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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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’ […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Top travel tips for your visit to London From Transport for London
If you’re planning a trip to London, public transport can seem a bit daunting. Check out this great video from Transport for London for handy tips to get around London with ease.
Tube News: The Long Awaited Night Tube to Start in August… Maybe
The big news in London transport news yesterday was that a start date was finally announced for the start of the long awaited Night Tube service. Select Tube Lines will begin running 24 hours a day on the weekends. From the BBC: London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the Central and Victoria lines will start on […]
Great London Buildings: St. Pancras International Railway Station – A Victorian Masterpiece Reborn for the 21st Century
A masterpiece of Victorian architecture, St. Pancras has served the as a gateway from Greater London to the world beyond for nearly 150 years. Grade I listed, its protected status is due not only to its history, but to the magnificent design of William Henry Barlow, who had completed the Cliffton Suspension Bridge after Isambard […]
Tube Love: Top 10 Things I Love About the London Underground
The Tube is another one of those iconic London landmarks that I love to bits. I got to thinking – just what is it about the Tube that I love so much? Here are 10 things I love about the Tube in no particular order. It Goes Everywhere The Tube simply goes everywhere – with […]
London Taxi: A Fascinating Look at the Life of London Taxi Drivers in the 1960’s
We found this gem on YouTube and just had to share it – it’s a look at the life of London Taxi drivers in the 1960’s. Such a fascinating look at London’s past.
Exploring The Tube: 10 Interesting Facts and Figures about the Piccadilly Line You Might Not Know
Opening as the Great Northern, Piccadilly, and Brompton Railway in 1906, it is one of the oldest and busiest lines of the London Underground today. Noted by a dark blue line on the Underground map, it runs from Cockfosters in North London then curving like a backwards-L to Heathrow Airport as well as splitting off […]
London Icon: 10 Interesting Facts and Figures about the Iconic Routemaster You Might Not Know
The Routemaster bus is one of the most iconic parts of London that isn’t fixed to the ground. Like the black cab, it’s immediately identifiable with the city and even today influences the look of new buses that move through London’s streets. Premiering in 1954 and in production until 1968, these incredibly sturdy vehicles outlasted […]
London’s Other Airport: 10 Interesting Facts and Figures about Gatwick Airport
It feels like Heathrow gets all the attention, but London’s Gatwick Airport certainly has its own prestige. Existing first as an aerodrome in the 1920s, the Air Ministry approved Gatwick for commercial flights in 1933 and the first terminal was built in 1935. From these humble beginnings, Gatwick has built itself up into a major […]
Night Tube: Transport for London Reveals New Night Tube Map for the Upcoming 24 Hour Tube
One of the big changes happening in London transport this year is that the London Underground will be going 24 hours on select lines starting in September. Anyone who has been caught out at 1am looking to get into a Tube Station will understand what a big deal this is. Well, Transport for London have […]
Tower Bridge: three-month road closure planned for late 2016 [12 June 2015]
![Tower Bridge: three-month road closure planned for late 2016 [12 June 2015]](https://londontopia.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/1434121890_94.119.120.201.jpg)
This is a little far off to worry about at this stage – but many people might be planning trips for when this will happen so we thought we should let you know. Tower Bridge will be closing for 3 months at the end of 2016 for the Victorian Bascules (that lift the bridge) to […]
Crossrail Tunnelling Completed: Drone’s eye view of Crossrail’s completed rail tunnels – Video
Check out this amazing drone footage through the new tunnels of London’s new Crossrail Tube Lines. Very cool stuff! About the video: The Prime Minister and Mayor of London Boris Johnson celebrated the completion of Crossrail’s tunnels by going 40 metres below the capital to thank the men and women who are constructing the new […]
King’s Cross: 10 Interesting Facts and Figures about King’s Cross Station
Perhaps the most important terminus in the city, London’s King’s Cross Station opened in 1852 as part of the Great Northern Railways and the terminus of the East Coast Main Line. Designed by Lewis Cubitt and built by George Turnbull, it is a gorgeous example of Victorian architecture and how subsequent renovations seamlessly blend this […]
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