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
London Alerts
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!
London Alert: London Hotel Deal – Stay 5 Nights For the Price of 4 at The Arch London
This came through our inbox and I thought it was worth sharing. The Arch Hotel, a luxury boutique hotel in London, is offering the chance to stay 5 nights for the price of 4. Here are the details: This summer guests can extend their stay in London for free at luxury hotel The Arch London. The five-star boutique hotel is offering guests a complimentary overnight stay with … [Read more...] about London Alert: London Hotel Deal – Stay 5 Nights For the Price of 4 at The Arch London
London Alert: Hidden London Tours Are Back – Explore London’s Abandoned Tube Stations
Last year we explored Aldwych abandoned Tube station on a Hidden London Tour - and wrote about the experience here. Hidden London tours are a unique chance to explore the bits of London that have been closed off to the public. Most of these tours are run on a limited basis and sell out up to a year in advance. Hidden London has just announced their tours for the next year … [Read more...] about London Alert: Hidden London Tours Are Back – Explore London’s Abandoned Tube Stations
London Alert: Tickets to Harry Potter 20th Anniversary Exhibition Go On Sale MONDAY
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the publication of the first Harry Potter book (this makes me feel old as I remember!), the British Library is going to be putting on a special exhibition. As this is Harry Potter we're talking about, expect this to be a very popular exhibition. By very popular, you better buy your tickets as soon as they're available because it will … [Read more...] about London Alert: Tickets to Harry Potter 20th Anniversary Exhibition Go On Sale MONDAY
London Alert: Explore the London Transport Museum Archive at the Acton Depot Open Weekend in April
The London Transport Museum in London has an enormous collection and they couldn't possibly keep it all on display. So, they have a storage depot in Acton. It's not normally open to the public. But on a few days of the year, it's opened for general visitors. Here are the details for this year's opening: A rare opportunity to see inside London Transport Museum’s Depot in … [Read more...] about London Alert: Explore the London Transport Museum Archive at the Acton Depot Open Weekend in April
London Alert: New Chance to Get Tickets for Harry Potter & The Cursed Child Tickets
Get your wands ready! Harry Potter & The Cursed Child has proven to be a big hit in London's West End; that's despite the criticism the story has received from many Harry Potter fans (personally I enjoyed it, more than the movie that came out last weekend). The show is sold out until next year. Tomorrow, fans with quick fingers will have their chance to secure tickets … [Read more...] about London Alert: New Chance to Get Tickets for Harry Potter & The Cursed Child Tickets
London Alert: Explore Hidden London With New Abandoned Tube Station Tours
Earlier this year we were lucky to get a special tour of abandoned Aldwych Tube Station and many people asked us how they could do the same thing. They have since offered more tours but they sold out. Well, the Museum of London just announced MORE tours for next year, so if you're fast this week you can snag tickets. Here are the details for each tour: Euston station: The … [Read more...] about London Alert: Explore Hidden London With New Abandoned Tube Station Tours
London Alert: The Painted Hall in Greenwich is Closing for 6 Months
The Painted Hall, at the Old Royal Naval College, one of the Jewels of Greenwich will be closing for 6 months from Sunday. This is one of the most amazing things you need to see in Greenwich but if you're planning on seeing it for the next 6 months, remove it from your itineraries. Why is it closing? The Old Royal Naval College received funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund … [Read more...] about London Alert: The Painted Hall in Greenwich is Closing for 6 Months
London Alert: Win a Trip to London from Ancestry.com
The folks over at Ancestry.com are offering up the chance to win a free trip to London. Here are the prize details: In total, three (3) Grand Prizes will be awarded – one (1) for each of the Entry Periods. Each Grand Prize Winner (“Winner”), upon the Administrator’s verification of eligibility, will receive a trip for two (2) people to London, United Kingdom (the … [Read more...] about London Alert: Win a Trip to London from Ancestry.com
Event Alert: Watch a Movie in the Moat at the Tower of London in August
For centuries, the moat surrounding the Tower of London was the last thing many unfortunate guests saw as they went to the execution at the bloody tower. This summer, the moat will serve a completely different purpose - an open air cinema. The Luna Cinema, an open-air film-screening event company, revealed they would be partnering with The Tower for the first time this … [Read more...] about Event Alert: Watch a Movie in the Moat at the Tower of London in August
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!
