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Laura’s London: Four New Permanent Galleries at the National Maritime Museum – Here’s Our First Look!

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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!

Laura’s London: A Look at the Courtauld Impressionists at The National Gallery – From Manet to Cézanne

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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

Event Alert: Travel on a 1930’s Tube Train on the London Underground

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If I was in London on Sunday, September 9th, I would be doing this. The London Transport Museum is providing a rare opportunity to travel along the London Underground on a 1930's stock Tube train. Here are the event details: Step back in time with London Transport Museum’s art deco heritage train trips, and enjoy a journey reminiscent of the 1930s in Metro-land, when the … [Read more...] about Event Alert: Travel on a 1930’s Tube Train on the London Underground

Laura’s London: Go Yonda Car Tours of London – A Cool New Self-Driving Tour of London

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Yonda – with the slogan 'go Yonda' – is London's only self-drive sightseeing experience. The cars are small Smart cars (two and four-seaters available) installed with an easy-to-follow virtual guide that helps customers navigate London's streets while seeing the sights. Smart Cars The two-seater Smart cars are convertible (so you can really get closer to London weather!) … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: Go Yonda Car Tours of London – A Cool New Self-Driving Tour of London

London Transport Museum Gets Two Major New Galleries in 2018

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The London Transport Museum is one of our favorites in London and now we have another excuse to visit again. They're opening two major new galleries in 2018. First up is Digging Deeper, opening March 23rd, a new permanent gallery dedicated to London's tunneling history from Brunel to Crossrail. Second is the Future Engineers Gallery, opening July 13th,  and it will be geared … [Read more...] about London Transport Museum Gets Two Major New Galleries in 2018

The London Fiver – Five of the Best Rooftop Gardens in London for Relaxation

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Finding green space in a city can be difficult, as we’ve noted in other articles.  While it may seem like a new fad, the concept of growing plants on top of a building has been around for thousands of years, with some of the earliest examples found in Mesopotamia and the Roman Empire.  Today, roof gardens offer many benefits to urban residents, adding an attractive gathering … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five of the Best Rooftop Gardens in London for Relaxation

Laura’s London: Exploring London’s Newest Museum – The Secret Mail Rail and The Postal Museum

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Mail Rail is London's newest subterranean heritage attraction. Open from 4 September 2017; the disused postal railway tunnels have been brought back to life as a visitor ride for the first time in their 100 year history. This miniature railway was the world's first driverless, electric railway and was never intended for passengers. While The Postal Museum opened on 28 … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: Exploring London’s Newest Museum – The Secret Mail Rail and The Postal Museum

Top 10 Gardens in London for a Respite On Your Next Trip

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Sometimes in the middle of the city, you need to get away and find some peace and quiet.  That can seem difficult in an urban environment, but London is peppered with gardens where respite can be had.  Not all of them are huge sprawling greenspaces, some are like small islands in the concrete jungle.  When you need a moment while visiting London, we hope you will consider one … [Read more...] about Top 10 Gardens in London for a Respite On Your Next Trip

Get a Glimpse of Christmas Past at the Geffrye Museum

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This looks like a very fun exhibition - going to have to check it out when I'm in London next year for Christmas. Here are the details: Each year, authentic festive decorations, lighting, music and greenery transform the Geffrye Museum’s period living rooms, giving visitors an evocative insight into how Christmas has been celebrated from 1600 to the present … [Read more...] about Get a Glimpse of Christmas Past at the Geffrye Museum

London’s Newest Free Museum: Charterhouse – Former Monastery in the City of London Opening to the Public in December

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London is getting a brand new museum in a place that is centuries old. Located in the heart of the City of London, Charterhouse is a former monastery that was turned into an alms house. Here are some more details on the history: Hidden away in the heart of Smithfields is an unknown tourist gem, which covers 660 climactic years of London history, including plague pits, a … [Read more...] about London’s Newest Free Museum: Charterhouse – Former Monastery in the City of London Opening to the Public in December

Ten Interesting Facts and Figures about ZSL London Zoo

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Everyone loves to go to the zoo and see animals we only read about in books or see in a David Attenborough-narrated documentary.  The London Zoo is one of the standard-bearers for what a zoo should be.  Located on the edge of Regent's Park, it has been managed by the Zoological Society of London since the zoo's establishment in 1828.  But what lies inside the zoo and its … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts and Figures about ZSL London Zoo

Guest Long Read: Top 10 Things to do in London with Teens and Tweens

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If you are planning to visit London with older children, you might wonder where to begin. What sort of activities would appeal to teenagers and leave a lasting impression? While that might depend on your particular tastes, here is a somewhat diverse list of memorable activities that my teenagers and those in my extended family would recommend to others. 1) The Harry Potter … [Read more...] about Guest Long Read: Top 10 Things to do in London with Teens and Tweens

Laura’s London: Laura Gets an Exclusive Early Look at the New Late Turner Tate Britain Exhibition

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This is the first major exhibition to survey the achievements of JMW Turner (1775-1851) during his final period (1835-50) when he was 60 to 75 years old. The exhibition reassesses Turner's extraordinary body of work during this period which often received open and hostile criticism. 60 years old was considered the time marker for the onset of senility. We have to remember … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: Laura Gets an Exclusive Early Look at the New Late Turner Tate Britain Exhibition

Event Alert: Explore London’s Private Gardens and Squares during Open Garden Squares Weekend

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If you're going to be in London the first week of June, you're in for a treat. London has many private gardens and squares that are closed off to the public. One weekend a year, they're opened up for the public to explore in Open Garden Squares Weekend. Here are the details: Open Garden Squares Weekend Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 June 2013, London, United Kingdom Over 200 … [Read more...] about Event Alert: Explore London’s Private Gardens and Squares during Open Garden Squares Weekend

The 5 Best Picnic Spots in London

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With warmer weather underway (hopefully), soon you’ll have the perfect excuse to pack your picnic basket and spend some time with your friends, family or that special someone in one of London’s open spaces. Whether you’re tucking into your treats next to the Thames or overlooking the city’s skyline, there are plenty of scenic spots throughout the capital that provide all the … [Read more...] about The 5 Best Picnic Spots in London

A Guide to Helicopter Tours Over London

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Riding in a helicopter over the historic sites of London allows you to get a truly fresh perspective on the capital and experience something you will be talking about for many years to come. It is not just the rush and thrill of being in a helicopter itself that makes this such a fantastic experience. Nor is it simply the fact you can pack in a couple of days of ordinary … [Read more...] about A Guide to Helicopter Tours Over London

Warhol comes to south London at the Dulwich Gallery

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America’s master of Pop Art silk-screen technique is to be showcased in an exhibition at England’s oldest gallery this summer. Andy Warhol: The Portfolios, opening in June at the Dulwich Picture Gallery, will be the first European showing of Warhol works from the Bank of America Collection. It will include 80 works from 13 portfolios from the early 1960s through to the … [Read more...] about Warhol comes to south London at the Dulwich Gallery

New Olympic exhibition opens at the Household Cavalry Museum, Horse Guards Parade

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The Household Cavalry Museum adds to the capital’s ever-increasing Olympic excitement with an Olympic themed exhibition celebrating the achievements of members of the Household Cavalry Regiment who have competed in the Olympic Games since 1908. The exhibition is open from 29 March until mid-June, when the museum will close to allow Horse Guard’s Parade to play host to the … [Read more...] about New Olympic exhibition opens at the Household Cavalry Museum, Horse Guards Parade

Top 10 Unique London Attractions off the Tourist Track

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London is a place of many oddities if you know where to look. If you're after the unusual and outlandish, avoid the usual throng of camera-clickers and check out the capital's best kept odd secrets. Here is our round-up of the 10 strange London attractions to visit instead of regular sites. The Old Operating Theatre Ever wondered how doctors performed surgeries in days of … [Read more...] about Top 10 Unique London Attractions off the Tourist Track

The Science Museum celebrates everyday things

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Hidden Heroes – The Genius of Everyday Things is a new exhibition opening in London’s Science Museum in November.  The exhibition celebrates the everyday items that we take for granted because their design and purpose are so well matched. Visitors will be able to see original sketches and drawings by the inventors of 36 items. The inventions celebrated include the tin can, … [Read more...] about The Science Museum celebrates everyday things

Art: Hockney’s Yorkshire comes to London

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The Royal Academy of Arts in London will hold the first major exhibition of new landscape works by David Hockney in January next year. David Hockney: A Bigger Picture will include large paintings created specially for the Royal Academy’s galleries and inspired by the East Yorkshire landscape in the north of England. There will also be a display of Hockney’s iPad … [Read more...] about Art: Hockney’s Yorkshire comes to London

Guest Post: Best Summer Festivals in London

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Guest Post by Cara Frost-Sharratt  As the sun starts to shine with more regularity, it’s time to turn your attention to the great variety of outdoor events that are held all over London throughout the summer. From boutique music festivals to cultural celebrations and food, Londoners and tourists alike revel in the chance to get outside and enjoy the best that the … [Read more...] about Guest Post: Best Summer Festivals in London

Somewhere worth visiting in every London borough from Diamond Geezer

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The always awesome London blogger Diamond Geezer has put together a great list of London attractions worth seeing in every London borough. Here's an excerpt: Barking and Dagenham: Eastbury Manor House [Barking IG11 9SN] (restored Tudor mansion) Barnet: RAF Museum [Colindale NW9 5LL] (military aeronautical treasure house) Brent: Brent Museum [Willesden NW10 2SF] (minor … [Read more...] about Somewhere worth visiting in every London borough from Diamond Geezer

How to Beat London’s Typical Tourist Traps

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  Wondering how on Earth you’re going to make it through a weekend in London, let alone a week? This is a common reaction to this grand, yet expensive city. But do not fret – there are lots of ways you can make trips to the Big Smoke both affordable and interesting. Hostel or Hotel? Choosing your living arrangements can often be quite overwhelming due to the sheer … [Read more...] about How to Beat London’s Typical Tourist Traps

Buckingham Palace Announces 2011 Opening Dates

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©Britainonview / Pawel Libera Many people don't realize that the Queen's official London residence, Buckingham Palace, is not open to the public for most of the year. That said - officials have announced the 2011 opening dates. Buckingham Palace will open in 2011 between August 1st and September 25th. During this period, you can view the State Rooms including the Throne … [Read more...] about Buckingham Palace Announces 2011 Opening Dates

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