengers of any European airport last year. The west London airport was used by 61.6 million passengers in 2022, up 42.2 million compared with 2021. It experienced a surge in passenger numbers after the UK scrapped all coronavirus travel restrictions in March last year, after having some of Europe’s toughest rules in … [Read more...] about Heathrow records biggest increase in passengers of any European airport
The Fiver: Five Things to Buy Before Your Trip to London
Trying to figure out what you need to pack before a trip can always be a struggle. Sometimes that also means figuring out what you need to buy before you leave. Do you need toiletries that’ll get past TSA? Should you buy those theater tickets before trying to hit the West End? There can be a lot of decisions to make when it comes to answering these questions, and we’re here … [Read more...] about The Fiver: Five Things to Buy Before Your Trip to London
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 American Cities with Direct Flights to London
Is there anything more annoying about air travel than a layover? Okay, maybe bad food, crying babies, terrible in-flight movies, or that one other passenger that causes so much trouble they have to get duct taped to a seat. But anyway, layovers can still be pretty annoying especially when you need to fly an incredibly long distance like, say, to London. Fortunately for you, … [Read more...] about Ten American Cities with Direct Flights to London
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
What is Crossrail 2 and What is Its Current Status?
With the launching of Crossrail, aka the Elizabeth Line this past summer, the discussion in London mass transit now turns to Crossrail 2. You might be wondering what exactly this means and how is this any different from the new Elizabeth Line? Well, the first Crossrail line was only one solution to London’s congested roads and Underground lines and Crossrail 2 is the next … [Read more...] about What is Crossrail 2 and What is Its Current Status?
The Museum of London Has Closed, Long Live the London Museum
In a city with no shortage of great history museums, the Museum of London is one that is dedicated to the city itself and its growth from a small settlement in pre-Roman times to the megalopolis world capital it is today. The museum began in 1976 as a merger of the collections belonging to the Guildhall Museum and the London Museum. Once located near the Barbican estate at … [Read more...] about The Museum of London Has Closed, Long Live the London Museum
The Fiver: Five Things to Do in London on New Year’s Day
2023 is coming and it’s time to start planning how we’re going to celebrate. Of course, most events you’ll look up focus on New Year’s Eve, be they concerts, parties, or other creative ways to count down to midnight. When you wake up in the morning and you’re not too partied out from the night before, there are plenty of things you can do in London to ring in the new year and … [Read more...] about The Fiver: Five Things to Do in London on New Year’s Day
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
Heathrow doing ‘everything we can’ to protect flights on strike days
Heathrow has announced it is doing “everything we can” to ensure no flights are canceled due to Border Force strikes. It is one of six UK airports where Border Force workers will walk out from December 23. There are fears that delays in checking the passports of arriving passengers could lead to long queues and even people being held on planes, disrupting subsequent … [Read more...] about Heathrow doing ‘everything we can’ to protect flights on strike days
Heathrow Express Decorates for Christmas
Heathrow Express, the express train that runs from Heathrow to Paddington in fifteen minutes, has gotten into the Christmas spirit. From the press release: Between 5th - 7th December, those lucky enough to be traveling in the Christmas carriage can experience a joyful journey. Christmas postal elves will guide people along the platform to the carriage, where twinkling … [Read more...] about Heathrow Express Decorates for Christmas
Heathrow Airport employs Dave the robot dog
Heathrow Airport has employed a robotic dog called Dave in a bid to improve efficiency and safety on major construction projects. Dave is a robot developed by Boston Dynamics, an American engineering and robotic company, and is being trialed in partnership with Mace, a global consultancy and construction company, with Dave providing 3D laser scans of the ongoing refurbishment … [Read more...] about Heathrow Airport employs Dave the robot dog
Ten Things to Do on the Isle of Dogs
Hundreds of years ago, the Isle of Dogs was marshlands without much on it but a farm. Technically more of a peninsula than an island. This location has changed over time to become docklands and, today a major mixed-use development. Anyone visiting the Isle of Dogs can find parks, restaurants, shops, offices, and all manner of entertainment in the 800 acres that comprise the … [Read more...] about Ten Things to Do on the Isle of Dogs
Merry Strikemas: Flights will be disrupted at Heathrow as workers confirm strike in pay row
Ground handlers employed by a private contractor at Heathrow Airport are to strike in a row over pay. Around 350 members of Unite working for Menzies will walk out for 72 hours from 4am on Friday December 16. The action will lead to some flight disruption, the union said. “Menzies needs to have a long hard look at itself. This is a highly lucrative company, which … [Read more...] about Merry Strikemas: Flights will be disrupted at Heathrow as workers confirm strike in pay row
Travel Alert: Eurostar security staff announce pre-Christmas strikes
Security staff on Eurostar are to strike for four days next month in a dispute over pay. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union employed by a private contractor will walk out on December 16, 18, 22 and 23 after voting 4-1 in favor of industrial action. The RMT said the strike will “severely affect” Eurostar services and travel plans for people over the … [Read more...] about Travel Alert: Eurostar security staff announce pre-Christmas strikes
Sir David Attenborough to narrate new immersive BBC Earth Experience in London
Sir David Attenborough will narrate a new immersive BBC Earth Experience, which is set to launch in London next year. The ‘immersive digital journey’ will guide visitors through the World’s seven continents and feature footage from the BBC’s Seven Worlds, One Planet series. The BBC Earth Experience, which will arrive at the brand new Daikin Centre in Earl’s Court in … [Read more...] about Sir David Attenborough to narrate new immersive BBC Earth Experience in London
Waterloo reclaims title of Britain’s busiest railway station
London Waterloo has regained its status as Britain’s most frequently used railway station. The Office of Rail and Road said the station was used by an estimated 41.4 million passengers in the 12 months to the end of March. Today we reveal the stations with the most entries and exits in Great Britain. @LondonWaterloo reclaims the top spot with 41.4 million from April 2021 … [Read more...] about Waterloo reclaims title of Britain’s busiest railway station
Virgin Atlantic boss says Heathrow expansion will be ‘difficult’ to support
The Heathrow expansion will be “difficult” to support unless regulation of the airport is overhauled, the boss of Virgin Atlantic has warned. Chief executive Shai Weiss said the west London airport must be “priced fairly and open to competition”. Heathrow is continuing to develop its plan to build a third runway, which was delayed by legal challenges and the coronavirus … [Read more...] about Virgin Atlantic boss says Heathrow expansion will be ‘difficult’ to support
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!