The National Portrait Gallery is often lost in the museum shuffle in London, mostly because it's located behind the National Gallery, so it's often an afterthought for tourists. And frankly, if you're walking from Trafalgar Square to Leicester Square or Covent Garden, it's easy to walk right past it and not know that it's there. They aim to change that with a major renovation … [Read more...] about London Alert: The National Portrait Gallery to Close for Three Years for Major Refurbishment
London Alerts
London Alert: St Paul’s Cathedral Has Lifted Its Ban on Photography (with come caveats)!
Great news for photographers and visitors to St Paul's Cathedral in London. They have ended their ban on photography within the cathedral. This is wonderful news. Many people flouted the ban anyway (and if you did, you would get a telling off, as I did 15 years ago). Now, the Cathedral has decided to let everyone take pictures of this truly wonderful architectural jewel. They … [Read more...] about London Alert: St Paul’s Cathedral Has Lifted Its Ban on Photography (with come caveats)!
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
London Alert: London’s Classic Routemaster Bus Heritage Routes To Stop Running on Weekdays
The Routemaster is an icon of London (see our article on its history here). Our image of London is so suffused with it, that even though the bus was long ago taken out of regular service, it still serves that purpose. Several buses are kept in good order and operated on Heritage Routes through central London for tourists to still enjoy. Seeing a Routemaster on the roads, with … [Read more...] about London Alert: London’s Classic Routemaster Bus Heritage Routes To Stop Running on Weekdays
London Alert: The Painted Hall in Greenwich to Re-Open in March After Multi-year Restoration
Great news! After being closed for almost two years and undergoing at £3 million restoration, The Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich will be re-opening to visitors! This place is sometimes referred to as the UK's 'Sistine Chapel' and it's an incredible sight to see in person. If you've been the Greenwich the last few years, you may have been … [Read more...] about London Alert: The Painted Hall in Greenwich to Re-Open in March After Multi-year Restoration
London Alert: The Annual Black Friday-Cyber Monday Sale is ON! Huge Discounts! Details Inside!
Hey Everyone! Just a quick post to let everyone know that our annual Black Friday to Cyber Monday Sale is now ON in the Anglotopia Store. We have huge discounts on maps, magazines, books, subscriptions and more! The sale ends on Monday and if we run out of stock on anything, that's it! We have tons of great fits for the Anglophile in your life. Don't miss out. We would urge you … [Read more...] about London Alert: The Annual Black Friday-Cyber Monday Sale is ON! Huge Discounts! Details Inside!
Ian McKellan To Go On Tour For His 80th Birthday – Tolkien, Shakespeare, others
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
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!
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
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
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
London Alert: The Courtauld Gallery is Closing for 2 Years – Visit by September!
It's pretty common for London's museums to be variously closed while renovations are done. Next up is the Courtauld Gallery, the art gallery located in Somerset House. This small gallery is often overshadowed by the bigger National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery, practically across the street but it's home to some amazing art. As with most museums in London, the building … [Read more...] about London Alert: The Courtauld Gallery is Closing for 2 Years – Visit by September!
Travel Alert: Reminder – Big Ben is Still Covered in Scaffolding and Will Ruin Your Tourist Pictures Until 2021
I was reading the Sunday Times yesterday, as one does, and came across an amusing article that then made me irritated. Apparently, there are lots of people who still don’t know that Big Ben/Elizabeth is covered in scaffolding right now and will remain so until at least 2021. As a result, tourists are leaving negative reviews on TripAdvisor, complaining that their dream trips … [Read more...] about Travel Alert: Reminder – Big Ben is Still Covered in Scaffolding and Will Ruin Your Tourist Pictures Until 2021
Guest Post: Ten Amazing Secret Locations to Discover in London!
Editor's Note: This guest post was written by Matt and Jess, guides from Fun London Tours. They've been an advertiser on Londontopia for several years and runs some great tours on offer for visitors to London. Vist their website here and use coupon code: TOPIA20 to save 20% off your tour! By Fun London Tours If you're keen to discover a hidden side of London, then check … [Read more...] about Guest Post: Ten Amazing Secret Locations to Discover in London!
London Alert: Next Schedule of Hidden London Tours Revealed – Tickets Go On Sale April 6th
Hidden London tours are some of our favorites. We've been on two - in fact planned two trips around them. They're an excellent opportunity to explore bits of London that are normally closed off to visitors. You can read about one of our tours here. I received an email this morning outlining the next schedule of tours. Here are the details: From Churchill’s secret disused … [Read more...] about London Alert: Next Schedule of Hidden London Tours Revealed – Tickets Go On Sale April 6th
Event Alert: Visit the London Transport Museum’s Acton Depot – Open Weekend in April
The London Transport Museum is one of our favorites in London, but the museum in Covent Garden is but a sliver of their entire collection. They store the whole collection in the Acton Depot, and occasionally it's opened to the public. LTM has notified us that this year's open weekend will take place on April 21st and 22nd. Fancy a potter about their massive collection and … [Read more...] about Event Alert: Visit the London Transport Museum’s Acton Depot – Open Weekend in April
Theatre Alert: Ian McKellan’s King Lear Coming to the West End for Just 100 Performances – Booking Now Open
Big news today in the London theater world. A production of King Lear starring Ian McKellan that started out in Chichester is coming to the West End. This will be a great chance to see McKellan in a major role in London Theatre. Here are the details released today: ATG Productions, Chichester Festival Theatre, Gavin Kalin Productions and Glass Half Full Productions are … [Read more...] about Theatre Alert: Ian McKellan’s King Lear Coming to the West End for Just 100 Performances – Booking Now Open
London Alert: Hidden London Tours Bookings Open Next Week! Exploring Tunnels, Bomb Shelters and More!
We've been on several Hidden London Tours and they're a great way to experience London in a unique way. We've done tours of two abandoned Tube Stations and I considered them highlights amongst all my travel to London. The thing is, they're hard to get tickets for because they're so popular. You can read about our tour of Aldwych here. So, Hidden London sent out an email … [Read more...] about London Alert: Hidden London Tours Bookings Open Next Week! Exploring Tunnels, Bomb Shelters and More!
London Alert: The Iconic Lights in Piccadilly Circus Have Been Turned Back On!
We reported earlier this year that the iconic billboards in Piccadilly Circus were being switched off for refurbishment. Many Londonphiles were very disappointed to hear this as it meant that tons of tourist photos would be ruined by scaffolding and hoardings. This was the longest stretch of time the lights were turned off since The War. Well, fear not! The renovations are … [Read more...] about London Alert: The Iconic Lights in Piccadilly Circus Have Been Turned Back On!
London Alert: Christmas Events at the London Transport Museum
The London Transport Museum is one of our favorite museums in London and they're getting into the holiday spirit this year with a ton of Christmas related events. Here are the details: All aboard for Festive Fun at London Transport Museum from 1 December 2017 until5 January 2018. Families can visit Santa’s Secret Hideaway or track him down in one of the Museum’s historic … [Read more...] about London Alert: Christmas Events at the London Transport Museum
London Closure Notice: Ripley’s Believe It or Not in Piccadilly Circus Has Closed Permanently
This news came a little too late for us to include in the 2018 London Annual, but Ripley's Believe it or Not in Piccadilly Circus has closed permanently. Though a note on their website says they are looking to relocate the collection. I've never been a fan of this attraction, it was showing it's age and made it onto our list of tourist traps to avoid. Their website has … [Read more...] about London Closure Notice: Ripley’s Believe It or Not in Piccadilly Circus Has Closed Permanently
London Alert: London Duck Tours Are Ending!
Sad news for the London Tourist scene, London Duck Tours are ending. You've undoubtedly seen their iconic yellow D-day landing craft flitting through the streets of London at some point. They've had issues in recent years but the final nail in the coffin appears to be an important infrastructure project. From their website today: We are sorry to advise that Thames Water has … [Read more...] about London Alert: London Duck Tours Are Ending!
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!
