diamond geezer
Mourning clothes
I don't wear my mourning clothes very often, thank goodness. A freshly laundered white shirt, a...
8 months ago
I don't wear my mourning clothes very often, thank goodness. A freshly laundered white shirt, a black jacket unwrapped from the dry cleaners (not actually a suit but the forecast was for showers), suitably shiny shoes and a tie in my pocket in case sartorial standards require....
diamond geezer
Random Bexley Footpath
I worry sometimes that my content isn't niche enough. Things to do in Wood End. Roadworks at the Bow...
2 months ago
I worry sometimes that my content isn't niche enough. Things to do in Wood End. Roadworks at the Bow Roundabout. A walk along the Burnt Oak Brook. So today I'm going all-out niche in an attempt to dampen interest even further. Welcome to Random Bexley Footpath.
All Outer London...
Londonist
Quirky Christmas Eats To Sink Your Teeth Into Around London
From mince pie doughnuts to spiced Aperol spritzes.
a year ago
From mince pie doughnuts to spiced Aperol spritzes.
diamond geezer
Lower Lea Valley Bus Review
HYPERLOCAL BUS NEWS: Lower Lea Valley Bus Review
development papers focused on particular...
4 months ago
HYPERLOCAL BUS NEWS: Lower Lea Valley Bus Review
development papers focused on particular geographical areas. A recent set covers the Lower Lea Valley, an area of "historically relatively low trip-generating industrial land progressively transforming into higher trip-generating...
Spoon & Tamago
‘Mirai No Table’ Brings Childcare and Dining Together As One
All images © Atelier Air Flo Nukasawa courtesy of Harema Design Office At the crossroads of...
a year ago
All images © Atelier Air Flo Nukasawa courtesy of Harema Design Office At the crossroads of childcare and dining, ‘Mirai no Table‘ (Table of the Future) is a café conceived from the dual perspectives by Harema Design Office. The café embodies the idea that our food choices shape...
Spoon & Tamago
New Rent-Free Apartments Aspire to Support Budding Manga Artists
a rendering of Manga Apartment VUY, for which occupancy will begin in March 2025 For many years, a...
4 months ago
a rendering of Manga Apartment VUY, for which occupancy will begin in March 2025 For many years, a model has existed in Japan in which subsidized housing supports manga artists who are early in their career and have not yet established an audience. One of the earliest was the...
Londonist
Ayyy! The Fonz Is Coming To London In June
Happy days.
9 months ago
Londonist
Free And Cheap Things To Do This Week In London: 19-25 February 2024
Do cool stuff for under a fiver.
10 months ago
Do cool stuff for under a fiver.
Londonist
Free And Cheap Things To Do This Week In London: 27 November-3 December 2023
Things to do for under a fiver.
a year ago
Things to do for under a fiver.
Londonist
Where To Watch The Six Nations 2024 In London
Watch rugby greats battle it out at these pubs and bars.
11 months ago
Watch rugby greats battle it out at these pubs and bars.
Londonist
Things To Do This Weekend In London: 30 September-1 October 2023
A drag brunch, a mudlarking festival, art markets, Oktoberfest and more.
a year ago
A drag brunch, a mudlarking festival, art markets, Oktoberfest and more.
Londonist
Buck's Fizz: How The Perennially Festive Drink Was Invented In A Mayfair Club
It's over 100 years old.
a year ago
AFAR Media - Travel...
A Local Baker’s Top Picks to Maine’s Best Winter Adventures
4 months ago
AFAR Media - Travel...
Places to Visit in Asheville that Cater to Dogs
11 months ago
diamond geezer
Clandon and Hatchlands
Yesterday I took the train to Surrey to tick off two more National Trust properties.
Cost of...
a year ago
Yesterday I took the train to Surrey to tick off two more National Trust properties.
Cost of off-peak return from Waterloo to Clandon: £14.50
Cost of off-peak return from Wimbledon to Clandon: £8.00 (so maybe do that)
You alight the train a couple of stops before Guildford and...
Londonist
Spotted These Circular Tube Maps Doing The Rounds?
At last! The Circle line makes sense.
10 months ago
At last! The Circle line makes sense.
diamond geezer
Mayday Mayday
London has just two streets called Mayday Something. I've been to both.
Mayday Road Thornton Heath...
7 months ago
London has just two streets called Mayday Something. I've been to both.
Mayday Road Thornton Heath CR7
Saints and Sinners pub (which you can tell closed three years ago because it's still advertising a pint for £2.99). Perhaps dodge the ambulances. And here you'll find Mayday...
Londonist
Best Of Londonist: 9-15 October 2023
The best articles from the past week.
a year ago
The best articles from the past week.
diamond geezer
Algorithmic non-chronological
I'm delighted to announce that diamond geezer now has a new non-chronological algorithm.
From...
10 months ago
I'm delighted to announce that diamond geezer now has a new non-chronological algorithm.
From today an automated algorithm will determine the order in which posts appear in your feed. This algorithm uses various factors to prioritise content with the goal of showing you the...
diamond geezer
The Royal Mail Experiment
Have you ever wondered whether the Royal Mail are failing to deliver your post on time? I've long...
3 months ago
Have you ever wondered whether the Royal Mail are failing to deliver your post on time? I've long thought it suspicious that I go days without post then a whole batch arrives together, and that bills seem to arrive long after they were posted. But without evidence all this is...
Londonist
Visit These 15 Beautiful Castles In Kent
Clifftop fortresses to grand country piles.
9 months ago
Clifftop fortresses to grand country piles.
diamond geezer
Behind The Red Moon
Big Brother isn't the only cultural phenomenon dividing public opinion annually since the turn of...
a year ago
Big Brother isn't the only cultural phenomenon dividing public opinion annually since the turn of the millennium. There's also the giant artwork in the Turbine Hall at Tate Modern, which over the years has been amazing, tedious, thought-provoking, bland, must-see, involving,...
Londonist
Stunning Light Trails And Illumination Festivals To See Near London This Winter
Absolutely enchanting evenings out in south-east England.
a year ago
Absolutely enchanting evenings out in south-east England.
Londonist
Art Of The Brick: New LEGO Show Comes To London In March
90 sculptures, one million bricks.
10 months ago
90 sculptures, one million bricks.
diamond geezer
Mansfield Park
Some buses terminate at the most evocative literary destinations.
K4 to Mansfield Park
Location:...
6 days ago
Some buses terminate at the most evocative literary destinations.
K4 to Mansfield Park
Location: London southwest, outer
Length of bus journey: 7 miles, 45 minutes
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of an Oyster card must be in want of a...
Spoon & Tamago
Forest Crayons Derived Solely From a Different Species of Tree Native to Japan
Forest Crayons are a set of 10 crayons, each with a color derived solely from a different species of...
5 months ago
Forest Crayons are a set of 10 crayons, each with a color derived solely from a different species of tree native to Japan such as cedar, hazenoki and katsura. Designed by Saki Maruyama and Daniel Coppen of Studio Playfool, the crayons manage to repurpose Japan’s otherwise wasted...
Londonist
A Brief History Of Tower Bridge
The history behind London's iconic bridge
a year ago
The history behind London's iconic bridge
Londonist
The Chelsea Flower Show 2024: A Blooming Brief Guide
The world’s greatest flower show returns.
8 months ago
The world’s greatest flower show returns.
Londonist
Things To Do This Weekend In London: 4-5 November 2023
Fireworks displays, a reopened museum, a roller disco -- and more!
a year ago
Fireworks displays, a reopened museum, a roller disco -- and more!
diamond geezer
Three 15-minute posts
Here are the other three submissions to my "Write A Post in 15 minutes" challenge. They have more of...
4 months ago
Here are the other three submissions to my "Write A Post in 15 minutes" challenge. They have more of an out and about theme. The first is from Peter who lives in south Devon, not actually in Honiton but fairly close. The second is from Lorenzo and was originally laid out with ten...
Londonist
Events For Book Lovers In London This Winter
Christmas book fairs, winter book swaps and an exhibition on fantasy.
a year ago
Christmas book fairs, winter book swaps and an exhibition on fantasy.
Londonist
The Best Places To Find Bluebells In And Near London This Spring
You can walk your dog in some of these spots, too.
9 months ago
You can walk your dog in some of these spots, too.
diamond geezer
Unofficial tube map news 1
Three weeks ago a pasta-delivery company announced they'd be giving away free pasta outside five...
a year ago
Three weeks ago a pasta-delivery company announced they'd be giving away free pasta outside five tube stations on October 25th to celebrate World Pasta Day. This is the kind of marketingbolx that various media platforms adore, and Time Out, Metro, Secret London, AOL, MSN and the...
Londonist
Best Of Londonist: 12-18 February 2024
Copycat tube stations, odd benches and SIX new lines on the tube map.
10 months ago
Copycat tube stations, odd benches and SIX new lines on the tube map.
AFAR Media - Travel...
An Insider’s Guide to Wellness Travel in Sweden and Norway
4 months ago
AFAR Media - Travel...
The Highlights of New York Winter Jazzfest, January, 2025
a week ago
Spoon & Tamago
Japanese Designer New Year’s Cards of 2024
It’s been a rough start to the new year for Japan as one disaster begets another. We are of course...
11 months ago
It’s been a rough start to the new year for Japan as one disaster begets another. We are of course talking about the evolving situation at Haneda airport, as well as the Noto Peninsula. Our hearts go out to everyone affected but we also want to highlight the many heroes of the...
Londonist
Is This The Oldest Surviving Poster On The Tube Network?
The Otrivine gnome is not to be sniffed at.
10 months ago
The Otrivine gnome is not to be sniffed at.
diamond geezer
St Paul's Cathedral
On Lord Mayor's Show day entrance to St Paul's Cathedral is free.
Today's post comes free with 30...
a year ago
On Lord Mayor's Show day entrance to St Paul's Cathedral is free.
Today's post comes free with 30 photos on Flickr.
n.b. Doors open at 8.30am, so if you get there early you can get minimal people in your photos.
20 things to see inside St Paul's Cathedral
Nave
1) The font...
The Forney Flyer
And Here We Go Trying Yet Again...
There are so many good reasons/excuses I could give you as to why I did just one blog post last...
over a year ago
There are so many good reasons/excuses I could give you as to why I did just one blog post last June, with indications that I would start consistently blogging again, and then I disappeared... again. I could tell you that life has been super crazy busy, and that by...
Londonist
Free And Cheap Things To Do This Week In London: 11-17 December 2023
Things to do for under a fiver.
a year ago
Things to do for under a fiver.
Londonist
Peckham Festival: Free 3-Day Party Comes To SE15 London This September
Music, workshops, crafts, food - you name it.
a year ago
Music, workshops, crafts, food - you name it.
Londonist
Best Of Londonist: 2-8 October 2023
The best articles from the past week.
a year ago
The best articles from the past week.
Londonist
A Brief History Of The Jubilee Line
Including why they abandoned the name Fleet line.
a year ago
Including why they abandoned the name Fleet line.
diamond geezer
Just hanging around
25% of the 13 minute journey from Whitechapel to Paddington is spent not moving.
I tweeted this...
a year ago
25% of the 13 minute journey from Whitechapel to Paddington is spent not moving.
I tweeted this on Thursday, and it currently has 616 likes.
» Glad it’s not just me that’s noticed abnormally long dwell times. Very annoying!
» The padding is incredible
» God forbid a public...
Londonist
Behind The Blue Doors Of Brixton's Georgian Almshouse
Free exhibition comes to Lambeth Archives.
8 months ago
Free exhibition comes to Lambeth Archives.
Spoon & Tamago
All Aboard the Deer Train to Nara
all photos by mareiii04 Nara is known for several things including their gorgeous temples and...
a year ago
all photos by mareiii04 Nara is known for several things including their gorgeous temples and exquisite parks. But the historic Japanese city has another major tourist attraction: their devious deer. If you’re heading to Nara, be sure to try and board Kintetsu Railway’s new Deer...
diamond geezer
Random borough 1
It's exactly 20 years today since I dropped the names of 33 boroughs into an empty honey jar, picked...
9 months ago
It's exactly 20 years today since I dropped the names of 33 boroughs into an empty honey jar, picked one at random and kicked off my Random Borough project. It took eight years to complete.
I've decided to pick one of these 33 boroughs completely at random and then go there for...
Londonist
Life Drawing With Wolves... In A London Hotel
Anyone can get involved... even kids!
a year ago
Anyone can get involved... even kids!
diamond geezer
Bakerloo 40
Happy 40th Birthday to the Bakerloo line.
that's 118, but the current extent of the line with...
6 months ago
Happy 40th Birthday to the Bakerloo line.
that's 118, but the current extent of the line with trains operating between Harrow & Wealdstone and Elephant & Castle. Elephant's been the southern terminus since 1906, despite umpteen attempts at an extension. But the northern terminus...
diamond geezer
Non-London universities in London
London contains a lot of non-London universities.
This building is part of Buckinghamshire New...
11 months ago
London contains a lot of non-London universities.
This building is part of Buckinghamshire New University, which is neither new nor in Buckinghamshire.
wrong side of the river Colne. Admittedly the boundary's less than 200 metres away but this side of the river has always...
diamond geezer
England's 100 largest towns
One reason I went to Redditch is that it's one of England's largest towns and I'm trying to turn...
3 months ago
One reason I went to Redditch is that it's one of England's largest towns and I'm trying to turn this list blue. Admittedly it's only number 98, but every blogpost counts.
England's 100 largest towns and cities by population
1-10: London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Bristol,...
AFAR Media - Travel...
Alberta’s Best Nature Escapes for Adventurous Travelers
a month ago
Londonist
What's Happening With London Housing, Rent And Development? November 2023
Our quickfire summary of bricks and mortar, steel and glass.
a year ago
Our quickfire summary of bricks and mortar, steel and glass.
diamond geezer
The longest distance you can walk underneath
I was in Arnos Park yesterday, a large and pleasant park in Enfield just to the north of Arnos Grove...
7 months ago
I was in Arnos Park yesterday, a large and pleasant park in Enfield just to the north of Arnos Grove station. It has two prominent physical features, one of which is the Pymmes Brook which was flowing fairly strongly after all that rain we've had. The other is the Arnos Park...
AFAR Media - Travel...
5 Most Exciting Travel Destinations in the U.S. to Visit
a year ago
AFAR Media - Travel...
7 Things to Know Before Seeing a Broadway Show in New York City
a year ago
diamond geezer
The Secret Life of the Home
As science evolves, so does the Science Museum.
The Secret Life of the Home.
This much-loved...
7 months ago
As science evolves, so does the Science Museum.
The Secret Life of the Home.
This much-loved corner of the basement, where the life of the domestic appliance is quirkily celebrated, closes forever on Sunday 2nd June. I went for a last look round with a wall-to-wall smile,...
One from Nippon
The World's First App Store
Editor’s Note: This article ends on a cliffhanger. The next part goes out in a week.
I will start...
a year ago
Editor’s Note: This article ends on a cliffhanger. The next part goes out in a week.
I will start with an honest admission. I didn’t set out to write about the world’s first app store. I set out to write about Brother printers.
But
Londonist
Join The Race To Help Beat Childhood Cancer On A Family-Friendly Fun Run
RBC Race for the Kids returns.
a year ago
RBC Race for the Kids returns.
Cheese and Biscuits
Kolae, Borough Market
Everywhere you look the cost of living crisis bites, and few areas is that more evident than the...
11 months ago
Everywhere you look the cost of living crisis bites, and few areas is that more evident than the restaurant industry. If you're a regular anywhere you will have noticed your favourite dishes and tipples creeping up 10%-20% every few months, seemingly in an existential race with...
Londonist
Around London In 10 Foxes
Including the one who got up the Shard.
8 months ago
Including the one who got up the Shard.
AFAR Media - Travel...
What to Eat, Do, and See, and Where to Stay, in Maine
4 months ago
Londonist
The London Marathon 2024: A Complete Guide To Watching And Taking Part
When, where, who and how of London's biggest run.
8 months ago
When, where, who and how of London's biggest run.
Londonist
The Absolute Worst Things You Can Say To A Londoner
"I bought my flat in the early 2000s for 150k."
a year ago
"I bought my flat in the early 2000s for 150k."
Londonist
The Lost Trees Of London
The biggest and best trees that are no more.
a year ago
The biggest and best trees that are no more.
diamond geezer
London Heritage Quarter Summer Trail
What is this bolx?
London Heritage Quarter 'Journey Through Time' Summer Trail and it's bolx. It's...
6 months ago
What is this bolx?
London Heritage Quarter 'Journey Through Time' Summer Trail and it's bolx. It's been organised not to inspire and delight but to drive footfall to four commercial districts. It kicked off last week and runs all summer. It's lowest common denominator art. It's...
Londonist
Punk Bands In 1970s London: Rescued And Never-Before-Seen-Photos
Free exhibition only on for a month.
a year ago
Free exhibition only on for a month.
diamond geezer
25 years of hurt
25 years ago today a total solar eclipse could be seen from the UK. How is that ever quarter of a...
4 months ago
25 years ago today a total solar eclipse could be seen from the UK. How is that ever quarter of a century ago?
small part of the UK mainland in south Devon and Cornwall, arriving over Land's End at 11:10am and departing near Salcombe five minutes later. All you had to do to...
Londonist
A Map Of Westminster Place Names And Where They Come From
From Maida Vale to Covent Garden.
8 months ago
From Maida Vale to Covent Garden.
diamond geezer
In the shadow of
We often say somewhere is "in the shadow of" something without it necessarily being true.
The sun...
10 months ago
We often say somewhere is "in the shadow of" something without it necessarily being true.
The sun does not cast a shadow from the first location to the second, that's not how daylight works, so these places are not "in the shadow of".
Let's start with something familiar in...
Londonist
A Brief History Of The Victoria Line
A short chronology of the light-blue line.
a year ago
A short chronology of the light-blue line.
diamond geezer
Bus of the day 167
Bus Route Of The Day
167: Ilford to Loughton
Quadrant: London northeast
Length of journey: 8 miles,...
5 months ago
Bus Route Of The Day
167: Ilford to Loughton
Quadrant: London northeast
Length of journey: 8 miles, 50 minutes
Because it's 16th July I've been out riding the 167, because that's the Bus Route Of The Day. Let's hit the Home Counties.
167 extends far enough to properly enter...
Spoon & Tamago
Hida Takayama Distillery is Making Whiskey in an Abandoned School, Aging it in a Local Dam
Takane Elementary School and Takane No.2 Dam | images courtesy Hida Takayama A key strategy to...
a year ago
Takane Elementary School and Takane No.2 Dam | images courtesy Hida Takayama A key strategy to reducing our environmental impact involves integrating principles of a circular economy that prioritizes reuse, recovery, and refurbishment of existing infrastructure and resources. The...
diamond geezer
Redbridge Museum reopens
The London borough of Redbridge has boasted a solid mid-table museum since 2000, housed in a bespoke...
3 months ago
The London borough of Redbridge has boasted a solid mid-table museum since 2000, housed in a bespoke corner on the second floor of Ilford's main library. But it's needed a bit of a refresh for a while so they used lockdown as a chance to start updating it with lottery money and...
Spoon & Tamago
A Temporary Rooftop Forest Replaces Fukuoka’s Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine During Renovations
Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, one of Japan’s most-historically and culturally significant shrines, will...
a year ago
Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, one of Japan’s most-historically and culturally significant shrines, will undergo a massive renovation beginning in May of 2023. And for three years the honden main hall will be completely closed off to the roughly 10 million visitors who come to the...
diamond geezer
Green Link Walk 3
Let's return to London's newest official walkway, the Green Link Walk, which was launched on 1st...
9 months ago
Let's return to London's newest official walkway, the Green Link Walk, which was launched on 1st March. If you need a map try here, if you need an app try here, if you want 45 pages of walking instructions try here, and if you're reading this several months in the future try...
Londonist
The Top Exhibitions To See In London: February 2024
Clocks, consumerism and centurions.
11 months ago
Clocks, consumerism and centurions.
diamond geezer
Redditch
Gadabout: REDDITCH
Redditch is an old market town a dozen miles south of Birmingham and marginally...
3 months ago
Gadabout: REDDITCH
Redditch is an old market town a dozen miles south of Birmingham and marginally in Worcestershire. It's also a new town, one of the second wave designated in the mid 1960s, and expanded considerably to create a car-friendly constellation of residential nuclei....
Londonist
Another Dazzling Light Show Comes To This Central London Church This Winter
Luxmuralis work their magic at St Martin-in-the-Fields.
a year ago
Luxmuralis work their magic at St Martin-in-the-Fields.
Londonist
The Funniest Things You've Heard Tube Drivers Say - Vol. 4
"Anyone know where the brakes are on this thing?"
a year ago
"Anyone know where the brakes are on this thing?"
AFAR Media - Travel...
How Are Airplane Blankets, Seats, and Bathrooms Cleaned?
a year ago
diamond geezer
Ealing NEWS
North Ealing
northernmost point in the borough of Ealing. Which is here in the corner of Roxeth...
6 months ago
North Ealing
northernmost point in the borough of Ealing. Which is here in the corner of Roxeth Recreation Ground. North Ealing station is 4 miles away.
Roxeth Rec may be large but it's tucked into a dead end wedge between two railway lines, hidden behind a rack of terraced...
diamond geezer
Route 549
London's next dead bus
549: Loughton to South Woodford
Location: outer London/Essex
Length of...
3 months ago
London's next dead bus
549: Loughton to South Woodford
Location: outer London/Essex
Length of journey: 5 miles, 30 minutes
549, which dies tomorrow, is one of London's weirder bus routes. It was transferred to TfL control from Essex in 2003, hence the unusual opening digit. It...
diamond geezer
Living on an airfield
London contains a lot of former airfields.
Hornchurch.
This was formerly RAF Hornchurch, a large...
11 months ago
London contains a lot of former airfields.
Hornchurch.
This was formerly RAF Hornchurch, a large airfield in the Ingrebourne valley which played a vital role in defending the eastern side of the capital from German bombers. It first came into service in 1915 when it was known...
AFAR Media - Travel...
Where You Can Explore the World's Rivers And Protect Them
a year ago
Londonist
10 Big Shows To Book For 2024
It's a good time to be a Studio Ghibli fan.
a year ago
It's a good time to be a Studio Ghibli fan.
Londonist
TfL Releases Treasure Trove Of Historic Tube Maps, Photos And More
The transport motherlode via Google Arts & Culture.
10 months ago
The transport motherlode via Google Arts & Culture.
Londonist
Fears Over Redevelopment Of Surbiton Station
Public consultation now open.
a year ago
Public consultation now open.
diamond geezer
Looking ahead to 2024
Looking ahead to 2024
Jan: Londoners ignore the New Year Parade; the popular blog diamond geezer...
11 months ago
Looking ahead to 2024
Jan: Londoners ignore the New Year Parade; the popular blog diamond geezer publishes a New Year quiz but in the afternoon when regular readers aren't expecting it; this year's Apprentice candidates are grating smug muppets
Feb: new London bus routes include...
Londonist
Best Of Londonist: 11-17 September 2023
Doctor Who, a child called Hyde Park, and some ace Ian Nairn quotes.
a year ago
Doctor Who, a child called Hyde Park, and some ace Ian Nairn quotes.
Londonist
SWANA Clubs In London, And How They Give Me A Sense Of Cultural Identity
Finding yourself in the rhythmic pulse of Arabian music.
10 months ago
Finding yourself in the rhythmic pulse of Arabian music.
AFAR Media - Travel...
The Best Architectural Wonders: 5 Cities You Must See
6 months ago
Londonist
30 Beautiful Giraffe Sculptures To Discover On This Croydon Art Trail
Done the gorillas? Now do these.
a year ago
Done the gorillas? Now do these.
Londonist
See The '12 Days Of Christmas' Decorations In Duke Of York Square
"...And a partridge in a pear tree."
a year ago
"...And a partridge in a pear tree."
Londonist
45+ Fantastic Things To Do In London This Month: November 2023
Vintage cars, new exhibitions and the all-important Christmas light switch-ons.
a year ago
Vintage cars, new exhibitions and the all-important Christmas light switch-ons.
Spoon & Tamago
Whale Butter Dish Designed by Akira Yoshimura
This whimsical butter dish is sure to bring a sea of change to your kitchen. Designed by Akira...
a year ago
This whimsical butter dish is sure to bring a sea of change to your kitchen. Designed by Akira Yoshimura (previously) and lovingly produced by the metal artisans of Takaoka-based Sanomasa, the Whale Butter Dish is made in the likeness of a whale that has swallowed a stick of...
Londonist
Panto In London - Where To Watch The Best Pantomimes This Festive Season
Panto is back for 2023 - oh yes it is!
a year ago
Panto is back for 2023 - oh yes it is!
diamond geezer
Dangleway Week
Often around this time of year I go totally tubular with a week devoted to the London Underground -...
a year ago
Often around this time of year I go totally tubular with a week devoted to the London Underground - five days of quizzes, quirks, commentary and obscure statistics. Well not this year.
I should warn you that I haven't actually ridden the cablecar while researching these fifteen...
diamond geezer
Banksy's zoo
Over the course of the last nine days, the artist Banksy has been out daily painting animals at...
4 months ago
Over the course of the last nine days, the artist Banksy has been out daily painting animals at various locations across London. As publicity goes it's been a summer season masterstroke.
Some have since been removed, some have been screened off, some have been further...
diamond geezer
Rail & Heritage Loop
A Nice Walk?: Rail & Heritage Loop (18 miles)
Buro Happold, in association with social enterprise...
5 months ago
A Nice Walk?: Rail & Heritage Loop (18 miles)
Buro Happold, in association with social enterprise Footways, have just launched a new circular walking route linking 10 central London rail termini. It's not meant for speedy connections, more for recreational wandering, and ticks...
Londonist
Where To Volunteer In London At Christmas 2023
Make someone else's Christmas special.
a year ago
Make someone else's Christmas special.
Londonist
Rare Chelsea Books: Memories Of A Bookshop On The King's Road
"We discouraged visitors from bringing in galettes, to prevent sticky fingers."
a year ago
"We discouraged visitors from bringing in galettes, to prevent sticky fingers."
Londonist
Metro Memory: The Addictive Tube Game You're Going To Be Playing All Week
"Just five more minutes..."
a year ago
"Just five more minutes..."
diamond geezer
Eden Dock
You know how when you come out of Canary Wharf tube station, main entrance, there's always been a...
2 months ago
You know how when you come out of Canary Wharf tube station, main entrance, there's always been a big empty dock in front of you? Well, not any more.
yesterday and is really very impressive. So long as you don't read anything about it.
island. Unsurprisingly it's already...
AFAR Media - Travel...
Discover Nine Ways to be Present in Los Angeles.
9 months ago
diamond geezer
The Brockley Three Peaks
A Nice Walk: The Brockley Three Peaks (5 miles)
Sometimes you just want to go for a nice walk,...
6 months ago
A Nice Walk: The Brockley Three Peaks (5 miles)
Sometimes you just want to go for a nice walk, triple-summited, great views, waterside stretches, plenty of up and down, easily reached, all-weather surfaces, a bit of history, occasional dead people, refreshment opportunities, two...
Londonist
Free And Cheap Things To Do In London This Week: 18-24 March 2024
Things to do for under a fiver.
9 months ago
Things to do for under a fiver.
Londonist
New Exhibition Explores How William Shakespeare Shaped Britain’s Experience Of War
From the English Civil War to the present day.
a year ago
From the English Civil War to the present day.
Londonist
The Petrie Museum: Ancient Egypt Without The British Museum Crowds
The Bloomsbury museum hidden in UCL.
10 months ago
The Bloomsbury museum hidden in UCL.
Londonist
Big Improvement In London's Roadside Pollution, Says Report
NO2 levels plummet, but more to be done.
9 months ago
NO2 levels plummet, but more to be done.
Spoon & Tamago
Creatures of the Echigo Sea Emerge from Straw in the 2023 Wara Art Festival
Autumn is officially upon us. It’s the season of shorter days, brighter moons and bountiful...
a year ago
Autumn is officially upon us. It’s the season of shorter days, brighter moons and bountiful harvests. Niigata prefecture, in Northern Japan, is known for its rice paddies and rice production. Around this time of year the rice harvest becomes a big deal, as well as the tons of...
diamond geezer
I wish it could be every day
I wish it could be Christmas Eve every day
• Shopping would always be madness.
• No more Countdown...
12 months ago
I wish it could be Christmas Eve every day
• Shopping would always be madness.
• No more Countdown on C4, just endless reruns of The Snowman.
• You'd forever be wrapping presents but not opening them.
• You'd soon run out of sellotape.
• Christmas jumpers would no longer be a...
The Forney Flyer
Rain Rain Go Away...
This past year has been by far the wettest year since we've been in Uganda. Last year we had a very...
over a year ago
This past year has been by far the wettest year since we've been in Uganda. Last year we had a very short dry season, and then the rains came again with extra vengeance. The second, shorter, dry season that is supposed to come about half way through the year--well it basically...
Londonist
The Open House London 2023 Programme Has Been Announced - Including BT Tower Tours
Plus tube station tours, and other landmark buildings.
a year ago
Plus tube station tours, and other landmark buildings.
diamond geezer
East Anglia Pylons
More News From Norfolk
110 mile line of pylons all the way from Norwich to the Thames. It's needed...
5 months ago
More News From Norfolk
110 mile line of pylons all the way from Norwich to the Thames. It's needed to help connect an increasing number of wind farms in the North Sea to population centres in London and the southeast, because it's no good having all that cheap energy if you...
Londonist
Buy A Toy For One Of The 5,000 Poorest London Kids In London This Christmas
Winter Toy Appeal back for 10th year.
a year ago
Winter Toy Appeal back for 10th year.
Londonist
London Gets A New Station As Brent Cross West Opens
Handy for Brent Cross shopping centre.
a year ago
Handy for Brent Cross shopping centre.
diamond geezer
BustopMas
Now that December's here the festivity in London is palpable! And as Christmas grows closer our...
a year ago
Now that December's here the festivity in London is palpable! And as Christmas grows closer our appetite for seasonal treats grows ever stronger. It can mean only one thing: winter is upon us and Christmas has officially arrived.
This year's big ticket event is BustopMas, a...
diamond geezer
Rooms Through TIme
The Museum of the Home in Hoxton has evolved again. It used to be the Geffrye Museum, a linear...
5 months ago
The Museum of the Home in Hoxton has evolved again. It used to be the Geffrye Museum, a linear celebration of historic middle-class interiors. In 1998 it extended beyond the almshouses into a loopy extension with cafe and gift shop. In 2021 they added a thematic basement, shifted...
Londonist
Dazzling Light Festivals To See In London: Winter 2023
Light tunnels, fire gardens and lasers.
a year ago
Light tunnels, fire gardens and lasers.
AFAR Media - Travel...
9 Must-Visit Religious UNESCO Sites in Germany
7 months ago
One from Nippon
The shoe that became a sock. And then a shoe again.
Stockholm, 1912
At 35° C it was an unusually hot day for Stockholm. Shizo Kanakuri stood at the...
a year ago
Stockholm, 1912
At 35° C it was an unusually hot day for Stockholm. Shizo Kanakuri stood at the start line of the marathon in the 1912 Stockholm Olympics. Shizo was carrying the hopes, dreams, and pride of Japan, a country attempting to become a “modern” nation.
There
Spoon & Tamago
Abstract Paintings by Yuna Ogina Depict Intimate Human Connections
Tokyo-based artist Ogino Yuna creates semi-abstract paintings using motifs of living things that are...
4 months ago
Tokyo-based artist Ogino Yuna creates semi-abstract paintings using motifs of living things that are familiar to her, such as flowers and people. But for her latest exhibition, which just opened in Tokyo, the artist has pointed her brush at one of the most basic yet intimate...
diamond geezer
The Hayes diagram
TfL are proposing a small change to bus route 350 in Hayes, diverting it to terminate alongside new...
6 months ago
TfL are proposing a small change to bus route 350 in Hayes, diverting it to terminate alongside new flats on Nestles Avenue rather than outside Asda. It's not a particularly controversial consultation, nor indeed terribly interesting unless you live very locally.
this map titled...
Londonist
Things To Do This Weekend In London: 16-17 March 2024
Vintage clothes, live jazz, and the St Patrick's Day parade.
9 months ago
Vintage clothes, live jazz, and the St Patrick's Day parade.
diamond geezer
London's wind turbines
I was in Dagenham and I saw this wind turbine and I wondered
How many wind turbines are there in...
6 months ago
I was in Dagenham and I saw this wind turbine and I wondered
How many wind turbines are there in London?
So I made a map using OpenStreetMap and OverpassTurbo.
It produced a map showing 44 wind turbines in the Greater London area.
Except I looked a bit closer and some of...
diamond geezer
Options for improving Stratford station
Stratford station can be a nightmare to get around, having grown over the years to become an...
a year ago
Stratford station can be a nightmare to get around, having grown over the years to become an impenetrable monster of an interchange. It needed a major rebuild in the late 90s before the Jubilee line arrived, fronted by the steel and glass concourse we see today. It needed another...
Londonist
It's Car-Free Day This Weekend - And 100 London Roads Are Closing To Vehicles
To the space hoppers!
a year ago
Spoon & Tamago
Discover Fukui Sake Along the Kuzuryu River at Eshikoto
all images courtesy Furuya Design Eshikoto is a brand created by Nizaemon Ishidaya, proprietor of...
a year ago
all images courtesy Furuya Design Eshikoto is a brand created by Nizaemon Ishidaya, proprietor of the Kokuryu Sake Brewery which was founded in 1804 in the mountains of Fukui. With a motto not dissimilar to the famous quote from Field of Dreams–”if we make good sake, people will...
diamond geezer
Houlton
Approaching Rugby by train 20 years ago, what you'd have noticed out of the window was a vast array...
10 months ago
Approaching Rugby by train 20 years ago, what you'd have noticed out of the window was a vast array of very tall masts clustered across the fields to one side. They were even more prominent from the A5 on the far side of the site, equally visible from the M1 and perhaps best seen...
diamond geezer
BL1
London's Free Buses
BL1: Bedfont Lakes - Feltham
BL2: Bedfont Lakes - Hatton Cross
Length of...
2 months ago
London's Free Buses
BL1: Bedfont Lakes - Feltham
BL2: Bedfont Lakes - Hatton Cross
Length of journey: 2 miles, 12 minutes
It's a strange place, a 1990s commercial development built across former gravel pits, originally with IBM as the lead tenant. It's a bit like Stockley Park...
Londonist
In Pictures: The East End Pubs Of London
Bars stools, sticky carpets, cash only - bliss.
a year ago
Bars stools, sticky carpets, cash only - bliss.
Cheese and Biscuits
The Devonshire, Soho
There's no avoiding the fact, and there's no point dancing around it. There's no need for lengthy,...
a year ago
There's no avoiding the fact, and there's no point dancing around it. There's no need for lengthy, thoughtful or measured arguments; no sense in analysing the details. There needs to be no slow and steady building of a case, culminating in a grand and weighty conclusion. The...
diamond geezer
Taking the piss
In an ideal world every TfL station would have toilet facilities but the truth is you're more likely...
a month ago
In an ideal world every TfL station would have toilet facilities but the truth is you're more likely to be caught short.
announce "bold plans to grow and improve toilet provision" because that'd be a very good thing. The press release promised "investment totalling £3m per year...
Londonist
International Women's Day And Women's History Month 2024 Events In London
Guided walks, talks, exhibitions and more - all celebrating women.
10 months ago
Guided walks, talks, exhibitions and more - all celebrating women.
diamond geezer
The rising price of the double issue Radio Times
The Christmas double issue Radio Times has been published.
cover price has gone up again.
(and 50...
a week ago
The Christmas double issue Radio Times has been published.
cover price has gone up again.
(and 50 years ago, just 16p)
The data: 1974 16p, 1975 20p, 1976 22p, 1977 26p, 1978 26p, 1979 30p, 1980 36p, 1981 50p, 1982 50p, 1983 56p, 1984 60p, 1985 64p, 1986 70p, 1987 74p, 1988...
Londonist
The Wandering Caryatids Of Southwark Park
They've stood in three different locations.
a year ago
They've stood in three different locations.
diamond geezer
The 20 year-old 2016 tube map
20 years ago this week TfL published a map of what their transport network might look like in...
5 months ago
20 years ago this week TfL published a map of what their transport network might look like in 2016.
(technically it was 20 years ago last week, but the actual anniversary was election day and we were all otherwise occupied)
The map has obviously disappeared from the TfL...
Londonist
Christmas Gift Guide: London Themed Presents To Buy For London Lovers!
Books, booze and unique stocking fillers.
a year ago
Books, booze and unique stocking fillers.
diamond geezer
Ten apologies
I'd like to apologise for the ten posts I could have brought you today but haven't written.
1)...
a month ago
I'd like to apologise for the ten posts I could have brought you today but haven't written.
1) Visit London have opened a temporary Ticket Shop in Covent Garden
flogging stuff, mainly tickets to attractions and shows, and it looks hugely superfluous but it's not aimed at...
AFAR Media - Travel...
Hotel Review: Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo in Panama City
a year ago
Londonist
London's Best Whisky Bars
Fancy a wee dram?
11 months ago
diamond geezer
Friday transport news
Friday transport news
n.b. London Reconnections does a longer list every Friday
Ian Visits does a...
10 months ago
Friday transport news
n.b. London Reconnections does a longer list every Friday
Ian Visits does a longer list every Friday
Raildate does a longer list every Friday
Overground news
recently restored, and it's one of the latter.
It's the original waiting room from 1872 which...
AFAR Media - Travel...
A Guide to Washington D.C. by Local Band Everyday Everybody
7 months ago
diamond geezer
Notes from the SL1
Notes from the SL1
Route SL1: North Finchley - Walthamstow Central
Length of journey: 10 miles, 50...
a year ago
Notes from the SL1
Route SL1: North Finchley - Walthamstow Central
Length of journey: 10 miles, 50 minutes
• The SL1 is the second new Superloop route, as opposed to a rebrand. It's also the first, numerically speaking, although nobody has ever satisfactorily explained why...
Londonist
15 Delightful Day Trips From London: November 2023
Charming events within easy reach of London.
a year ago
Charming events within easy reach of London.
Londonist
Where To Dine And Drink In An Igloo Or Snow Globe In London This Winter
Book riverside igloos and rooftop domes.
a year ago
Book riverside igloos and rooftop domes.
AFAR Media - Travel...
Amsterdam Plans to Ban Large Cruise Ships: What to Expect
a year ago
Cheese and Biscuits
Kachori, Elephant and Castle
There's a lot to be said about the redevelopment/regeneration/whitewashing (delete as applicable) of...
a year ago
There's a lot to be said about the redevelopment/regeneration/whitewashing (delete as applicable) of Elephant and Castle, and I am singularly unqualified to say it. I'm not trying to avoid the issue (honest), but am very aware that having nothing invested in the old place and...
diamond geezer
The December 2024 tube map
The introduction of six Overground line names continues to have unfortunate repercussions.
It's...
a week ago
The introduction of six Overground line names continues to have unfortunate repercussions.
It's unfortunate because the last tube map was only released three weeks ago. Alas it included a typo so the decision was taken to withdraw the entire batch pending a reprint, and here...
Spoon & Tamago
Coworking Space in Kinosaki Onsen Encourages Users to Take Bath Breaks
Photo: Madoka Nishiyama courtesy KIAC This might very well be the coworking space of our dreams. The...
a year ago
Photo: Madoka Nishiyama courtesy KIAC This might very well be the coworking space of our dreams. The Kinosaki International Art Center (KIAC) is a multipurpose community center located in Kinosaki Onsen, a quaint town on the coast of Japan that’s known for their natural hot...
diamond geezer
Bow Roundabout update #4
Four months of major roadworks were supposed to begin at the Bow Roundabout on Monday. So how's that...
2 months ago
Four months of major roadworks were supposed to begin at the Bow Roundabout on Monday. So how's that going?
Monday 30th September
Tuesday 1st October
I popped up to Old Ford to see what's happened with route 8 terminating one stop early. A temporary stand has been created...
Londonist
Best Of Londonist: 30 October-5 November 2023
The best articles from Londonist over the past week.
a year ago
The best articles from Londonist over the past week.
Londonist
London Then And Now: Aerial Shots Show City Grow Over Past Two Decades
Our city's put on a bit of a growth spurt since the 2000s...
a year ago
Our city's put on a bit of a growth spurt since the 2000s...
Londonist
Free And Cheap Things To Do This Week In London: 18-24 December 2023
Things to do for under a fiver.
a year ago
Things to do for under a fiver.
diamond geezer
Unblogged October
31 unblogged things I did in October
Tue 1: Two new developments in Barking & Dagenham are...
a month ago
31 unblogged things I did in October
Tue 1: Two new developments in Barking & Dagenham are over-egging transport links in their roadside marketing. Barking Riverside says 'Perfectly connected' when the reality is a half-hourly boat, a train to Barking or non-express buses....
Londonist
Dreaming Of Owning A Home In France? You Need To Know About This Event!
The French Property Exhibition returns to London this month.
11 months ago
The French Property Exhibition returns to London this month.
The Forney Flyer
Life Under Lockdown in Uganda
Hey folks. Several of you have been asking how things are going for us over here in Uganda,...
over a year ago
Hey folks. Several of you have been asking how things are going for us over here in Uganda, considering how disruptive the Covid-19 stuff has been worldwide. Well, since my previous blog post (on March 24th) Uganda has basically gone under a virtual lockdown. I took these two...
diamond geezer
2023 index
dg 2023 index
Beyond London
Nottingham: Not just Robin Hood and cricket, but also caves, Boots and a...
11 months ago
dg 2023 index
Beyond London
Nottingham: Not just Robin Hood and cricket, but also caves, Boots and a complete traverse of the tram network [photos]
West Midlands Metro: A day of faffing about on the trams, especially the latest extensions
Cheltenham and Gloucester: Spas, racing...
Spoon & Tamago
Tomona Matsukawa’s Realistic Paintings Reconstruct Fragments of Everyday Life
“Morning will come and my feelings will ease a little” (2024), Oil on linen mounted on panel...
8 months ago
“Morning will come and my feelings will ease a little” (2024), Oil on linen mounted on panel Kyoto-based artist Tomona Matsukawa creates realistic and somewhat dramatic oil paintings that are each inspired by conversations with other women of her generation, often strangers. The...
Londonist
Things To Do This Weekend In London: 6-7 April 2024
Last-chance exhibitions, an ice hockey weekender, and a miniature railway.
8 months ago
Last-chance exhibitions, an ice hockey weekender, and a miniature railway.
diamond geezer
Six 15-minute posts
Here are six brief posts, none of which I spent more than 15 minutes on.
1) The consultation...
4 months ago
Here are six brief posts, none of which I spent more than 15 minutes on.
1) The consultation report for "Extending the DLR from Gallions Reach to Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead" has just been published. At this very early stage in the project it focused on asking people...
diamond geezer
Paddington plus
Paddington tube station has another entrance. I know, another one.
It already has a...
2 months ago
Paddington tube station has another entrance. I know, another one.
It already has a District/Circle/Bakerloo entrance on the mainline concourse, a separate District/Circle entrance across the road on Praed Street, a completely separate Circle/Hammersmith & City entrance over...
diamond geezer
Dunton Green
One Stop Beyond: Dunton Green
In this series I'm taking the train one stop beyond the Greater...
a month ago
One Stop Beyond: Dunton Green
In this series I'm taking the train one stop beyond the Greater London boundary, getting off and seeing what's there. Today that means Dunton Green, one stop beyond Knockholt on the Sevenoaks line, a disparate village at the foot of the North Downs...
Londonist
Things To Do This Week In London: 13-19 November 2023
Winter Wonderland, Doctor Who, Elf The Musical and Christmas at Kew.
a year ago
Winter Wonderland, Doctor Who, Elf The Musical and Christmas at Kew.
diamond geezer
Bedford to Bletchley for £1
A ride down the Marston Vale line
(where a train journey currently costs just £1, for reasons...
6 months ago
A ride down the Marston Vale line
(where a train journey currently costs just £1, for reasons explained yesterday)
Bedford
Platform 1a beside the car park, chugging away noisily and hourly.
Nearby: The town centre was fairly buzzy on Saturday, helped by umpteen outdoor market...
diamond geezer
Langley Vale WW1 Centenary Wood
Yesterday a 12 mile walk from Redhill to Epsom morphed abruptly into a 13 mile walk from Redhill to...
11 months ago
Yesterday a 12 mile walk from Redhill to Epsom morphed abruptly into a 13 mile walk from Redhill to Leatherhead. And so I found myself blundering unexpectedly through Langley Vale, England's WW1 Centenary Wood.
a mile to the south of Epsom racecourse. It's one of four Centenary...
diamond geezer
The Ballot Box
Pub of the Day: the Ballot Box UB6 7QL
Ballot Box, it's on Horsenden Lane between Perivale and...
5 months ago
Pub of the Day: the Ballot Box UB6 7QL
Ballot Box, it's on Horsenden Lane between Perivale and North Greenford. Nothing big drives this way thanks to a width restriction at the old bridge over the Grand Union, but the Capital Ring passes by just after its detour up Horsenden...
Cheese and Biscuits
The Counter, Tunbridge Wells
As much as I try to travel as far and wide as possible for a meal, there are certain parts of the...
a month ago
As much as I try to travel as far and wide as possible for a meal, there are certain parts of the world that are somewhat better-represented on these pages than others. Obviously as I live in London, and it's the best food city on the planet, that's the main focus of this blog....
Spoon & Tamago
Keisuke Oka’s Arimaston Building in Tokyo, Made Entirely by Hand
all photos by @husky_003 | used with permission Almost 15 years ago, on a tiny plot of land in...
a month ago
all photos by @husky_003 | used with permission Almost 15 years ago, on a tiny plot of land in eastern Tokyo, a young architect named Keisuke Oka began to construct a tower of concrete entirely by hand. Located just a short walk from Mita Station, the Arimaston Building (蟻鱒鳶ル) is...
Londonist
A Brief History Of The Northern Line
London's first deep-level tube.
a year ago
London's first deep-level tube.
diamond geezer
Majority Sweepstake
On polling day, let's have a sweepstake on the size of the Labour majority.
comments...
5 months ago
On polling day, let's have a sweepstake on the size of the Labour majority.
comments if(postComments['51253209151424'] != null){document.write(' (' + postComments['51253209151424'] + ')')}else{document.write(' (0)')};
n.b. If you don't think Labour are going to get a majority, go...
diamond geezer
Five years of new stations
Today it's five years since the day Crossrail was supposed to open but didn't.
three and a half...
a year ago
Today it's five years since the day Crossrail was supposed to open but didn't.
three and a half years to run the first train. People in high places must have been lying their socks off.
• Battersea Power Station, Nine Elms and the Northern line extension
Brent Cross...
diamond geezer
Hog Hill and Dog Kennel Hill
Things on Hills: Hog Hill and Dog Kennel Hill
Where the heck are we? The far side of Redbridge,...
a month ago
Things on Hills: Hog Hill and Dog Kennel Hill
Where the heck are we? The far side of Redbridge, almost in Havering
Be more precise: On the southern edge of Hainault Country Park
Nearest tube station: Fairlop, but 1½ miles away so hardly near
Nearest bus routes: both the 247 and...
Londonist
Free And Cheap Things To Do In London This Week: 25-31 March 2024
Things to do for under a fiver.
9 months ago
Things to do for under a fiver.
AFAR Media - Travel...
Where to Ski, Stay, & Explore Outdoors in Alberta's Winter
a month ago
Spoon & Tamago
Elongated Engawa Defines this Community Welfare Center in Chiba
As Japan’s population continues to grow older—one in 10 residents are aged 80 or above—care for the...
a year ago
As Japan’s population continues to grow older—one in 10 residents are aged 80 or above—care for the elderly becomes an increasingly important issue. And while elderly populations are typically seen as a burden, there are places around rural Japan that offer glimpses of a more...
diamond geezer
Why are people wrong?
Why are people wrong?
There's no need to be wrong these days, all the facts are there. All you...
4 months ago
Why are people wrong?
There's no need to be wrong these days, all the facts are there. All you need to do is look.
It's not clear where all this wrongness comes from. Nobody's born with wrong opinions but many accrue them later in life. Could be nature, could be nurture,...
Londonist
Nostalgic For The Elephant And Castle Underpass? You Will Be After Watching This Maccabees Video
The ending almost had us weeping...
a year ago
The ending almost had us weeping...
Londonist
London's Best Private Party Venues For Smaller Groups
'Tis almost the season.
a year ago
Londonist
How (And Why) To Get Tickets To The London Railway Station You've Never Heard Of
London International (CIV).
10 months ago
London International (CIV).
AFAR Media - Travel...
Why Denmark and Finland Are Must-Visits for Foodies
4 months ago
Londonist
Ice Cream And Gelato Galore At Covent Garden's Frozen Festival
Feat. a Wes Anderson-inspired pop up.
a year ago
Feat. a Wes Anderson-inspired pop up.
Spoon & Tamago
Five Things To Look Forward to at the 2025 World Expo Japan Pavilion
The 2025 World Expo in Osaka, slated to take place in Osaka, is just 6 months away. Taking place...
2 months ago
The 2025 World Expo in Osaka, slated to take place in Osaka, is just 6 months away. Taking place from April 13 to October 13, 2025, the expo aims to be a participatory, experiential, solutions-oriented exposition, offering the world an opportunity to come together in one place to...
Londonist
Cycle All Day For £3, As Santander Cycles Introduces New Day Pass
We feel a challenge coming on...
11 months ago
We feel a challenge coming on...
Londonist
Free And Cheap Things To Do This Week In London: 25 September-1 October 2023
Things to do for under a fiver.
a year ago
Things to do for under a fiver.
diamond geezer
The disappearing Status updates map
The introduction of six Overground line names continues to have unfortunate repercussions.
Status...
a week ago
The introduction of six Overground line names continues to have unfortunate repercussions.
Status updates page on the TfL website where for the last ten years you've been able to see a map of disruptions to the network.
The map was removed three weeks ago when the big...
Londonist
Dozens Of Vintage Boats Moor Up In Central London This September
The (free!) Classic Boat Festival is back at St Katharine Docks.
a year ago
The (free!) Classic Boat Festival is back at St Katharine Docks.
diamond geezer
Pudding Mill Lane 10
The DLR's youngest station is ten years old today.
Pudding Mill Lane opened on 28th April 2014...
7 months ago
The DLR's youngest station is ten years old today.
Pudding Mill Lane opened on 28th April 2014 and remains unnecessarily enormous.
Caveat: The station which opened 10 years ago was a rebuild paid for by Crossrail, because the original sat on the precise site where purple...
Londonist
Things To Do In The Borough Of Kingston Upon Thames
Or ROYAL Kingston upon Thames, if you insist.
10 months ago
Or ROYAL Kingston upon Thames, if you insist.
Spoon & Tamago
Three Art Festival to Visit in Japan in the 2nd Half of 2024
Japan’s numerous art festivals have proven to be an effective way of luring domestic and...
6 months ago
Japan’s numerous art festivals have proven to be an effective way of luring domestic and international tourists out of popular destinations and into rural parts of Japan they would have otherwise not visited. The poster child is perhaps the Setouchi Triennale, whose combination...
diamond geezer
The Overground renaming story
The Overground renaming story
Sep 2006: The Mayor announced yesterday that he's found a cunning way...
3 weeks ago
The Overground renaming story
Sep 2006: The Mayor announced yesterday that he's found a cunning way of extending the tube network without forking out billions on new tunnels. He's taking a couple of existing rail services - namely Silverlink's North London line and TfL's East...
Londonist
London To Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023: When Is It? What's The Route? Which Vehicles Will I See?
What a sight!
a year ago
diamond geezer
Unblogged first week of May
7 unblogged things I did in the first week of May
Wed 1: While I was touring City churches I came...
7 months ago
7 unblogged things I did in the first week of May
Wed 1: While I was touring City churches I came across this, the Lost London Churches Project. They've printed a little colour card for every church in the City of London - current and former - and the idea is to collect them all...
Londonist
Free And Cheap Things To Do This Week In London: 16-22 October 2023
Things to do for under a fiver.
a year ago
Things to do for under a fiver.
Spoon & Tamago
Kirie Artist Carves Playful Narratives Into Tree Leaves
“Aquarium of Leaves” A 37-year old Japanese artist who goes by the name Lito has been living with...
a year ago
“Aquarium of Leaves” A 37-year old Japanese artist who goes by the name Lito has been living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) his entire life. Lito had been searching for an outlet where he could channel his above-normal levels of concentration and...
diamond geezer
London's highest High Street
London's highest High Street
High Street (Downe) [155m]
High Street should be in Downe.
Downe is...
6 months ago
London's highest High Street
High Street (Downe) [155m]
High Street should be in Downe.
Downe is a proper village surrounded by fields, not far from Biggin Hill airport. It used to be in Kent but is now in the outer orbit of the London borough of Bromley. It has two village...
Londonist
Places That Closed Down In London In 2024
Rooftop bars, kids' attractions and a beloved market.
9 months ago
Rooftop bars, kids' attractions and a beloved market.
diamond geezer
2X 60Y 60Z
In my quest to find London's highest-lettered house I've already found a U, V and some Ws.
18U...
a year ago
In my quest to find London's highest-lettered house I've already found a U, V and some Ws.
18U Brondesbury Park (NW6 7DL)
55V The Bishops Avenue (N2 0BJ)
1W-51W Rosebery Square (EC1R 4PT)
2X Chesterford Gardens (NW3 7DE)
We're in Hampstead amid the leafy avenues on the...
diamond geezer
Doctor Who 60
On Doctor Who's 60th birthday, here's a post about Doctor Who and birthdays.
I checked back...
a year ago
On Doctor Who's 60th birthday, here's a post about Doctor Who and birthdays.
I checked back recently and was amazed to see that my birthday had coincided with a new episode of Doctor Who in four consecutive years. This seemed somewhat improbable.
9th March 1982: Earthshock...
Cheese and Biscuits
Hong Kong Restaurant, Angel
London has never been the kind of place where you can just pick a restaurant at random and have at...
2 months ago
London has never been the kind of place where you can just pick a restaurant at random and have at least a decent dinner. There are too many tourist traps, dingy fast food joints, grim chains and bandwagon-jumping copycats (just see how many smash burger joints have appeared in...
The Forney Flyer
Random Shots from the Phone
This post features a few random shots from the iPhone. Some are from my very old iPhone 5s, that...
over a year ago
This post features a few random shots from the iPhone. Some are from my very old iPhone 5s, that recently died. And some are from the refurbished iPhone 8 that replaced it. As a photographer, I don't buy into the concept that phone cameras will ever totally replace 'real'...
Herbert Lui
The new direction
When you’re exploring a new direction in your career, you are bound to experience confusion. It is a...
a week ago
When you’re exploring a new direction in your career, you are bound to experience confusion. It is a particularly painful, vulnerable, emotion. You may experience an emotional instinct to reach out and fall back into the familiar. All of a sudden, the old, familiar, well-trodden...
diamond geezer
Unlocking QEOP
Ten years ago, when Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park fully opened, I showed you this graphic showing all...
8 months ago
Ten years ago, when Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park fully opened, I showed you this graphic showing all the pedestrian entrances into the park. It wasn't an official list, simply those I'd spotted, numbered in an anti-clockwise direction starting from Westfield.
greens were...
Londonist
Literary Footprints 2024: Walking Tours Around Literary London
Love books? Love London? Love this.
10 months ago
Love books? Love London? Love this.
diamond geezer
Hampton Water Works
The square after Coventry Street on the Monopoly board is the Water Works. London has all kinds of...
2 months ago
The square after Coventry Street on the Monopoly board is the Water Works. London has all kinds of water infrastructure, from sewage treatment works to reservoirs and ring mains, not to mention sewers, pumping stations and the Tideway Tunnel. But I thought I'd visit the largest...
Spoon & Tamago
Kenji Yanobe’s BIG CAT BANG is Now on Display at Ginza Six
Space cats in astronaut suits, ultraman figurines reenacting the beginning of the universe, and a...
8 months ago
Space cats in astronaut suits, ultraman figurines reenacting the beginning of the universe, and a tribute to Taro Okamoto’s iconic Statue of the Sun sculpture. There’s a lot to love about artist Kenji Yanobe’s new installation, BIG CAT BANG, and it’s now on view to the public...
diamond geezer
Old Bexley & Sidcup
I've not been especially balanced in my recent reporting of the capital.
• Yesterday I went to...
6 months ago
I've not been especially balanced in my recent reporting of the capital.
• Yesterday I went to Carpenters Road in the constituency of Stratford & Bow where Labour's Uma Kumaran is going to walk it.
• The day before I went to Ham in the constituency of Richmond Park where Liberal...
Cheese and Biscuits
The Bear, Camberwell
Despite Camberwell's increasing reputation for all kinds (and all budgets) of great food, it still...
7 months ago
Despite Camberwell's increasing reputation for all kinds (and all budgets) of great food, it still seemed unlikely that this bare-bones pub, just opposite the Walworth bus depot and furnished, as far as I could tell, with tables and chairs nicked from the local secondary school,...
Londonist
Fancy Eating Cricket-Topped Hummus At This Bug-Based Restaurant?
Celeb chefs dish up bugs at this pop-up.
a year ago
Celeb chefs dish up bugs at this pop-up.
AFAR Media - Travel...
Tips for Exploring L.A.'s Northern Shopping Districts
2 months ago
Londonist
Beavers Are Back In London For The First Time In 400 Years
This'll bring a toothy grin to your face.
a year ago
This'll bring a toothy grin to your face.
Londonist
20 Remarkable Photos Of London In 1992
Concorde, IRA bombs and the Chippendales.
a year ago
Concorde, IRA bombs and the Chippendales.
Londonist
You Can Play With This Miniature Tube Train At Hounslow West Underground Station
There's no way you're not pressing that button.
a year ago
There's no way you're not pressing that button.
Londonist
Why Is There A Huge Mural Of Rembrandt On Mare Street, Hackney?
It's the return of the London Mural Festival.
a year ago
It's the return of the London Mural Festival.
AFAR Media - Travel...
What is a Dahabiya? A Guide to This Nile Cruise Option
a year ago
diamond geezer
Wyncham Stream
THE UNLOST RIVERS OF LONDON
Wyncham Stream
Chislehurst → Longlands → Blackfen (2½ miles)
Eight...
a year ago
THE UNLOST RIVERS OF LONDON
Wyncham Stream
Chislehurst → Longlands → Blackfen (2½ miles)
Eight years ago when I walked the River Shuttle, a proper unlost river, I apologised that I wouldn't be walking its tributary the Wyncham Stream. It's only a mile long, I said, and only...
diamond geezer
Sunday transport news
Some transport news
Central line news
well known in tubular circles that the longest direct...
9 months ago
Some transport news
Central line news
well known in tubular circles that the longest direct journey on the Underground is between Epping and West Ruislip on the Central line. It's 54.9km long (34.1 miles), comfortably ahead of Uxbridge to Cockfosters on the Piccadilly line...
Londonist
In Pictures: London's Tube Station Gardens
Which is your fave?
a year ago
diamond geezer
Burnt Oak Brook
THE UNLOST RIVERS OF LONDON
Burnt Oak Brook
Mill Hill → Burnt Oak (2 miles)
London's bountiful...
2 months ago
THE UNLOST RIVERS OF LONDON
Burnt Oak Brook
Mill Hill → Burnt Oak (2 miles)
London's bountiful supply of unlost rivers continues to provide opportunities for waterside walking if you know where to look. This one flows not far from Edgware and is yet another tributary of the Silk...
Londonist
Where To Be Scottish In London
Kilty pleasures
a year ago
Cheese and Biscuits
The Garden Museum Café, Lambeth
Beautiful 15th century Lambeth Palace is a strange London landmark - widely recognisable, with a...
10 months ago
Beautiful 15th century Lambeth Palace is a strange London landmark - widely recognisable, with a stately position Thames-side and passed by a number of busy bus routes, it is nevertheless very rarely visited, most of the main structures off-limits as the Archbishop of...
Londonist
57 Magnificent Things To Do In London This Month: March 2024
Art fairs, Comic Con, the Boat Races, and other March events.
9 months ago
Art fairs, Comic Con, the Boat Races, and other March events.
Londonist
A Free Bowie Exhibition In London's Golden Fitzrovia Chapel
A London Day lands in March.
10 months ago
A London Day lands in March.
diamond geezer
completely screwed at the moment
I was on the Central line the other day and there was a 15 minute gap between trains. You might...
10 months ago
I was on the Central line the other day and there was a 15 minute gap between trains. You might expect this kind of thing at the extremities or late at night, but not at Bethnal Green mid-morning. "Sorry, we're going to be held here for 5 minutes," said the driver. "This is due...
diamond geezer
Wimbledon expands
Last week the Deputy Mayor approved the All England Club's planning application to build 39 new...
2 months ago
Last week the Deputy Mayor approved the All England Club's planning application to build 39 new tennis courts across Wimbledon Park. But was that decision right or was it wrong?
extend across the road with a new show court and dozens of practice courts, and throw in a new...
AFAR Media - Travel...
How Asheville’s Nature Inspires Local Chef, Ashleigh Shanti
a year ago
diamond geezer
London Countries - Albania
For the avoidance of doubt, I will not be writing a full alphabetical series of posts called London...
7 months ago
For the avoidance of doubt, I will not be writing a full alphabetical series of posts called London Countries.
But think more deeply and it's actually a terrible idea, at least in its entirety, which is why it won't be happening.
Albania and I'd be starting to scrape the...
diamond geezer
Walking between Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3
A Nice Walk: Heathrow T2 to T3 (500m)
Sometimes you just want to go for a nice walk, nothing too...
6 months ago
A Nice Walk: Heathrow T2 to T3 (500m)
Sometimes you just want to go for a nice walk, nothing too taxing, a bit of a stroll, world class transport connections, dry in all weathers, popular with tourists, moving walkways, duty free opportunities, entirely step-free, won't take...
Londonist
The Killer 1962 Smog Of London
And no, we don't mean 1952.
a year ago
And no, we don't mean 1952.
Cheese and Biscuits
Xi Home Dumplings Bay,
I often like to look up the situation of restaurants I'm heading out to on Google Streetview, just...
2 months ago
I often like to look up the situation of restaurants I'm heading out to on Google Streetview, just so I know what to expect when I get off the bus and lessen (though not completely mitigate) the chance I might head off in completely the wrong direction. I wouldn't recommend doing...
Spoon & Tamago
A New Brewery in Yobuko Wants to Revive the Former Whaling Town
Photos by Hiroshi Mizusaki courtesy Case-Real Architects The Town of Yobuko, located at the tip of...
a year ago
Photos by Hiroshi Mizusaki courtesy Case-Real Architects The Town of Yobuko, located at the tip of North-Western Kyushu, is named after the migratory path that whales swam. Beginning in the 1700s, Yobuko prospered as a whaling town, birthing the idiom, a single whale flourishes...
Londonist
The Iconic Harry Beck Map But Make It Aeroplanes
But is everything as it seems?
a year ago
But is everything as it seems?
diamond geezer
Marylebone
MARYLEBONE
STATION
🚂
£200
London's Monopoly Streets
MARYLEBONE STATION
Group: British...
7 months ago
MARYLEBONE
STATION
🚂
£200
London's Monopoly Streets
MARYLEBONE STATION
Group: British Railways
Purchase price: £200
Rent: £25
Annual passengers: 10 million
Borough: Westminster
Postcode: NW1
that question, announcements on the Bakerloo line pronounce it MARR-le-bone.
A...
Londonist
Things To Do In London Over The Bank Holiday Weekend
Ways to fill a long weekend in the capital.
9 months ago
Ways to fill a long weekend in the capital.
Londonist
Things To Do In London On Christmas Day
Guided tours, river trips and Christmas lunch.
a year ago
Guided tours, river trips and Christmas lunch.
Londonist
Eurostar Launches Flash Sale - With Tickets From £35
Dépêchez-vous!
9 months ago
Londonist
How To See London's Christmas Lights By Bus
Watch the illuminations roll past, from your moquette throne.
a year ago
Watch the illuminations roll past, from your moquette throne.
Londonist
Best Of Londonist: 1-7 April 2024
Our top stories from the last seven days.
8 months ago
Our top stories from the last seven days.
Londonist
Just How Bad Is The Air Quality On The Tube?
A look at particle levels on tube platforms.
a year ago
A look at particle levels on tube platforms.
Londonist
Plunge Into An Icy Brockwell Lido For Charity This Christmas
The Icebreaker challenge is back.
a year ago
The Icebreaker challenge is back.
Londonist
The Ghosts Of Oxford Street: The Ultimate London Christmas Film?
Part musical, part 'secrets of', part who-knows-what.
a year ago
Part musical, part 'secrets of', part who-knows-what.
Londonist
Best Of Londonist: 21-27 August 2023
EVERY brewery taproom, a view higher than the Shard, and NFL in London.
a year ago
EVERY brewery taproom, a view higher than the Shard, and NFL in London.
diamond geezer
The London Overground line names post
The phased introduction of six new Overground line names has begun.
Before we get into all that,...
a month ago
The phased introduction of six new Overground line names has begun.
Before we get into all that, let's get the new names out of the way.
we did all that back then.
First important thing: If anyone posts any line name comments on any future post, I will shift them back to...
diamond geezer
Route 59
Route 59: Smithfield to Streatham Hill
Location: London south, inner
Length of bus journey: 6 miles,...
9 months ago
Route 59: Smithfield to Streatham Hill
Location: London south, inner
Length of bus journey: 6 miles, 55 minutes
It's traditional around every birthday that I take a numerically significant bus journey. Seventeen years ago I took the 42 to Dulwich, then subsequently the 43 to...
Londonist
"Sensationally Naff": The 1995 Plans To Rebrand Tube Stations After Advertisers
Tube sponsorship is nothing new.
9 months ago
Tube sponsorship is nothing new.
Londonist
TfL Poppy Roundels: Here Are The Underground And Overground Stations Where You'll Find Them
London's trains and buses are 'wearing' poppies too.
a year ago
London's trains and buses are 'wearing' poppies too.
Spoon & Tamago
Make Daily Life Comical With Manga Sound Effects
These acrylic manga sound effects are the perfect item to introduce some comical playfulness into...
a year ago
These acrylic manga sound effects are the perfect item to introduce some comical playfulness into your room or office. Need to drop off a stack of documents for your coworker to review? The ドーン sound effect accentuates the weight and intimidation of the pile. Want to show off you...
diamond geezer
Dangleway Week (3)
Danglegeek (6) Final facts
• Did you know that if your Dangleway journey is delayed for 15...
a year ago
Danglegeek (6) Final facts
• Did you know that if your Dangleway journey is delayed for 15 minutes or more by bad weather, customer incidents, engineering works, security alerts or strikes you may be able to get a refund. It says so on the delay repay webpage.
TfL website, one...
diamond geezer
Planned closures
An extraordinary number of Underground lines are closed this morning.
By my calculations that's...
a year ago
An extraordinary number of Underground lines are closed this morning.
By my calculations that's 67 stations with no train service of any kind, or 25% of the entire tube network. What's more only 23 of these are getting a replacement bus service. Residents of Stanmore, Turnham...
The Forney Flyer
Flood Relief Flying
You may remember that I mentioned in a previous blog post a few weeks ago, that there had been...
over a year ago
You may remember that I mentioned in a previous blog post a few weeks ago, that there had been severe floods in Western Uganda (and other parts of the country) in early-mid May. Well, several weeks later, we were given special permission by various authorities to fly relief...
diamond geezer
Doors
Doors (by Christian Marclay)
White Cube, Masons Yard
6-30 September 2023
10am-6pm, closed Sunday and...
a year ago
Doors (by Christian Marclay)
White Cube, Masons Yard
6-30 September 2023
10am-6pm, closed Sunday and Monday
Christian Marclay is always a treat, if what you enjoy is an exemplarily-crafted audio-visual montage. He's best known for The Clock, a 24 hour compilation of clips from...
Londonist
A Bald Man Chooses His Favourite Bald Spots In London
The O2, the huge Hitchcock head - which is your fave?
9 months ago
The O2, the huge Hitchcock head - which is your fave?
AFAR Media - Travel...
An Alberta Winter Getaway for Nature, Wellness, and Culture
a month ago
Spoon & Tamago
Oyane-san Blending Tradition with Modern Technology In Shikokumura
Welcome to Oyane-san, affectionately known as "Honorable Roof," standing proudly at the foot of...
8 months ago
Welcome to Oyane-san, affectionately known as "Honorable Roof," standing proudly at the foot of Mount Yashima on Shikoku Island.
Related posts:
Buddhist Monks are Getting All the Love
Now Open: The New Oita Prefectural Art Museum Designed by Shigeru Ban
SANAA’s New Sublime River...
Cheese and Biscuits
The London Shell Co., Highgate
The first time I went to the London Shell Co., I hated it. This was nothing to do with the food, and...
a year ago
The first time I went to the London Shell Co., I hated it. This was nothing to do with the food, and everything to do with my aversion to anything boaty, and being trapped on one for the best part of 2 1/2 hours as it punted around the dark, damp Regent's canal in the middle of...
Londonist
Dickens Tourism In London Has Been A Thing Since Victorian Times
And you won't believe who started it, either...
a year ago
And you won't believe who started it, either...
diamond geezer
Unwritten
Seven posts that I considered writing today but they were going nowhere so I didn't finish...
a year ago
Seven posts that I considered writing today but they were going nowhere so I didn't finish them
What's the lowest numbered A road you've never driven on?
Wow didn't it just get cold?
the temperature in my living room for three years. I note the indoor temperature first thing...
diamond geezer
I'd never do that
I caught the train from Whitechapel to Stratford, just the one stop, and saw lots of people doings...
4 months ago
I caught the train from Whitechapel to Stratford, just the one stop, and saw lots of people doings things I'd never do.
The woman alongside was eating chips, and I'd never do that. The smell of hot food always permeates, indeed her wafting fried odour proved this, so I prefer...
diamond geezer
Thames Water
"Sorry, we might go bust next year," is not what you want to hear from your water company. Ideally...
a year ago
"Sorry, we might go bust next year," is not what you want to hear from your water company. Ideally we wouldn't have water companies at all, we'd have one competent publicly owned authority, but we are where we are and this is the shitshow we've ended up with. So I wondered, how...
Londonist
We're Getting Fired Up About This Hot Sauce Festival In Peckham
Enjoy the spicier things in life.
8 months ago
Enjoy the spicier things in life.
Londonist
Londonist Speaks To Aunty Donna About Mayors, Theft... And The Word 'Piccadilly'
Comic Aussie surrealists are in town.
a year ago
Comic Aussie surrealists are in town.
Londonist
TfL Poppy Roundels: Here Are The Underground And Overground Stations Where You'll Find Them
London's trains and buses are 'wearing' poppies too.
a year ago
London's trains and buses are 'wearing' poppies too.
AFAR Media - Travel...
You Can See the 2024 Solar Eclipse During This 22-Day Cruise
a year ago
Londonist
Around London In 11 Fish
Sculptures, puns and some actual real fish.
11 months ago
Sculptures, puns and some actual real fish.
Cheese and Biscuits
Crocadon, Cornwall
Great restaurants often involve a great journey, and the journey to Crocadon, for everyone involved,...
a year ago
Great restaurants often involve a great journey, and the journey to Crocadon, for everyone involved, staff and guests, is greater than most. Dan Cox was head chef at Fera at Claridges when I last sampled his cooking, and although the restaurant eventually turned out to be a bit...
Spoon & Tamago
Shibuya Unveils Graphics Discouraging Halloween Parties in Their Ward
After the tragic and fatal Halloween crowd crush that occured in Seoul last year, Tokyo’s Shibuya...
a year ago
After the tragic and fatal Halloween crowd crush that occured in Seoul last year, Tokyo’s Shibuya ward, which has increasingly become a go-to spot for Halloween parties—often with dangerous consequences—is taking preemptive measures to discourage people from congregating in their...
Londonist
Best Of Londonist: 15-21 January 2024
The best articles from the past week.
11 months ago
The best articles from the past week.
Londonist
Ian McKellen Is Back Doing Shakespeare On The London Stage In 2024
Player Kings launches in the spring.
a year ago
Player Kings launches in the spring.
diamond geezer
Unblogged December
28 unblogged things I did in December
Fri 1: My monthly electricity bill arrived and it was an...
12 months ago
28 unblogged things I did in December
Fri 1: My monthly electricity bill arrived and it was an estimate, except that after several months of them assuming I'd used 40 kWh they'd suddenly decided I'd used 192 kWh. The bloke on the helpline couldn't explain the massive hike ("no, I...
Londonist
East London Could Be Getting This Flashy New Lido
What a beaut.
a year ago
diamond geezer
Last week unblogged
10 things I've seen/done/read over the last week
Tuesday (a): Last week I wrote a post about...
10 months ago
10 things I've seen/done/read over the last week
Tuesday (a): Last week I wrote a post about housing built on former airfields. Today I found myself standing outside some housing built on a former airfield, a fact made plain by someone mounting a model plane on the front of one...
diamond geezer
I'll look it up later
Sometimes while out and about I see something intriguing, take a photo and research it when I get...
11 months ago
Sometimes while out and about I see something intriguing, take a photo and research it when I get home. Here are three of this week's serendipitous discoveries.
North: Gilpin's Bell
Where: Fore Street, Edmonton, N18
What I thought: Hmm, what's that lump of concrete in the...