Big news in the London Transport realm. Crossrail, aka the Elizabeth Line, London's new east-west underground railway, has had its opening delayed. It was scheduled to start opening in stages in December 2018, but Crossrail (the company building the railway) has confirmed today that they will not meet that target. They have set Autumn 2019 as the tentative open date. From … [Read more...] about Crossrail News: The Elizabeth Line Opening Has Officially Been Delayed
Transport
London Alert: New Import Product LIVE – London Underground LED Lightbox
This week we have something very special. An exclusive officially licensed London Underground LED Lightbox that offers 10 different sign options. This item comes straight from the UK and is not available anywhere else in the USA. Because these have a high import cost, we have to know how many to order in advance and will likely not be getting extras. So, if you want this … [Read more...] about London Alert: New Import Product LIVE – London Underground LED Lightbox
The Tube: A History of the London Underground
The world’s first underground railway, the London Underground was constructed as a response to the city’s rapid growth during the 19th Century. Today, it is the 11th-busiest subway system on the planet with 1.379 billion passengers using it from 2016-2017. Its tunnels stretch for 249 miles throughout London, often overlapping and giving passengers plenty of options for … [Read more...] about The Tube: A History of the London Underground
London Getting a New Road Tunnel Under the Thames in Greenwich By 2023
Today in London infrastructure news, London is getting a new road tunnel in Greenwich. The Silvertown Tunnel will link the Royal Docks north of the river with the Greenwich Peninsula in the south. It is hoped that the new tunnel will reduce congestion in the Blackwell Tunnel. As any traveler who's been stuck in traffic for 20 minutes getting through that tunnel can confess, … [Read more...] about London Getting a New Road Tunnel Under the Thames in Greenwich By 2023
Tube of the Imagination: A Guide to Fictional Underground Stations
It’s a common practice in literature and media to create fake places for your stories. Maybe the real ones aren’t available or are poorly suited to your movie or show. Perhaps no real place exists that can meet the needs of your story, yet you want everything to be grounded in reality. Being a major world city, London has been subjected to numerous fictional locales in … [Read more...] about Tube of the Imagination: A Guide to Fictional Underground Stations
Laura’s London: Go Yonda Car Tours of London – A Cool New Self-Driving Tour of London
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
Introducing the New Londontopia Print Magazine – Order Your Copy Now – Quantities Very Limited
We've been working on this in secret and now we're ready for the big reveal. Introducing The Londontopia Print Magazine. Did you know that there isn’t a magazine on the US market dedicated completely to London? We thought this was odd, so now that we’ve got two years of magazine experience under our belts with the Anglotopia Magazine, today we’re launching a dedicated London … [Read more...] about Introducing the New Londontopia Print Magazine – Order Your Copy Now – Quantities Very Limited
The Tube: Transport for London Reveals Fares for the Upcoming Elizabeth Line
Crossrail is coming. In fact, trains will start running on the new 'Elizabeth Line' from December with the entire new Tube Line opening in 2019 (it's been a project 30 years in the planning, see this article for more information). One big question that's been up in the air, however, is what fares would be like? Would they be integrated into the current Tube Network and pay Tube … [Read more...] about The Tube: Transport for London Reveals Fares for the Upcoming Elizabeth Line
London’s Railway Bathrooms To Become Free From 2019
Time to update all the guidebooks. A big change is coming to London's railways later this year (and Britain's). You may have noticed that when you're caught short in London's mainline railway stations that they charge for the privilege of using the public toilets. As an American, this has always struck me as odd. There are rarely any paid public bathrooms here. You never … [Read more...] about London’s Railway Bathrooms To Become Free From 2019
We Need Your Help – Vote On New Column Series – Along the Lines – Exploring London’s Tube Lines
Very soon we're going to start a new article series here on Londontopia. We're tentatively calling it 'Along the Lines' and the concept is simple: every time we're in London, we're going to pick a Tube line and spend the day exploring the entire line, from beginning to end. We plan to visit famous places but also study the architecture and heritage along the line that might … [Read more...] about We Need Your Help – Vote On New Column Series – Along the Lines – Exploring London’s Tube Lines
London Alert: Buy The Official London Underground Tube Map – Anglotopia Exclusive
Due to two deaths in the family this week, we don't have a full Anglotopia Imports Product launch this week. We will next week, though. Instead, we've launched a single product that we think Anglotopia readers are going to snatch up - we've imported the official London Underground Tube Map Poster. We've ordered 50 and they should be arriving next week. It measures 25x35 and … [Read more...] about London Alert: Buy The Official London Underground Tube Map – Anglotopia Exclusive
From April 4th You’ll Be Able to Travel Direct from London to Amsterdam via Eurostar
Big news in London Transport, it's been a long time coming but from April you'll finally be able to travel directly from London's St Pancras right to the heart of Amsterdam. The direct journey will take just 3 hours and 41 minutes via the Channel Tunnel. According to the BBC: Channel Tunnel train service Eurostar is launching a new service between London and Amsterdam. … [Read more...] about From April 4th You’ll Be Able to Travel Direct from London to Amsterdam via Eurostar
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
Video: The Basics of Crossrail – London’s New Underground Line
Crossrail, also known as the Elizabeth Line, is coming and the folks over at Londonist have put together a great video that summarizes the new line and lays out the new dates when it will be running. This Tube geek can't wait to give it a test! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MipJnrRyiCE … [Read more...] about Video: The Basics of Crossrail – London’s New Underground Line
London Transport Museum Gets Two Major New Galleries in 2018
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
Great London Buildings – King’s Cross Railway Station
Known to most people outside London as the home of Harry Potter's Platform 9 3/4, King's Cross Station is a historic railway station in the heart of the city. The southern terminus of the East Coast Main Line that runs up to North East England and terminates in Scotland. Long before being known as the hub for railway transport, the King's Cross area was known for a different … [Read more...] about Great London Buildings – King’s Cross Railway Station
Laura’s London: Exploring London’s Newest Museum – The Secret Mail Rail and The Postal Museum
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
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
Event Alert: Rare Chance to Ride Old London Underground Steam Trains This July and September
The London Transport Museum is offering up a rare chance to ride on old London Underground Stram trains this July and September. Here are the details: Step back in time and enjoy the nostalgia of travel in bygone times during London Transport Museum’s Summer Steam events at Epping Ongar Heritage Railway in July and in Metro-Land – the early 20th century suburban idyll – in … [Read more...] about Event Alert: Rare Chance to Ride Old London Underground Steam Trains This July and September
London Art: St Pancras Gets Beautiful New Art Installation – The Interpretation of Movement
One of the coolest things to happen since St Pancras Station was refurbished a few years ago was that they regularly have new art installations. They've just unveiled the latest one called The Interpretation of Movement (a 9:8 in blue). About the work: The Interpretation of Movement (a 9:8 in blue), 2017, will be Conrad Shawcross’ largest mechanical work to date, stretching … [Read more...] about London Art: St Pancras Gets Beautiful New Art Installation – The Interpretation of Movement
Riding in Black Taxis: A Personal History of a London Icon – London Long Read
In most major cities, taxis don’t really get much love or affection - that’s why the phone app Uber is so popular now. But then most cities aren’t like London—a city that loves its iconic black taxis and appreciates the work it takes to learn The Knowledge (the name for the training all London Cabbies go through). I’ve been riding in London taxis for more than 15 years, and … [Read more...] about Riding in Black Taxis: A Personal History of a London Icon – London Long Read
London Icon: A History of Harry Beck’s Iconic Tube Map
KEY FACTS Designed by Harry Beck in 1932 Set a style for transport maps around the world As instantly recognisable as the Union Jack Beck received little credit for his work during his lifetime London’s history is filled with historical figures who were just doing a job or once had an idea that turned into something bigger than they ever intended. Henry C … [Read more...] about London Icon: A History of Harry Beck’s Iconic Tube Map
London Under: Thames Tunnels and Their Amazing Histories
With all the tunnels under the River Thames, it might seem strange to think that it was once a nearly impossible feat of engineering. By the beginning of the 19th Century, the need to move cargo was becoming more important for Britain's economy and London’s bridges were too cramped with carriage and pedestrian traffic to expect to move that cargo quickly. The solution was … [Read more...] about London Under: Thames Tunnels and Their Amazing Histories
Heathrow Airport Makes Their First Christmas Advert and It’s Adorable -Coming Home for Christmas – Video
While I'm a little mystified as to why Heathrow feels the need to advertise as most people don't have a choice in whether or not they use the airport, I'm glad they have. They've made a lovely and adorable Christmas advert about two bears coming home for Christmas. Who's cutting onions in here?!?!? Watch it below. … [Read more...] about Heathrow Airport Makes Their First Christmas Advert and It’s Adorable -Coming Home for Christmas – Video
The Tube: The Long Awaited Night Tube is Here
One of the biggest bugbears for travelers and commuters alike is that the Tube closes every night (usually at midnight) and doesn't re-open until early in the morning. This is a lesson most travelers learn at 4:30am in the morning when they're trying to get somewhere in London only to find the Tube closed (happened to us). The Night Tube was announced years ago and it is … [Read more...] about The Tube: The Long Awaited Night Tube is Here
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!
