The Natural History Museum is being forced to close its doors for a week due to “staff shortages” related to coronavirus. The South Kensington visitor attraction has had to make the “difficult decision” to shut from Tuesday after front-of-house staff were “impacted by Covid-19 infections and isolation requirements”. In a statement, the museum said: “We will remain closed … [Read more...] about London’s Natural History Museum closes for a week amid Covid-related ‘staff shortages,’ Some Theatre Shows Close
Travel
Stratford overtakes Waterloo as Britain’s busiest railway station
Stratford was Britain’s busiest railway station in the past year, new figures show. The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) said an estimated 14.0 million passengers traveled through the east London station in the year to the end of March. Passenger numbers across Britain dropped by 78% over the 12-month period due to the coronavirus pandemic. London’s #Stratford … [Read more...] about Stratford overtakes Waterloo as Britain’s busiest railway station
‘Superbloom’ field of flowers to surround Tower of London for Platinum Jubilee
The Tower of London will be surrounded by a vibrant field of millions of colorful flowers in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee next year. Historic Royal Palaces said the “Superbloom” floral display will fill and transform the moat around the tourist attraction in central London. In spring 2022, more than 20 million seeds will be sown from carefully designed seed … [Read more...] about ‘Superbloom’ field of flowers to surround Tower of London for Platinum Jubilee
London’s Elizabeth line reaches dress rehearsal stage ahead of 2022 launch
A new Tube line is in the dress rehearsal stage before opening to passengers next year, Transport for London (TfL) has said. Londoners will be able to take the Elizabeth line between Paddington and Abbey Wood from the first half of 2022. The line is currently undergoing the trial stage, to ensure the safety and reliability of the railway for public use and to test the … [Read more...] about London’s Elizabeth line reaches dress rehearsal stage ahead of 2022 launch
The Courtauld Gallery Reopening after 3 year closure for renovations – Here’s a look at what’s changed
The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has been closed since 2018 for the largest transformation project of its history. It reopens on Friday, Nov 19, 2021, allowing us to enjoy not only the magnificent Impressionist and Post Impressionist collection but so much more with the extra gallery space. The Courtauld is home to one of the greatest collections of art in the UK, … [Read more...] about The Courtauld Gallery Reopening after 3 year closure for renovations – Here’s a look at what’s changed
The London Fiver – Five Bookshops to Visit in the City of Westminster
Westminster is one of London’s largest and most important boroughs. A city in its own right, it contains the Houses of Parliament, Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace, Whitehall, Westminster Abbey, Piccadilly Circus, and many more. With all there is to see here, you might not be thinking about finding a good bookshop, but that’s where we come into the picture. We have found five … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Bookshops to Visit in the City of Westminster
World’s Oldest Toy Store Hamleys unveils its Harry Potter and Jurassic Park Christmas windows
Toy shop Hamleys has unveiled its Christmas windows with scenes from Harry Potter and Jurassic Park. The windows depict two scenes from the Harry Potter films against a snowy backdrop alongside the Jurassic Park feature, with toys from both blockbusters set to be big sellers again this year. Hamleys chief executive Sumeet Yadav said: “This year, we are bringing the magic … [Read more...] about World’s Oldest Toy Store Hamleys unveils its Harry Potter and Jurassic Park Christmas windows
Selfridges unveils ‘Christmas of Dreams’ 2021 window display, in October
It's a bit early, to be honest, I mean it's still October! But Selfridges has unveiled its Christmas window display with an “enchanted dream world” drawing on the Golden Age of Hollywood. With just under two months until the big day, the department store’s “Christmas of Dreams” campaign has been launched at its London, Birmingham, and Manchester stores and … [Read more...] about Selfridges unveils ‘Christmas of Dreams’ 2021 window display, in October
London’s V&A and National Trust unite to explore ‘extraordinary legacy’ of Beatrix Potter in 2022 Exhibition
The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) has joined forces with the National Trust for an exhibition telling the life story of author Beatrix Potter. Drawn to Nature will feature more than 240 personal objects, including rarely seen letters, manuscripts, sketches, coded diaries, and family photographs drawn from the two collections. Potter, who lived between 1866 and … [Read more...] about London’s V&A and National Trust unite to explore ‘extraordinary legacy’ of Beatrix Potter in 2022 Exhibition
Heathrow to raise passenger charges by up to 76%
Flying into Heathrow is to get more expensive for passengers, but most may not notice as the fee is built into your plane ticket. One thing is becoming very clear - as we all resume traveling to Britain, it's going to be more expensive across the board as the travel industry begins to recover from a tough two years. Heathrow has been given the go-ahead to hike passenger … [Read more...] about Heathrow to raise passenger charges by up to 76%
London’s Hamleys unveils most wanted toys for Christmas
Toys that encourage imagination in children are tipped to be top sellers this Christmas as parents seek to counter a “year on screens,” retailer Hamleys has said. This year sees the most-wanted toys encouraging role play and creativity and allowing families to play together after last year’s Covid-restricted celebrations, the store said. The top 10 list includes racing … [Read more...] about London’s Hamleys unveils most wanted toys for Christmas
London’s Night Tube to return in November
London Underground’s Night Tube will resume next month after being suspended in March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Transport for London (TfL) said services on the Central and Victoria lines will run through the night on Fridays and Saturdays from Saturday, November 27. Tens of thousands of people signed a petition calling for the Night Tube to resume to help … [Read more...] about London’s Night Tube to return in November
London Alert: London Tube Lightboxes return along with London Face Masks
We've brought back our London face masks and Tube Lightboxes in very limited quantities! Due to popular request, we've decided to bring back two of our most popular products ever - the London Underground Tube Lightbox and our British Face Masks. We have limited stock on both so once they're gone, they're gone for a while - so I would order for Christmas NOW! Face Masks are … [Read more...] about London Alert: London Tube Lightboxes return along with London Face Masks
Ten Interesting Facts about Winston Churchill’s Cabinet War Rooms
The Cabinet War Rooms, also known as the Churchill War Rooms, is part of the Imperial War Museums and served as the British government’s headquarters during World War II. Churchill’s government-held 115 cabinet meetings in the Central War Room, which also included a dormitory for staff, private bedrooms for important government officials and military officers, and a … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts about Winston Churchill’s Cabinet War Rooms
London Underground Northern Line extension to Nine Elms and Battersea opens to great fanfare
London Underground’s first major line expansion this century has opened (discounting a new station at Heathrow in 2008). Two new Northern line stations opened in south London following a £1.1 billion project. The first train on the new route departed from Battersea Power Station at 5.28 am. The ticket hall at Nine Elms station (TfL/PA) It called at the other new … [Read more...] about London Underground Northern Line extension to Nine Elms and Battersea opens to great fanfare
The Tube: New stations added to Tube map in major network expansion to Battersea Power Station
Transport for London (TfL) has unveiled a new Tube map showing the first major expansion of the network this century. The map features the two new stations making up the Northern line extension in south London. Trains will begin serving Nine Elms, and Battersea Power Station from around 5.30 am on Monday. The ticket hall at Nine Elms station (TfL/PA) It is the … [Read more...] about The Tube: New stations added to Tube map in major network expansion to Battersea Power Station
London street and railway sign collection goes up for rare auction
More than 400 distinctive railway and street signs from two collections are expected to sell for thousands of pounds when they go under the hammer. The JS Collection of Railwayana was one man’s lifelong passion and focuses on rare signs from the earlier part of the 20th century. Comprising 200 lots, the collection ranges from a large tube station platform sign which shows … [Read more...] about London street and railway sign collection goes up for rare auction
Tube News: Opening date revealed for major expansion of Tube network on the Northern Line
The first major expansion of the London Underground this century will open later this month. Tube trains will begin serving Battersea in south London on September 20, Transport for London (TfL) announced. The £1.2 billion extension of the Northern line features two new stations – Nine Elms and Battersea Power Station – which will be within 15 minutes of the West End and … [Read more...] about Tube News: Opening date revealed for major expansion of Tube network on the Northern Line
Tube travel now at 50% of pre-pandemic levels
London Underground usage is regularly reaching at least half of pre-pandemic levels, Transport for London (TfL) said. Demand for the Tube on weekdays is often at 50% of what it was before the coronavirus crisis, and is hitting more than 60% at weekends. This is up from about 40% across the entire week in early May. An average of more than 1.8 million … [Read more...] about Tube travel now at 50% of pre-pandemic levels
Gatwick Airport still planning to bring emergency runway into routine use, increasing capacity
Gatwick is pressing ahead with its plan to bring its emergency runway into regular use despite the collapse in demand caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The UK’s second busiest airport said the work could be completed by 2029 and will align with the Government’s policy of “making best use of existing runways.” It also claimed it would be delivered in a “sustainable way … [Read more...] about Gatwick Airport still planning to bring emergency runway into routine use, increasing capacity
Changing the Guard ceremony returns to Buckingham Palace – Pictures and Video
Changing the Guard has been performed at Buckingham Palace for the first time since the start of the pandemic, with the musical backdrop paying tribute to the success of the Team GB Olympians. The colorful military spectacle – one of the most time-honored traditions at the Queen’s London home – was halted around 18 months ago to avoid attracting huge crowds of tourists … [Read more...] about Changing the Guard ceremony returns to Buckingham Palace – Pictures and Video
A Look at London’s Hotel of Spies – St Ermin’s Hotel – Special Operations Executive (SOE) History and New Display
St Ermin's is a four-star hotel close to the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace. That means it is also close to many government offices and has a history of involvement with the UK intelligence services from WWI to the present day. St Ermin's Hotel History Initially built as a mansion block in 1889, it was always going to be better suited as a hotel as all of the … [Read more...] about A Look at London’s Hotel of Spies – St Ermin’s Hotel – Special Operations Executive (SOE) History and New Display
London Alert: There’s a Possible London Underground Strike Looming Next Week – TFL Warns of Significant Disruption
UPDATE FRIDAY AUGUST 20TH: The strike has been called off. Nothing to see here, move along. Planned strikes by London Underground drivers will cause severe disruption if they go ahead, Transport for London (TfL) has warned. Members of the Rail, Maritime, and Transport (RMT) union are due to walk out for 24 hours from noon on Tuesday, August 24, and Thursday, August 26, … [Read more...] about London Alert: There’s a Possible London Underground Strike Looming Next Week – TFL Warns of Significant Disruption
Tower Bridge in London stuck open after technical failure
Oh dear. Tower Bridge has been left open due to a technical fault, causing traffic problems in central London. I do hope the traffic backups aren't too bad tonight, London. The bridge, one of several over the River Thames that connects central and southern parts of the capital, has been stuck for more than an hour. Images from the scene on Monday afternoon show traffic … [Read more...] about Tower Bridge in London stuck open after technical failure
The London Fiver – Five of the Best Places for Street Food in London
You may be reading this and wondering, “What is street food?” Street food is something ready-to-eat and usually sold by someone from a cart or a stall. It’s different from a food truck in that it’s not necessarily made-to-order and doesn’t rely on or a van (even if the “kitchen” can be broken down and moved to another location). London has its share of street food vendors … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five of the Best Places for Street Food in London
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