Here’s our list of handy Tube Tips for making the best use of London’s Underground. These tips, learned from twenty years of travel in London, will turn you into a Tube pro in no time! This list originally appeared in London Tube 101: History, Culture, and Travel on London’s Transport Network, available from the Anglotopia shop or from booksellers everywhere. … [Read more...] about London Underground: Our 25 Top Tube Usage Tips for London Travelers
Travel
The Fiver – Five American-style Diners in London
There’s something comforting about a diner. You walk into any greasy spoon in the United States, and you know there’s going to be coffee, burgers, breakfast at all hours, and—most importantly—good company. The diner is probably the most American of restaurant concepts, and like a lot of popular American culinary experiences, it has found its way to the heart of the United … [Read more...] about The Fiver – Five American-style Diners in London
10 Interesting Facts and Figures about Oxford Street
London is a city full of history, culture, and entertainment. One of the most famous places in London is Oxford Street, which is known for its world-class shopping and vibrant atmosphere. Whether you are a local or a tourist, Oxford Street is a must-visit destination. In this article, we will explore ten interesting facts and figures about Oxford Street that will make your … [Read more...] about 10 Interesting Facts and Figures about Oxford Street
Tube History: A Brief History of the Victoria Line
It might be hard to believe, but the Underground line, named after the United Kingdom’s second-longest serving monarch, is actually one of the babies when it comes to the Tube. It’s also one of the only Tube lines to have just one extension. Running from Brixton in South London to Walthamstow Central in the northeast of the city, the Victoria Line first opened in 1968, but … [Read more...] about Tube History: A Brief History of the Victoria Line
The Fiver: Five of the Most Expensive Restaurants in London
Having just booked some dining reservations for my upcoming birthday, food can be pretty expensive if you go to a fancy restaurant. As the capital of the United Kingdom and a pretty fashionable city in its own right, London has dozens of restaurants that can really take the money out of your bank account. However, such fine dining can be a once-in-a-lifetime … [Read more...] about The Fiver: Five of the Most Expensive Restaurants in London
Top London Transport YouTubers To Subscribe To
Transport YouTube is one of the most popular subjects on the video streaming website. There are several notable Tube YouTubers who cover the London Underground, some in excruciating but fascinating detail. Here are a few of the ones I subscribe to and watch regularly, with examples of their videos. Geoff Marshall Basically the God of all things London Transport, he … [Read more...] about Top London Transport YouTubers To Subscribe To
10 Interesting Facts about the Bakerloo Line
If I had to pick a London Underground line with the most ‘Londony’ name, it would be the Bakerloo line (a portmanteau of Baker Street and Waterloo Railway). Here are a few interesting facts and figures about this famous Tube line. The Brown Line Printed in brown on the Tube map, it serves 25 stations, 15 of which are underground, over 14.4 miles (23.2 km). It runs partly … [Read more...] about 10 Interesting Facts about the Bakerloo Line
The Fiver: Five Great Places to Exercise in London While Traveling
Staying fit can be a bit of a challenge when you’re away from home. You could, of course, use a hotel gym, but those can be a little disappointing and don’t really let you get out and see the local color. London has many great places to exercise from parks with trails and exercise equipment to gyms that have single-pay classes or deals for visitors. We’ve managed to nail … [Read more...] about The Fiver: Five Great Places to Exercise in London While Traveling
A Brief History of the London Overground
A very recent addition to Transport for London, the London Overground isn’t a Bizarro-mirror-universe copy of the London Underground. However, it is very much what it says on the tin and where the Underground is a below-ground rail system, the Overground is more of a metropolitan train service. The Overground is what is known as a suburban rail network that carries residents … [Read more...] about A Brief History of the London Overground
Ten Interesting Facts about the District Line
Running from the east in Upminster to Earl’s Court in the west, the District Line forms one of the oldest London Underground lines in the service’s history. The idea when the line began was that it would connect all of London’s railway termini. Starting off as a separate underground railway, it was integrated with the other underground railways into the London Underground in … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts about the District Line
10 Interesting Facts About the Waterloo and City Line
The shortest Tube Line, the Waterloo and City Line connects just two stations, but provides a key traffic pattern for commuters to the City of London from London’s suburbs in southwest London, Surrey, and Hampshire. Here are a few interesting facts about it. THE SHORTEST It’s the shortest Tube line at just 1.47 miles or 2.37 kilometers. THE DRAIN Its nickname with … [Read more...] about 10 Interesting Facts About the Waterloo and City Line
The Tube: 10 Interesting Facts about the Circle Line
The Circle Line is one of London’s oldest Tube Lines, but it also gets easily confused with the District Line, with which it shares a lot of track. But this unique line has long served central London and is a great way to get around for tourists. Here are a few interesting facts about the Circle Line. Not Deep The tunnels for the Circle line are not ‘deep-level’ tunnels … [Read more...] about The Tube: 10 Interesting Facts about the Circle Line
Passengers can now travel directly from Essex to Heathrow on Elizabeth line
Passengers can now travel directly from Essex to Heathrow airport as part of changes to London’s Elizabeth line. Updates to the line’s timetable mean trains will run from Shenfield in Essex, through east London to Heathrow Terminal 5 all day. The airport will now receive six Elizabeth line trains per hour. The new timetable also means trains will now run roughly every … [Read more...] about Passengers can now travel directly from Essex to Heathrow on Elizabeth line
Four London landmarks to join Big Ben in lighting up for the King’s coronation
Four London landmarks have been announced as additions to the list of buildings which will light up across the nation to mark the King’s coronation. Tower Bridge, London Bridge, Guildhall and Mansion House will be illuminated in red, white and blue to mark the crowning of the King and the Queen Consort this weekend. The colourful displays will take place on Saturday … [Read more...] about Four London landmarks to join Big Ben in lighting up for the King’s coronation
Coronation benches designed by children to be at Tower of London all summer
Coronation benches designed by schoolchildren across the UK will be at the Tower of London throughout the summer. The 14 illustrated benches reflect the values and symbols that young people wish to define this new era, Historic Royal Palaces said. Schoolchildren across the country were tasked with designing their own illustrated benches, exploring their hopes for the … [Read more...] about Coronation benches designed by children to be at Tower of London all summer
HMV to reopen historic Oxford Street store
HMV is to reopen its historic Oxford Street store later this year after a four-year absence. The music retailer shut the flagship store in 2019 after tumbling into administration before a rescue takeover by Canadian Doug Putman’s Sunrise Records. The site, where HMV opened its first shop in 1921, has been operating as an American sweet shop since the closure. It is … [Read more...] about HMV to reopen historic Oxford Street store
Horse-drawn carriage available to book on Uber in London ahead of coronation
Royal fans can get into the coronation spirit by booking an Uber ride with a difference – a horse-drawn carriage that resembles the King’s mode of transport on the day he is crowned. The coronation carriage will be in operation from May 3 to May 5 at Dulwich Park in south London and slots will be available to book via the Uber app. Each of the four white horses pulling … [Read more...] about Horse-drawn carriage available to book on Uber in London ahead of coronation
Queen Consort waxwork unveiled at Madame Tussauds London
A waxwork of the Queen Consort has been unveiled at Madame Tussauds London ahead of the coronation in May. Styled in a dark blue gown, the statue will stand alongside Charles, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the late Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh in the Throne Room. Designer Anna Valentine recreated the outfit she designed for Camilla’s attendance at the Diplomatic … [Read more...] about Queen Consort waxwork unveiled at Madame Tussauds London
Crown Jewels to be projected on to Tower of London to tell story of coronations
The Crown Jewels will be projected on to the Tower of London before touring UK landmarks under plans to tell the story of coronations to thousands of people. The jewels will be projected on to the famous London landmark in autumn before touring the length and breadth of the country. The Crown and Coronation display, produced by Historic Royal Palaces and Luxmuralis, aims … [Read more...] about Crown Jewels to be projected on to Tower of London to tell story of coronations
More than 200 looks to feature in V&A exhibition on Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel
More than 200 Chanel looks will be seen together for the first time in the Victoria and Albert Museum’s (V&A) forthcoming exhibition on the work of French fashion designer Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel. Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto will unfold over 10 sections, charting the evolution of her design style and the establishment of the House of Chanel, from the opening of … [Read more...] about More than 200 looks to feature in V&A exhibition on Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel
National Portrait Gallery to reopen with exhibition on pioneering color photographer
The National Portrait Gallery is set to reopen with more than two dozen newly discovered works from trailblazing 20th-century British photographer Yevonde. Yevonde: Life And Colour will explore the life and career of Yevonde Middleton, who pioneered the use of color photography in the 1930s, and will run from June 22 to October 15. The exhibition will feature more than 25 … [Read more...] about National Portrait Gallery to reopen with exhibition on pioneering color photographer
London Eye gets spring clean to mark start of the season
One of London’s most distinctive landmarks has had a thorough clean to mark the first day of spring on Monday. Staff braved heights of 135 meters (443ft) to reach the pods on the London Eye in Westminster and ensure the glass on each capsule was washed and polished. The landmark, which first opened in 2000, has 32 capsules each weighing 11 tonnes. A crew of cleaners … [Read more...] about London Eye gets spring clean to mark start of the season
The Ugly Duchess: Beauty and Satire in the Renaissance at the National Gallery
The Ugly Duchess: Beauty and Satire in the Renaissance is a free exhibition at the National Gallery. Open from 16 March to 11 June 2023, it sheds new light on Quinten Massys's An Old Woman (about 1513). Quinten Massys Also known as Metsys, Quinten Massys (1465/6–1530) was born in the university town of Leuven in Belgium. He was documented by 1491 as a master craftsman … [Read more...] about The Ugly Duchess: Beauty and Satire in the Renaissance at the National Gallery
Gatwick returns to profit as air travel bounces back
Gatwick Airport returned to profitability in 2022 amid a bounce-back in air travel as coronavirus rules eased, but said it has “some way to go to reach a full recovery.” The West Sussex airport reported profit after tax of £196.5 million for last year, against total losses of more than £830 million during 2020 and 2021. Gatwick, which is majority owned by France-based … [Read more...] about Gatwick returns to profit as air travel bounces back
Shire horses prepare Tower of London moat for next wildflower display
The Tower of London has employed a pair of shire horses to transform its moat into a permanent haven for wildflowers. Around 20 million seeds were planted in the famous fortress’s moat last year for its first-ever floral display. Now the dark brown and white stallions, named William and Joey, have plowed the ground ahead of this summer’s bloom after being brought over … [Read more...] about Shire horses prepare Tower of London moat for next wildflower display
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!