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
Attractions
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
UK’s largest jellyfish to go on display at Sea Life London Aquarium
Visitors to the Sea Life London Aquarium can view a special display in time for World Jellyfish Day. In a UK first, experts at the aquarium have raised Barrel jellyfish, having bred the species from their juvenile stage as polyps in its specialist breeding laboratory. The mushroom-shaped creatures are the UK’s largest jellyfish, growing up to one metre wide in the … [Read more...] about UK’s largest jellyfish to go on display at Sea Life London Aquarium
Superbloom at The Tower of London – The Return Visit
Superbloom is in the dry moat at the Tower of London. I first visited in late May and there were concerns that it didn't look as lovely as it might in the summer. So I decided to return and see the changes. As a recap, this is a permanent transformation in the 13th-century moat. It was drained in 1845 and it's taken over 175 years for another drastic change. The soil was … [Read more...] about Superbloom at The Tower of London – The Return Visit
Freddie Mercury’s childhood stamp collection to go on display this summer at The Postal Museum
The childhood stamp album of the late Queen singer Freddie Mercury is to go on display at The Postal Museum in London this summer. The 54-page album consists mostly of stamps from the British Commonwealth and showcases his upbringing in Zanzibar, Tanzania, and his artistic passion. It will be on display from July 13 to October 30 as part of the museum’s events to mark 50 … [Read more...] about Freddie Mercury’s childhood stamp collection to go on display this summer at The Postal Museum
Dippy the Dinosaur returns to London’s Natural History Museum
Dippy the Dinosaur has returned to the Natural History Museum as part of a new installation following a four-year tour of the UK. The 85ft-long (26m) plaster cast of a diplodocus skeleton was first put on display in the London museum in 1905. The new installation, Dippy Returns: The Nation’s Favourite Dinosaur, will be on display until January and celebrates the landscapes … [Read more...] about Dippy the Dinosaur returns to London’s Natural History Museum
Good News! Florence Nightingale Museum to reopen on International Nurses’ Day
The director of the Florence Nightingale Museum has said fighting to reopen after the pandemic has been an “emotional roller-coaster”. The London museum celebrating the most famous figure in nursing history will open again on May 12. It marks the 202nd anniversary of her birth and International Nurses’ Day. David Green said it has been a “long and tiring time” … [Read more...] about Good News! Florence Nightingale Museum to reopen on International Nurses’ Day
Platinum Jubilee: Ocean of flowers to fill Tower of London moat as Superbloom field sowing begins
The sowing of more than 20 million seeds in the Tower of London’s moat to create a “Superbloom” meadow has begun. Cornflowers – with their burst of blue when in full flower – have been specifically chosen to hark back to a time when the historic fortress’s trench was filled with water, while the other wildflowers will include red poppies and yellow corn marigolds. With … [Read more...] about Platinum Jubilee: Ocean of flowers to fill Tower of London moat as Superbloom field sowing begins
‘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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
First Look at the Proposed Designs for the new Museum of London
The Museum of London is moving in a few years, in a deal that has long been in the works. They're moving to the abandoned Smithfield Market, which has been derelict for a few years. It's going to be an amazing project that will transform an iconic London landmark and save it from demolition. As they begin the planning application process to get approval for the new museum, the … [Read more...] about First Look at the Proposed Designs for the new Museum of London
Exhibition Alert: Buckingham Palace to Explore the Life of Queen Victoria at Summer Exhibition Opening
Buckingham Palace only opens for a few weeks in the Summer when the Queen is away in Scotland. To coincide with each summer opening, there's usually a special exhibition on show (though seeing the Palace state rooms themselves is worth the price of admission!). This year, the Royal Collection Trust will be exploring Queen Victoria's life at the Palace. This year's summer … [Read more...] about Exhibition Alert: Buckingham Palace to Explore the Life of Queen Victoria at Summer Exhibition Opening
Top 10 London: Ten Places in London for the Perfect Selfie
Simultaneously the most hated thing tourists do but also the most popular thing they actually do. Ever since cell phones got cameras, a self-shot (or “selfie”) photo is the norm for most of us. Whether you want to capture a memory or blow up Instagram while you’re in London, the city certainly has plenty of excellent spots for a selfie. Of course, there are places not to take … [Read more...] about Top 10 London: Ten Places in London for the Perfect Selfie
Laura’s London: Take a First Look at the Beautiful Restored Painted Hall in Greenwich – Re-opening in March!
Editor's Note: We have a real treat this week - Laura was given an exclusive tour of the newly restored Painted Hall in Greenwich before its re-opening so we're chuffed to bits that she's written up a huge report about it. Please consider subscribing to the Londontopia Magazine as it allows us to commission great articles like this. As reported here recently, The Painted … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: Take a First Look at the Beautiful Restored Painted Hall in Greenwich – Re-opening in March!
Harry Potter News: Gringotts Bank Coming to the Harry Potter Studio Tour in April
The Harry Potter Studio Tour is continually changing and updating to make sure they have a steady stream of repeat visitors. Today, they've announced that they'll be opening up Gringotts Bank to visitors. From the press release: For the first time ever at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, visitors are invited to enter the set of Gringotts … [Read more...] about Harry Potter News: Gringotts Bank Coming to the Harry Potter Studio Tour in April
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!
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
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
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