Big news for fans of British star Ian McKellan, to celebrate his 80th birthday next year, he's going to go on a national tour around Britain, celebrating his greatest hits and raising funds for theatre. Here are the details: Ian McKellen is to celebrate his 8oth birthday next year by raising funds for theatres, with a new solo show which will play on 80 … [Read more...] about Ian McKellan To Go On Tour For His 80th Birthday – Tolkien, Shakespeare, others
Travel
Top Ten London: 10 Best Places to Spot Christmas Decorations in London
“Those Christmas lights, light up the street” and how they light up the streets of London. From Oxford Street to Harrod’s, you can count on London to do it up big for the holiday. Many big shopping districts and landmarks throughout Great London have incredibly impressive displays of decorations that shine and sparkle all season long and despite it being early November, many … [Read more...] about Top Ten London: 10 Best Places to Spot Christmas Decorations in London
London Alert: Tower of London Lights 10,000 Torches in its Moat in Remembrance of World War I – See it by Sunday!
A very moving scene has been created in London at the Tower of London and you only have until the 11th to see it. 10,000 gas lanterns have been lit in the Tower's moat in commemoration of the end of World War I. If you're in London right now, you have until Sunday to see this. Go! I wish I was there to see it in person. From Historic Royal Palaces: As the nation … [Read more...] about London Alert: Tower of London Lights 10,000 Torches in its Moat in Remembrance of World War I – See it by Sunday!
London Alert! The LED Tube Light Is BACK! We’re Getting Just 100 More!
All right, the LED Tube Light is the most popular product we've ever offered. We didn't think we were going to be able to get more but got the great news this week that we have secured another 100 units! They will be arriving here at our office in early December. I can promise they will ship before Christmas (via Priority Mail as well, which only takes 2-3 days). So, the … [Read more...] about London Alert! The LED Tube Light Is BACK! We’re Getting Just 100 More!
Ten Interesting Facts and Figures about the Dorchester Hotel
One of the pinnacles of prestige in London, the Dorchester Hotel is a five-star accommodation that is as known for luxury as the number of famous names who have stayed there since it opened in 1931. Its guests have included everyone from poet Cecil Day-Lewis (father of actor Daniel Day-Lewis) to Queen Elizabeth II. Designed in an art deco style, the hotel has maintained that … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts and Figures about the Dorchester Hotel
Iconic Battersea Power Station to Get Great Glass Elevator in Its Chimney Offering 360 Degree Views of London from 2021
No, Willy Wonka isn't building a chocolate factory in London. Battersea Power Station, made famous by the iconic Pink Floyd's album cover and then became more famous as a white elephant changing hands several times, is to get a new tourist attraction. They're going to put a glass elevator in one of the smokestacks and offer travelers a chance to get 360-degree unobstructed … [Read more...] about Iconic Battersea Power Station to Get Great Glass Elevator in Its Chimney Offering 360 Degree Views of London from 2021
Carnaby Street Unveils Bohemian Rhapsody Christmas Lights
We're very excited about the upcoming film about Queen called Bohemian Rhapsody and in celebration, Carnaby Street has decked out the street with Christmas Lights inspired by the song. They were switched on a few days ago (with surviving Queen members and film star Rami Malek present to do the honors). And they look amazing! The lights will grace Carnaby Street until early … [Read more...] about Carnaby Street Unveils Bohemian Rhapsody Christmas Lights
A Brief History of London’s Parks
London’s parks are some of the best in the world. From Hyde Park to Hampstead Heath, they are beautiful places that create pockets of greenery throughout the city, offering Londoners a chance to connect with nature, be active, speak out, and have fun. However, these parks didn’t always exist, and their creation has a story all its own. In fact, there are several stories as … [Read more...] about A Brief History of London’s Parks
London Alert: Regent Street Christmas Light Switch-on Date Announced – November 15th
Oxford Street announced last week and now Regent Street has announced when they'll be switching on their Christmas lights - November 15th. Here are the details: Home to the largest lights installation in the capital, Regent Street is best known for its awe-inspiring ‘The Spirit of Christmas’ lights. These stunning suspended spirits were inspired by Regent Street’s very … [Read more...] about London Alert: Regent Street Christmas Light Switch-on Date Announced – November 15th
Wands At The Ready! Giant Harry Potter Wands Unveiled On Walk to St Paul’s Cathedral
We reported on this a couple weeks ago (and it was the most popular thing we've posted in months!) so we figured we would let everyone know that the Giant Harry Potter Wands are now on display on the walk to St Paul's Cathedral from the Millenium Bridge for a very limited time. Put up to coincide with the upcoming film Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, Fantastic … [Read more...] about Wands At The Ready! Giant Harry Potter Wands Unveiled On Walk to St Paul’s Cathedral
London Alert: Oxford Street Christmas Lights Will Be Switched On Tuesday, November 6th
Mark your calendars intrepid London travelers, Oxford Street will be turning on it's Christmas Lights on Tuesday, November 6th. This yearly London tradition is one thing we always look forward to and if you're in London after the 6th, it's a treat to see London's shopping streets illuminated. The lights aren't 'new' this year as the planned illuminations are delayed due to … [Read more...] about London Alert: Oxford Street Christmas Lights Will Be Switched On Tuesday, November 6th
Stanfords, My Favorite Bookstore in London, Is Moving From its Iconic Current Location after More than a Century
This news has gutted me. I try to take the changing face of London in stride. London is an ever-changing city that has never existed in a static state. But this one hurts. Stanfords, the iconic travel bookstore, has been based in their Long Acre Street location since 1901. Famed for their selection of maps, explorers and adventurers throughout history have bought … [Read more...] about Stanfords, My Favorite Bookstore in London, Is Moving From its Iconic Current Location after More than a Century
London Alert: Introducing the London Street Sign Collection at Anglotopia Imports
We’ve been working on this one for a few months and are quite excited to finally be able to offer authentic London Metal Street Signs. We’ve picked 15 of the most popular places in London for you to choose from. Each sign is about 12×16 inches (similar in size to the metal signs we offered earlier this year) and ready to hang. Each sign is being custom made for Anglotopia … [Read more...] about London Alert: Introducing the London Street Sign Collection at Anglotopia Imports
London Alert: Giant Harry Potter Wands to Light Up the Path to St Paul’s from October to November
Attention Harry Potter fans who will be in London later this month! In celebration of the upcoming sequel to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, 9 giant wands will light the path from Millenium Bridge to St Paul's Cathedral to promote the film but also raise awareness of JK Rowling's charity work Lumos (which seeks to end the institutionalization of children). From … [Read more...] about London Alert: Giant Harry Potter Wands to Light Up the Path to St Paul’s from October to November
Laura’s London: Four New Permanent Galleries at the National Maritime Museum – Here’s Our First Look!
Following a major £12.6M redevelopment project, The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich has new permanent galleries open from 20 September 2018. 1,000m2 of space in the Museum's East Wing, previously closed to visitors, has been converted to public use adding an additional 40% of gallery space. And just like the rest of the Museum, these galleries are free to visit. The … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: Four New Permanent Galleries at the National Maritime Museum – Here’s Our First Look!
The London Fiver: 5 Christmas Markets To Plan To Visit During the Holiday Season
Once we get into November, the Christmas decorations go up all around London, and the Christmas Markets come out onto the city’s streets. Unlike the usual markets selling vintage goods, food, or clothing, obviously, these are geared more towards the festive season. While some take on the normal look of market stalls, others look like little cottages decked out in lights and … [Read more...] about The London Fiver: 5 Christmas Markets To Plan To Visit During the Holiday Season
Laura’s London: A Look at the Courtauld Impressionists at The National Gallery – From Manet to Cézanne
For the first time in London for 70 years, the National Gallery is displaying major Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterworks from the Courtauld Gallery, purchased in the 1920s by Samuel Courtauld (1876–1947). These are shown alongside paintings from the National Gallery's own collection which the businessman and philanthropist financed and helped acquire. Courtauld … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: A Look at the Courtauld Impressionists at The National Gallery – From Manet to Cézanne
New Museum Alert: Body Worlds Coming to London as a Permanent Museum
When Ripley's Believe it or Not in Piccadilly Circus closed earlier this year, we all wondered what would replace it since it was such a prominent location. Well, now we have an answer. Body Worlds, the famous exhibition that showcased real preserved bodies in various states, is getting a permanent home in London. Body Worlds is coming to 1 Piccadilly Cirus. … [Read more...] about New Museum Alert: Body Worlds Coming to London as a Permanent Museum
Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Ealing
Once a rural Middlesex village, Ealing was swallowed up along with much of the surrounding area as London grew into the metropolis it is today. Ealing was made its own borough in 1901 and became part of Greater London in 1965. While once a sleepy community, today Ealing is alive as a commercial and event center of West London. As such, there’s much to do within the borough, … [Read more...] about Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Ealing
London Alert: More Hidden London Tours Announced – Bookings Open Tomorrow
We've written about these tours many times previously and this is a reminder that public bookings open up for Hidden London Tours tomorrow. Here are the tours on offer this time around: Aldwych: The End of the Line Be transported back to where time stands still. Aldwych station is one of London’s secret places, holding myths and memories of times gone by. Opened to the … [Read more...] about London Alert: More Hidden London Tours Announced – Bookings Open Tomorrow
Our Official London Top 10: Our Personal Favourite Things to See and do in London
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the 2018 London Annual. Pre-orders are now open for the 2019 London Annual - your guide to London in 2018. Reserve yours here. In the 2017 London Annual, we wrote an article about the tourist traps that visitors to London should avoid. We got a good response from the article, but everyone wondered, what were some of the … [Read more...] about Our Official London Top 10: Our Personal Favourite Things to See and do in London
Crossrail News: The Elizabeth Line Opening Has Officially Been Delayed
Big news in the London Transport realm. Crossrail, aka the Elizabeth Line, London's new east-west underground railway, has had its opening delayed. It was scheduled to start opening in stages in December 2018, but Crossrail (the company building the railway) has confirmed today that they will not meet that target. They have set Autumn 2019 as the tentative open date. From … [Read more...] about Crossrail News: The Elizabeth Line Opening Has Officially Been Delayed
London Alert: Announcing the 2019 London Annual Guide to London in 2019 – Pre-orders Now Open
It’s that time of year again - time to begin our orders for the London Annual - our guide to what to see and do in London in 2019. This is our third year in producing this special publication and it has become very popular. We're taking advance orders for two weeks! This year’s London Annual will be in the same format as last year’s; it will be 128 full-color pages. It's … [Read more...] about London Alert: Announcing the 2019 London Annual Guide to London in 2019 – Pre-orders Now Open
Tipsy Touring: Your Guide to London Brewery and Gin Distillery Tours
Besides tea, a couple of drinks that are endemic to Britain's identity are ale and gin. Ale is a combination of yeast, hops, and barley that is warm fermented and there are many different types of beer you can make from it depending on the amount and types of ingredients. Gin, on the other hand, is a spirit developed from juniper berries. Both beverages not only have a … [Read more...] about Tipsy Touring: Your Guide to London Brewery and Gin Distillery Tours
Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Chelsea
One-half of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Chelsea is a fairly posh area of London (see: massive understatement) that’s been an important part of London since the first Synod of Chelsea in 787 AD. It later became the property of the Crown when King Henry VIII acquired it in 1536. From that point on, its association with the monarch made it a fashionable area to … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Chelsea
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!
