diamond geezer
The zone 1 challenge
It's time once again to go on a pointlessly challenging train journey.
How many zone 1 stations can...
2 months ago
It's time once again to go on a pointlessly challenging train journey.
How many zone 1 stations can you travel through without repeating any?
And there are 72 zone 1 stations altogether, so it's going to be a long journey.
It's perhaps best to think of the question as...
Londonist
12 (Fairly) Festive Things To Do Near London: December 2023
Charming events within easy reach of London.
a year ago
Charming events within easy reach of London.
Londonist
Sh!t Show: Exhibition Of Toilet Graffiti Comes To London In January
Not your bog standard art outing.
a year ago
Not your bog standard art outing.
The Forney Flyer
Run For Radios
This week our whole family ran for radios in support of Every Village. If you're not familiar with...
over a year ago
This week our whole family ran for radios in support of Every Village. If you're not familiar with them, take a moment to check them out now.
Joy and the kids walked a brisk (and dizzying) 32 laps around our yard...
...which not coincidentally equals a solid 5K!
As I've...
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...
Cheese and Biscuits
The Silver Birch, Chiswick
It's a pleasant novelty to, for once, not be opening a post about an excellent neighbourhood...
a year ago
It's a pleasant novelty to, for once, not be opening a post about an excellent neighbourhood restaurant without a resigned grump about the lack of such places in my own particular neighbourhood. Until recently, my fellow SW11 residents had very little to be proud of (and even...
diamond geezer
Bow Road
Anyone can visit Bow Road for free.
20 things to see on Bow Road
n.b. The following are all things...
a year ago
Anyone can visit Bow Road for free.
20 things to see on Bow Road
n.b. The following are all things I haven't blogged about before.
Odds
1) Autumn is a particularly good season to see Bow Road because many of our trees do the pretty yellow thing before the leaves fall...
Londonist
The Top Exhibitions To See In London In November 2023
David Hockney, Antony Gormley and some strange creatures.
a year ago
David Hockney, Antony Gormley and some strange creatures.
Londonist
Things To Look Forward To In London In 2024
The biggest things happening in the capital over the next 12 months.
12 months ago
The biggest things happening in the capital over the next 12 months.
AFAR Media - Travel...
A Guide to D.C. for Music Lovers by Local Musician Neffy
7 months ago
Londonist
Free And Cheap Things To Do This Week In London: 13-19 November 2023
Things to do for under a fiver.
a year ago
Things to do for under a fiver.
Londonist
Wish You Were (Still) Here: Euston Station's Great Hall
It would've been 175 years old this year... if it hadn't been reduced to rubble.
11 months ago
It would've been 175 years old this year... if it hadn't been reduced to rubble.
Cheese and Biscuits
The Royal Oak, Whatcote
There are so many different types of restaurant, so much variety in the ways and manner and styles...
3 months ago
There are so many different types of restaurant, so much variety in the ways and manner and styles that we eat out, that sometimes it's amazing we find anything in common about the experience at all. And yet somehow we do, and restaurant critics and food blogs exist because, by...
Londonist
Things To Do This Weekend In London: 16-17 December 2023
Festive pursuits, family events, and a huge horse show.
a year ago
Festive pursuits, family events, and a huge horse show.
Spoon & Tamago
Photographer Meticulously Recreates Images of Chickens Painted by Edo-Era Artist Ito Jakuchu
Edo-era painter Ito Jakuchu (1716-1800) excelled at capturing the flora and fauna of the natural...
6 months ago
Edo-era painter Ito Jakuchu (1716-1800) excelled at capturing the flora and fauna of the natural world, a skill that extended to remarkable depictions of birds. In particular, chickens were a common theme for the artist and it was said that Jakuchu owned many of them, and allowed...
AFAR Media - Travel...
7 New Luxury Hotels in California You Should Know About
10 months ago
diamond geezer
Preparing rail fares for contactless
The cost of travelling by train between London and Southend is changing.
In today's post I'm going...
a year ago
The cost of travelling by train between London and Southend is changing.
In today's post I'm going to focus on fares between Southend Central and Fenchurch Street to keep things simple but similar changes apply to other journeys. Also this kind of model is rolling out on other...
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.
Londonist
Things To Do In London In The Easter Holidays 2024
Family-friendly events in the capital this spring.
9 months ago
Family-friendly events in the capital this spring.
Cheese and Biscuits
Nandine, Camberwell
Another week, another fantastic new restaurant in Camberwell. I try not to moan too much on this...
10 months ago
Another week, another fantastic new restaurant in Camberwell. I try not to moan too much on this site about the fact that certain areas of town seem overly saturated with great places to eat, while others have to wait decades between worthwhile new options, but it's hard not to...
Londonist
Things To Do This Weekend In London: 2-3 December 2023
It's beginning to look a lot like Chr...
a year ago
It's beginning to look a lot like Chr...
diamond geezer
Unblogged November
30 unblogged things I did in November
Wed 1: I went to peripheral Hadley Wood and walked the length...
a year ago
30 unblogged things I did in November
Wed 1: I went to peripheral Hadley Wood and walked the length of peripheral Waggon Road, having climbed the peripheral footpath over the tunnel portal. In the process I spent 30 seconds in Hertfordshire, which it turns out is the last time I...
Londonist
Christmas Transport In London: What's Running, What's Closed, And What About Those Strikes?
Fingers crossed we have a strike-free festive period...
a year ago
Fingers crossed we have a strike-free festive period...
Londonist
Things To Do In London On New Year's Eve
31 December events and parties in London.
a year ago
31 December events and parties in London.
Londonist
Eid In Trafalgar Square: Muslim Celebrations Return This April
End of Ramadan marked in style.
9 months ago
End of Ramadan marked in style.
Londonist
"The Tube Is Ripe For Comedy - So I Wrote A Play About It"
Chances are you'll recognise some of the characters in Cockfosters.
a year ago
Chances are you'll recognise some of the characters in Cockfosters.
diamond geezer
On multiple OS maps
This is the town of Purley.
three OS Landranger maps.
Landranger maps, each drawn to a scale of...
4 months ago
This is the town of Purley.
three OS Landranger maps.
Landranger maps, each drawn to a scale of 1:50000, and between them they cover the whole of Great Britain and its islands.
maps tend to align precisely with their neighbours so places appear on one or the other. But...
AFAR Media - Travel...
Discover the Artistic Side of Aspen: A Guide for Culture Lovers
7 months ago
Londonist
Things To Do In London Between Christmas And New Year
For when you can't take any more festive TV.
a year ago
For when you can't take any more festive TV.
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...
Londonist
Modern London Is Beautiful In This New Photographic Book
London: A Modern City in Photographs by Mathew Browne.
a year ago
London: A Modern City in Photographs by Mathew Browne.
Londonist
Things To Do This Weekend In London: 28-29 October 2023
London's newest exhibitions, plus Halloween events, rugby screenings and more.
a year ago
London's newest exhibitions, plus Halloween events, rugby screenings and more.
Londonist
Explore Notre-Dame Cathedral... From Westminster Abbey
Hit augmented reality experience comes to London.
11 months ago
Hit augmented reality experience comes to London.
diamond geezer
QEOP after dark
The Olympic Park is pretty after dark.
This is Pudding Mill Lane, a massively-overengineered DLR...
a year ago
The Olympic Park is pretty after dark.
This is Pudding Mill Lane, a massively-overengineered DLR station whose time only came when ABBA unexpectedly turned up.
After dark it acts as a beacon of light amid a still-undeveloped Olympic neighbourhood. The word being reflected in...
diamond geezer
September events diary 2024
It's almost September again but never fear, London's putting on a last flurry of events, activities...
3 months ago
It's almost September again but never fear, London's putting on a last flurry of events, activities and happenings before the nights draw in and we're all invited. Here's my weekend-by-weekend guide to free September delights.
All month
Totally Thames (Sep 1-30): Once again a...
AFAR Media - Travel...
Aspen Uncovered: How to Explore the City Like a True Local
7 months ago
AFAR Media - Travel...
How Washington, D.C. is Leading the Way in Accessible Travel
a year ago
Cheese and Biscuits
The Barn at Moor Hall, Ormskirk
In restaurants that offer both an A La Carte and parallel set menu I often play a bit of a thought...
4 months ago
In restaurants that offer both an A La Carte and parallel set menu I often play a bit of a thought experiment. If there was no such separation of options, and if all the dishes available were priced evenly on the same list, which would I end up going for?
Set menus (usually,...
Cheese and Biscuits
Cord, Fleet Street
Basil Fawlty:
Mr. Johnson:
Basil Fawlty:
Mr. Johnson:
Basil Fawlty:
Mr. Johnson:
Basil...
a year ago
Basil Fawlty:
Mr. Johnson:
Basil Fawlty:
Mr. Johnson:
Basil Fawlty:
Mr. Johnson:
Basil Fawlty:
gralefrit, we idolised the food of France, where they did things properly. Whipped into shape back in the 19th century by towering figures like Escoffier, French cuisine...
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.
AFAR Media - Travel...
10 Great All-Inclusive Hyatt Resorts in Mexico & Caribbean
a year ago
Londonist
The Cosmic House: A Surreal Mansion You Can Visit In Kensington
Warning: article could lead to serious house envy.
a year ago
Warning: article could lead to serious house envy.
diamond geezer
It's official
Journalists working at various media portals are under increasing pressure to churn out more and...
2 months ago
Journalists working at various media portals are under increasing pressure to churn out more and more stories because the more they write the more page views they get. Clickbait isn't going away any time soon. But a trope that's sadly gathering more prominence lately is a...
Londonist
12 Spring Day Trips From London: March 2024
Daffodils, dinosaurs and British fashion icons.
9 months ago
Daffodils, dinosaurs and British fashion icons.
diamond geezer
Bow Roundabout update #2
Roadworks are supposed to have started at the Bow Roundabout but they haven't yet, indeed it's...
3 months ago
Roadworks are supposed to have started at the Bow Roundabout but they haven't yet, indeed it's possible they've actually been put back by two weeks. This is somewhat peeving given substantial bus mitigation has already taken place - five routes have had their frequency...
diamond geezer
PR bumf round-up
I haven't whinged about unsolicited PR emails for a while because I don't get as many as I used to....
2 weeks ago
I haven't whinged about unsolicited PR emails for a while because I don't get as many as I used to. But they still trickle in, generally from hopeful marketeers with a press release to regurgitate or a plea to amplify some sponsored content. We don't do that here, thanks.
Zarya...
Londonist
"As Long As 13 London Buses": The Curious, Spurious Comparisons We Find In The Media
What as tall as six Nelson's Columns?
9 months ago
What as tall as six Nelson's Columns?
AFAR Media - Travel...
New Resy Promo Will Give You $99 Off at These Restaurants
a year ago
Spoon & Tamago
Noriko Sugiyama Transforms Old Kimono Into Luxurious Landscapes
all images courtesy Noriko Sugiyama Noriko Sugiyama is a self-taught artist who works with discarded...
10 months ago
all images courtesy Noriko Sugiyama Noriko Sugiyama is a self-taught artist who works with discarded kimono and obi, which she masterfully upcylces to create landscapes brimming with energy and hope. But her path to artistry has been anything but conventional. Now at the age of...
Cheese and Biscuits
Nord, Liverpool
In a town that already plays host to wonderful places like Wreckfish and Manifest, you'd think that...
a year ago
In a town that already plays host to wonderful places like Wreckfish and Manifest, you'd think that the opening of another reasonably-priced, seasonal modern British restaurant in the centre of Liverpool would be a shoo-in for success. With demand already proven for this kind of...
Londonist
Where To Celebrate Diwali 2023 In London
Including the huge, free Diwali Festival.
a year ago
Including the huge, free Diwali Festival.
Cheese and Biscuits
Cafe Kitty, Soho
For someone who spends an unhealthy amount of time thinking about and reading about restaurants, I...
5 months ago
For someone who spends an unhealthy amount of time thinking about and reading about restaurants, I consider it a personal failing that I didn't connect Cafe Kitty (Soho) with Kitty Fisher's (Mayfair) until it came up in conversation about halfway through dinner. In my defence,...
Londonist
Things To Do This Weekend In London: 13-14 January 2024
Circus, comedy, drag, live music and more.
11 months ago
Circus, comedy, drag, live music and more.
Londonist
V&A East - Brand New Museum Opening In 2025 Announces Its First Exhibition
The Music Is Black: A British Story will get the ball rolling.
a year ago
The Music Is Black: A British Story will get the ball rolling.
Londonist
25 Cheap Ways For Young People To See Culture In London
All the best discounts.
8 months ago
Londonist
The Notable Benches Of London
64 unusual benches in one graphic (you might want to sit down).
10 months ago
64 unusual benches in one graphic (you might want to sit down).
Londonist
Things To Do This August Bank Holiday Weekend In London: 26-28 August 2023
Carnival! Concerts! A food festival! Dog shows!
a year ago
Carnival! Concerts! A food festival! Dog shows!
Londonist
'Eatalong' With Kevin Mac Allister At These Special Home Alone Screenings
Including a dish called a 'Filthy Animals'.
a year ago
Including a dish called a 'Filthy Animals'.
diamond geezer
Open House (1)
Yesterday's Open House tally was eight.
• The iconic building on the other side of London where it...
a year ago
Yesterday's Open House tally was eight.
• The iconic building on the other side of London where it looked like they were offering walk-up tours including a rooftop visit, so I went out of my way to attend only to find that the tour in fact required booking and was full, plus it...
Londonist
That Kiosk Outside The National Portrait Gallery Is About To Reopen As A Cafe
From Victorian toilet block, to ticket booth... and now a bougie cafe!
a year ago
From Victorian toilet block, to ticket booth... and now a bougie cafe!
Londonist
Artist Will Lie On Tower Bridge's Glass Walkway All Day This Saturday
Thought-provoking work from Anahita Harding.
9 months ago
Thought-provoking work from Anahita Harding.
diamond geezer
Mayfair
MAYFAIR
£400
London's Monopoly Streets
MAYFAIR
Colour group: dark blue
Purchase price:...
2 days ago
MAYFAIR
£400
London's Monopoly Streets
MAYFAIR
Colour group: dark blue
Purchase price: £400
Rent: £50
Area: 1km²
Borough: Westminster
Postcode: W1
Mayfair was mostly fields until the late 17th century when Sir Thomas Grosvenor, a Cheshire baronet, made an exceptionally...
diamond geezer
Fleet Street
FLEET
STREET
£220
London's Monopoly Streets
FLEET STREET
Colour group: red
Purchase price:...
5 months ago
FLEET
STREET
£220
London's Monopoly Streets
FLEET STREET
Colour group: red
Purchase price: £220
Rent: £18
Length: 500m
Borough: City of London
Postcode: EC4
Fleet Street precisely links the edge of the ancient walled city (at Ludgate) to the edge of the expanded medieval...
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.
Spoon & Tamago
Go See 5.3 Million Baby Blue Eye Flowers at Hitachi Seaside Park in Japan
photo by teerayut hiruntaraporn Japan’s cherry blossoms usually get all the attention for their...
a year ago
photo by teerayut hiruntaraporn Japan’s cherry blossoms usually get all the attention for their short-lived beauty. But equally ephemeral are Japan’s Nemophila, or Baby Blue Eyes. And once a year, around late April to Early May, an astounding sea of 5.3 million of these little...
AFAR Media - Travel...
Ways to Get Outside at Iberostar Hotels, Dominican Republic
a year ago
diamond geezer
Pall Mall
PALL MALL
£140
London's Monopoly Streets
PALL MALL
Colour group: pink
Purchase price:...
8 months ago
PALL MALL
£140
London's Monopoly Streets
PALL MALL
Colour group: pink
Purchase price: £140
Rent: £10
Length: 500m
Borough: Westminster
Postcode: SW1
Pall Mall is the first of the pinks, all of which lead off Trafalgar Square, and a classically posh street to boot. At less...
AFAR Media - Travel...
6 Reasons To Travel by Private Yacht in Croatia
10 months ago
diamond geezer
A skinflint's guide to visiting London's zoos
A skinflint's guide to visiting London's zoos
London Zoo is an acclaimed repository of...
a year ago
A skinflint's guide to visiting London's zoos
London Zoo is an acclaimed repository of globally-sourced animals, as well as a conservation hub and a prestige tourist attraction. But it's a bit pricey with tickets costing £27 on weekdays and £31 at weekends, or even more on the...
diamond geezer
Apple Day
From: Diamond Geezer Content Producing Minion 17
To: Diamond Geezer Content Coordination...
a year ago
From: Diamond Geezer Content Producing Minion 17
To: Diamond Geezer Content Coordination Tsar
Apple Day.
From: Diamond Geezer Content Coordination Tsar
To: Diamond Geezer Content Producing Minion 17
From: Diamond Geezer Content Producing Minion 17
To: Diamond Geezer ...
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
London New Year's Day Parade 2024: A Guide
Route, timings and where to watch the 1 January shindig.
a year ago
Route, timings and where to watch the 1 January shindig.
Cheese and Biscuits
Archway, Battersea Park
Firstly, I have a confession to make. Many years ago I was very kindly treated to lunch at the River...
a year ago
Firstly, I have a confession to make. Many years ago I was very kindly treated to lunch at the River Café in Hammersmith, and I didn't like it. I think I was mainly intimidated - by the well-heeled crowd, the scale and the power of that vast dining room and open kitchen, and yes,...
AFAR Media - Travel...
Family-Friendly Vacations on Alabama's Gulf Shores and Orange Beach
a year ago
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.
Londonist
Exciting News For London Art Lovers!
A special offer just in time for the Easter holidays
9 months ago
A special offer just in time for the Easter holidays
AFAR Media - Travel...
Embark on island-hopping adventures and explore ancient wineries in Croatia
10 months 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
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.
Spoon & Tamago
Cherry Blossom Trees Sprout From Terunobu Fujimori’s ‘Kodamari Fuji’ Lodge
The quaint village of Fujimi is located near the border of Nagano and Yamanashi Prefectures. Time...
a year ago
The quaint village of Fujimi is located near the border of Nagano and Yamanashi Prefectures. Time tends to pass a bit more slowly here where rice paddies overlook the Southern Alps, Mt. Yatsugatake, and Mt. Fuji. It’s here that architect-extraordinaire Terunobu Fujimori decided...
Londonist
The Golden Age Of Transatlantic Travel Hides In Plain Sight By Trafalgar Square
Cockspur Street was a cornucopia of cruise line companies.
a year ago
Cockspur Street was a cornucopia of cruise line companies.
Spoon & Tamago
Post-Apocalyptic Illustrations of Tokyo in Ruins
Shinjuku Station – the road has collapsed on the South side of the station, revealing pools of blue...
a year ago
Shinjuku Station – the road has collapsed on the South side of the station, revealing pools of blue water that have formed on the train tracks Stories about the collapse of civilization and order—apocalyptic stories—endlessly seduce us. As terrifying as the real thing would...
AFAR Media - Travel...
The 10 Least Visited U.S. National Parks and How to Visit
a year ago
Londonist
RAF Hornchurch: Visit The Fascinating Museum Of This East London Airfield
Zeppelins, Guinea Pigs and the Great Escape.
a year ago
Zeppelins, Guinea Pigs and the Great Escape.
The Forney Flyer
Rib Day - 2 Year Anniversary Celebration!
Two years ago, on October 17th, this happened...
Long story short, I got knocked off my...
over a year ago
Two years ago, on October 17th, this happened...
Long story short, I got knocked off my motorcycle by a drunk driver, and then a different vehicle, a large Toyota Landcruiser (SUV) promptly drove over me, right across my torso. I should have died right then and there, and...
Londonist
London's Working Class History Celebrated With 8 Exciting New Projects
Historic England announces new funding.
10 months ago
Historic England announces new funding.
Londonist
Charlie Brown's - The Story Of Limehouse's Incredible 'Pub Museum'
An Aladdin's Cave in the East End.
a year ago
An Aladdin's Cave in the East End.
diamond geezer
The 'Inside The Circle Line' Tube Challenge
Let's celebrate the cancellation of today's tube strike by tackling a really pointless...
a year ago
Let's celebrate the cancellation of today's tube strike by tackling a really pointless challenge.
The 'Inside The Circle Line' Tube Challenge
No station can be visited more than once.
So, for example, you might ride one stop from Queensway to Lancaster Gate, then get out...
diamond geezer
Random borough 2
Twenty years ago today I brought you my very first Random Borough report from the London borough of...
9 months ago
Twenty years ago today I brought you my very first Random Borough report from the London borough of Merton. But it was fairly brief - most of my posts were back then - so two decades on I'm having another go to do Merton justice. Yesterday somewhere sporty and somewhere pretty,...
AFAR Media - Travel...
A Myrtle Beach Travel Guide for Travelers with Disabilities
3 months ago
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
The 47th President
Two months ago I asked you the following question.
Who do you think will be the next American...
a month ago
Two months ago I asked you the following question.
Who do you think will be the next American President? (poll closed)
Kamala
HARRIS
comments (71)
Donald
TRUMP
comments (29)
And now here we are the morning after the election. A red dawn is rising.
10 comments from readers...
Londonist
A Brief History Of The Metropolitan Line
The world's first underground railway.
a year ago
The world's first underground railway.
Spoon & Tamago
You’ll Soon Be Able to Stay in One of Japan’s Most Beautifully Designed Prisons
photos by Masashi Mizowaki and Takaharu Yagi Spending the night in jail is usually not a good thing....
a year ago
photos by Masashi Mizowaki and Takaharu Yagi Spending the night in jail is usually not a good thing. Unless of course you’re staying in Japan’s Nara Prison, a historic red-brick structure built in 1908 with western archways and onion domes that lend an air of castle more than...
diamond geezer
nonetheless
In January 2020 I wrote a post listing all the places I'd bought a new Pet Shop Boys album. It...
7 months ago
In January 2020 I wrote a post listing all the places I'd bought a new Pet Shop Boys album. It started with me buying Please on cassette from Our Price in Watford High Street on 24th March 1986, and ended as follows.
Hotspot (24th January 2020)
Bought from: Sister Ray, Berwick...
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...
diamond geezer
Crossing the boundary
While I was in Enfield, heading away from the power station, I decided to depart across Sewardstone...
8 months ago
While I was in Enfield, heading away from the power station, I decided to depart across Sewardstone Marsh. Why exit the dull way when you can cross the Lea and walk through a minor Essex village? The riverside path passed nosey ponies and a pumping station and crossed three...
diamond geezer
The refillable water bottle tube map
If you were wondering what symbol would be added to the tube map next, how about a refillable water...
4 months ago
If you were wondering what symbol would be added to the tube map next, how about a refillable water bottle?
It's always obvious retrospectively.
Overground network, hence the map is titled "London Overground stations with free drinking water fountains". The new symbol thus...
AFAR Media - Travel...
Why The Sagamore Pendry Baltimore is The City's Best Hotel
a year ago
Londonist
Free And Cheap Things To Do This Week In London: 4-10 December 2023
Things to do for under a fiver.
a year ago
Things to do for under a fiver.
diamond geezer
20 questions hide and seek
I have no idea if this'll work but let's give it a try.
20 questions hide and seek
I'll be there...
a year ago
I have no idea if this'll work but let's give it a try.
20 questions hide and seek
I'll be there from 10am to 11am.
I shall have Squeezy Pig with me.
Your questions go in this comments box. comments if(postComments['89451144195511'] != null){document.write(' (' +...
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.
diamond geezer
London's most extreme roundabouts
London's most extreme roundabouts
i.e. the largest, smallest, deepest, farthest, earliest,...
3 months ago
London's most extreme roundabouts
i.e. the largest, smallest, deepest, farthest, earliest, weirdest, exitiest... all the extremes.
roundabout anyway, and will also have gaps, omissions and inaccuracies, but thankfully a lot of my readers are inquisitive research-friendly...
Londonist
Crystal Palace Park Dinosaurs Getting A Glow-Up - As Part Of Huge Park Revamp
Italian Terraces will also be restored and replanted with wildflowers.
9 months ago
Italian Terraces will also be restored and replanted with wildflowers.
Spoon & Tamago
The 2023 Spoon & Tamago Gift Guide
2023 felt like a turning point for Japan. After several years of covid-induced seclusion, tourism...
a year ago
2023 felt like a turning point for Japan. After several years of covid-induced seclusion, tourism rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. And although just anecdotal, so many people we spoke to who previously had no connection to Japan, were planning trips and honeymoons that it truly...
Londonist
Atlas of Imagined Cities: Who Lives Where in TV, Books, Games and Movies?
New book maps the worlds of fiction.
a year ago
New book maps the worlds of fiction.
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
Free Things To Do In London At Christmas
Budget-friendly Christmas events in the capital.
a year ago
Budget-friendly Christmas events in the capital.
diamond geezer
Unblogged January
31 unblogged things I did in January
Mon 1: I watched the New Year fireworks from the western edge...
10 months ago
31 unblogged things I did in January
Mon 1: I watched the New Year fireworks from the western edge of Canary Wharf, and they were a bit small and the Shard got in the way but at least I celebrated midnight at the right time, rather than slightly delayed on the telly.
Tue 2:...
diamond geezer
S2
This is the S2, a bus which ran between Clapton and my neck of the woods between 1970 and 2008, back...
9 months ago
This is the S2, a bus which ran between Clapton and my neck of the woods between 1970 and 2008, back when 'S' meant Stratford.
It now means Sutton, there already being an S1, S3 and S4 threading across the borough, but it's taken until 2024 for the gap to be filled with an...
Londonist
Chelsea In Bloom 2024: Giant Floral Caterpillar To Take Over Sloane Square
Free flower festival returns... with a foodie theme.
10 months ago
Free flower festival returns... with a foodie theme.
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!
Londonist
A Major Festival Of Czech Culture Is Returning To London
Made in Prague runs 3 Nov-10 Dec.
a year ago
Made in Prague runs 3 Nov-10 Dec.
Londonist
"Every Year We Do A Free Christmas Day Dinner At Our Wimbledon Pub, For People On Their Own"
Almost 200 people come to the Alex on 25 Dec.
a year ago
Almost 200 people come to the Alex on 25 Dec.
diamond geezer
Poohsticks Bridge
In deepest East Sussex, on the edge of Ashdown Forest, is a famous bridge where a six year-old boy...
4 months ago
In deepest East Sussex, on the edge of Ashdown Forest, is a famous bridge where a six year-old boy and a fictional bear invented a waterborne race.
There was a broad track, almost as broad as a road, leading from the Outland to the Forest, but before it could come to the...
Londonist
Shoreditch Has A New Secret Garden... On A Viaduct
Get eye-level with Village Underground's tube trains.
a year ago
Get eye-level with Village Underground's tube trains.
diamond geezer
Energen Close
While I was in Willesden, round the back of Taylors Lane Power Station, I came across this...
8 months ago
While I was in Willesden, round the back of Taylors Lane Power Station, I came across this oddly-named cul-de-sac. That's an odd name for a cul-de-sac, I thought. Why was Energen Close named after a private company?
Powergen, not Energen, although they were founded in 1989 so...
Londonist
London's Alleyway Pubs: 13 Of The Best
Some of the finest ye olde pubs in London.
10 months ago
Some of the finest ye olde pubs in London.
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...
The Forney Flyer
Nineteen Years of Joy, and Counting!
Nineteen years ago today, I married my best friend, Joy.
One year later our first child was...
over a year ago
Nineteen years ago today, I married my best friend, Joy.
One year later our first child was born...
... and well before his first birthday, we were commissioned by our church to head to the mission field. That was 17 years ago, and we've spent the vast majority of our...
Spoon & Tamago
Intricate and Organic Sculptures by Ceramicist Eriko Inazaki
These white and intricate forms appear to be the work of mother nature, sculpted over hundreds and...
a year ago
These white and intricate forms appear to be the work of mother nature, sculpted over hundreds and thousands of years. Instead, they’re the work of Japanese ceramicist Eriko Inazaki, who painstakingly shapes and assembles each prick and piece by hand. And in doing so, she’s...
diamond geezer
Ten ways to solve London's housing crisis
Ten ways to solve London's housing crisis
1) Pave over golf courses
golf courses in London covering...
a week ago
Ten ways to solve London's housing crisis
1) Pave over golf courses
golf courses in London covering approximately 3% of the capital by area, a ridiculously wasteful proportion. A lot of fairways are also very close to existing railway stations so could swiftly become a key part...
diamond geezer
Where Have You Been This Weekend?
It's been a busy weekend.
It must be the highlight of your weekend, not just something you also...
5 months ago
It's been a busy weekend.
It must be the highlight of your weekend, not just something you also did.
Where have diamond geezer readers been this weekend?
stayed indoors
Spent Monday to Friday walking the Cotswold Way so happy to have a rest this weekend.
sheepdog
to the...
Londonist
The Superloop Loop Completes This Weekend - With The Launch Of SL2
(But yes, we know there's a gap in the loop.)
9 months ago
(But yes, we know there's a gap in the loop.)
Cheese and Biscuits
64 Goodge Street, Fitzrovia
The first thing we were given to eat at 64 Goodge Street was a little plate of truffle-cream...
5 months ago
The first thing we were given to eat at 64 Goodge Street was a little plate of truffle-cream gougères topped with shaved Comté. These turned out to be important for two reasons - firstly, they weren't on the menu and as unannounced bonus extra dishes go you could hardly do more...
Londonist
A Map Of Women's History In London
From Boudicca to Rachel Whiteread.
9 months ago
From Boudicca to Rachel Whiteread.
AFAR Media - Travel...
Where to Explore Maine’s Outdoors and Dining—a Local's Guide
4 months ago
Spoon & Tamago
Japan Quietly Shines at Milan Design Week
Milan Design Week—Coachella, but for furniture—is running this week from April 16-21. All the...
8 months ago
Milan Design Week—Coachella, but for furniture—is running this week from April 16-21. All the biggest names and brands in the design world descend upon the Italian city, which sees its population swell by nearly 25%. Now in its 62nd iteration, the design extravaganza is an...
Londonist
Plans For Redevelopment Of Waterloo Station Revealed
New entrances and concourses are among the ideas.
9 months ago
New entrances and concourses are among the ideas.
diamond geezer
Stratford station has a new entrance
Stratford station has a new entrance.
Gibbins Road entrance and for most passengers it's of no use...
5 months ago
Stratford station has a new entrance.
Gibbins Road entrance and for most passengers it's of no use whatsoever.
Stratford station has a new entrance.
by the end of March but it didn't. It was due to open in May but it didn't. It's looked finished for ages but it clearly wasn't...
Londonist
Things To Do This Weekend In London: 14-15 October 2023
A rum festival, a new fashion exhibition, Cocktail Week and more.
a year ago
A rum festival, a new fashion exhibition, Cocktail Week and more.
Londonist
50+ Excellent Things To Do In London This Month: October 2023
Black History Month, live music, Comic Con and more.
a year ago
Black History Month, live music, Comic Con and more.
Londonist
70+ Spectacular Things To Do In London This Month: September 2023
Open House London! Plus a new music festival, fashion exhibitions, pole dancing, and sheep on the...
a year ago
Open House London! Plus a new music festival, fashion exhibitions, pole dancing, and sheep on the loose.
diamond geezer
Anorak corner (rail edition)
Anorak Corner [National Rail edition]
passenger data from across Britain's railway network, this...
a month ago
Anorak Corner [National Rail edition]
passenger data from across Britain's railway network, this batch covering the period April 2023 to March 2024.
The UK's ten busiest National Rail stations (2023/24) (with changes since 2022/23)
1) -- Liverpool Street (95m)
2) -- Paddington...
diamond geezer
dg Q&A
dg Q&A
Thank you for your questions.
How many spoons do you have?
Have you ever milked a...
6 months ago
dg Q&A
Thank you for your questions.
How many spoons do you have?
Have you ever milked a cow?
What did you have for lunch on 30th July 1989?
What's the most northerly object in your flat?
Which is the most-read Diamond Geezer post?
Does the UK have the worst pedestrian...
diamond geezer
The beetle
After I boarded my train home from Surrey on Sunday I noticed that a beetle had hitched a ride on my...
a year ago
After I boarded my train home from Surrey on Sunday I noticed that a beetle had hitched a ride on my rucksack. It could have jumped from a bush I'd brushed against, it could have worked its way up from my boots or it could have crawled on when I put my rucksack down on the...
Londonist
Best Of Londonist: 26 February-3 March 2024
Our top stories from the last seven days.
9 months ago
Our top stories from the last seven days.
diamond geezer
Southwark 25
Silver Jubilee: Southwark
Southwark station opened 25 years old today on 20th November 1999.
The...
a month ago
Silver Jubilee: Southwark
Southwark station opened 25 years old today on 20th November 1999.
The platforms are much like many of the others on the Jubilee line extension, but the concourse between them is unique. Step through and you enter a long cylindrical space on two...
Londonist
London's New Women's Museum Opens This March
Launching on International Women's Day.
9 months ago
Launching on International Women's Day.
AFAR Media - Travel...
Why Vacation to Corpus Christi, TX in the Fall
5 months ago
Cheese and Biscuits
Toba, St James
It's a strange part of town, is St James. Essentially a lesser-known southern extension of Mayfair,...
a year ago
It's a strange part of town, is St James. Essentially a lesser-known southern extension of Mayfair, it's barely a half mile square and yet contains quite a high density of fancy hotels (Duke's, the Stafford, the Ritz), private members' clubs and the odd royal palace. Whereas some...
diamond geezer
Overground renaming - Severe Delays
One thing that happens when transport deadlines slip is that some things happen anyway, things that...
2 months ago
One thing that happens when transport deadlines slip is that some things happen anyway, things that were supposed to be associated with the launch. The weekend Crossrail was supposed to open but didn't, for example, Adidas inexplicably released a set of purple trainers with a 3D...
diamond geezer
Westminster 25
Silver Jubilee: Westminster
Westminster's Jubilee line platforms opened 25 years ago today on 22nd...
2 hours ago
Silver Jubilee: Westminster
Westminster's Jubilee line platforms opened 25 years ago today on 22nd December 1999.
Westminster station - a clickable choose-your-own adventure
(it is genuinely clickable - give it a go!)
(1) You have arrived on the westbound Jubilee line...
Londonist
TfL Is Closing Five Tube Lines This Weekend
Planning on taking the tube this Saturday? Check before you travel!
a year ago
Planning on taking the tube this Saturday? Check before you travel!
Londonist
10 London Buildings Added To Heritage At Risk Register
Historic England's annual list gains 10 more entries.
a year ago
Historic England's annual list gains 10 more entries.
Cheese and Biscuits
Bouchon Racine, Farringdon
Such is the cyclical nature of these things, trends in food or clothing or plenty of other areas...
a year ago
Such is the cyclical nature of these things, trends in food or clothing or plenty of other areas besides will, given long enough, find themselves fading in and out of favour. There was a time, within living memory, when French cuisine was considered the gold standard of...
Londonist
Part Of The Northern Line Is Closing From Spring 2024
Edgware to Golders Green not running on various dates.
11 months ago
Edgware to Golders Green not running on various dates.
Londonist
Free And Cheap Things To Do This Week In London: 18-24 September 2023
Things to do for under a fiver.
a year ago
Things to do for under a fiver.
diamond geezer
Emails from 2004
Today I thought I'd dig into my inbox archive and bring you ten emails I was sent in October 2004....
a month ago
Today I thought I'd dig into my inbox archive and bring you ten emails I was sent in October 2004. Twenty years ago was a different time.
From londonmobs (1/10/04)
(and that was it, no further London flashmobs were organised)
cc-ed from my work address (5/10/04)
The...
Londonist
Festive Film Screenings: Where To Watch Christmas Movies In London This Year
Pop-up cinemas in palaces, rooftops and big tops.
a year ago
Pop-up cinemas in palaces, rooftops and big tops.
diamond geezer
Midsummer Day
Officially Midsummer Day is 24th June.
And midsummer is also 6th August.
astronomical definition...
5 months ago
Officially Midsummer Day is 24th June.
And midsummer is also 6th August.
astronomical definition of summer is the period between the summer solstice and the autumn equinox. Summer is 94 days long so we're looking for the 47th day after the solstice and that's 6th August....
The Forney Flyer
View From My Office Window
I never cease to be awed by the beauty and diversity of God's creation. Over the years, I've...
over a year ago
I never cease to be awed by the beauty and diversity of God's creation. Over the years, I've flown/worked in quite a number of regions/countries, and had the unique privilege of enjoying many awesome landscapes in some of the most remote and isolated parts of the world... and...
diamond geezer
Beddington Farmlands
A Nice Walk: Beddington Farmlands (1 mile)
Sometimes you just want to go for a nice walk, nothing...
a month ago
A Nice Walk: Beddington Farmlands (1 mile)
Sometimes you just want to go for a nice walk, nothing too taxing, a bit of a stroll, wildlife guaranteed, railway-adjacent, mostly dry underfoot, broad pylon vistas, binocular opportunities, possibility of lapwings, won't take long. So...
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
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
Trivia About Other Places Called London Around The World
Including one which is FREAKISHLY similar to our own London.
a year ago
Including one which is FREAKISHLY similar to our own London.
diamond geezer
From eight to nine
Yesterday I undertook the not inconsequential task of buying a new laptop, something I'd been...
3 months ago
Yesterday I undertook the not inconsequential task of buying a new laptop, something I'd been putting off for a long time.
2020 and your collective advice was "if it's still working keep using it" so I did. It's got slower, as you'd expect, but I've worked around that and put up...
diamond geezer
Three NHS checks
I went to the doctor's a couple of weeks ago, not because I needed to but because I thought I...
2 months ago
I went to the doctor's a couple of weeks ago, not because I needed to but because I thought I should. "Oh that seems fine," she said, in a wholly reassuring way. "But perhaps we ought to do some checks."
On Monday I went back to my doctor's surgery for Check 1. It's always...
Londonist
Free And Cheap Things To Do This Week In London: 4-10 September 2023
Things to do for under a fiver.
a year ago
Things to do for under a fiver.
Londonist
April And May Tube Strikes Called Off
No tube strike next Monday after all.
8 months ago
No tube strike next Monday after all.
diamond geezer
Polygon Road
As a heads-up, this is the trajectory of today's post.
a) Ooh, a street with an interesting name.
b)...
10 months ago
As a heads-up, this is the trajectory of today's post.
a) Ooh, a street with an interesting name.
b) Hmmm, I suspect it's also an interesting street.
c) Ah, now I've walked it I see it's not interesting after all.
d) But this gives me an idea about similarly-named streets.
e) Ah,...
Londonist
Paul Foot Is Barmy Brilliance In A Boiler Suit
A hilarious, uncynical, remarkable piece of comedy.
10 months ago
A hilarious, uncynical, remarkable piece of comedy.
Londonist
Trooping The Colour 2024: When Is It? What's It About? And Other Questions Answered
Pomp and ceremony cranked up to 11.
9 months ago
Pomp and ceremony cranked up to 11.
diamond geezer
DIY blogpost
For one day only I'm offering you the opportunity to write today's post. Ten or so paragraphs of...
a year ago
For one day only I'm offering you the opportunity to write today's post. Ten or so paragraphs of factual musings, hopefully entertaining and illuminating, for the wider readership to enjoy. I'll pick the topic, you provide the words.
Don't worry, I'm not expecting you to write...
Londonist
BFI Flare: Huge LGBTQIA+ Film Festival Lands In London This March
Feat. Layla, Close To You and All Of Us Strangers.
10 months ago
Feat. Layla, Close To You and All Of Us Strangers.
Spoon & Tamago
150-Year Old Florist in Yanaka Blossoms with a New Cafe
all photos by Takuya Seki courtesy Maru Architects Founded in 1870, Hanaju is a florist that has...
3 months ago
all photos by Takuya Seki courtesy Maru Architects Founded in 1870, Hanaju is a florist that has served Tokyo’s Yanaka neighborhood for over 150 years. The flower shop is located near the entrance of Yanaka Cemetery and is surrounded by traditional homes and businesses, including...
Londonist
Celebrate The Bicentenary Of This Great Gothic Revival Architect
G E Street tours, talks and more.
9 months ago
G E Street tours, talks and more.
AFAR Media - Travel...
Where You Can Explore the World's Rivers And Protect Them
a year ago
Londonist
"£1 For A Return Fare Since 2003": Brockwell Park's Miniature Railway
You can hire it for birthdays, too.
8 months ago
You can hire it for birthdays, too.
Londonist
Named: The First Person To Witness The Great Fire Of London
New Museum of London research reveals who first discovered the blaze.
a year ago
New Museum of London research reveals who first discovered the blaze.
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 Shard Is Lighting Up With The St George's Cross For The Lionesses
Turns out The Shard is an England supporter.
a year ago
Turns out The Shard is an England supporter.
Londonist
Stooky Bill: The Sinister Puppet From Doctor Who Was Real
And where to see him in London.
a year ago
And where to see him in London.
Londonist
Horizon 22: Visit The Tallest Free Viewing Gallery In Europe
The City's tallest building lets you looking down on the Shard.
a year ago
The City's tallest building lets you looking down on the Shard.
One from Nippon
A peek into Japan’s Hot Springs (Part 3)
Editor’s note: This is the third of a three-part article. Part 1 and Part 2 painted the history of...
a year ago
Editor’s note: This is the third of a three-part article. Part 1 and Part 2 painted the history of onsens and the science behind them. In this article we take a deep-dive into the business of onsens.
Onsen as a Business
Despite all the hype in Part 1
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...
Spoon & Tamago
The Conran Shop, A New Chapter For Hillside Terrace by Keiji Ashizawa Design
All images courtesy of Keiji Ashizawa Design Since opening its London flagship in 1973, The Conran...
a year ago
All images courtesy of Keiji Ashizawa Design Since opening its London flagship in 1973, The Conran Shop has been a go-to destination for all things contemporary design. And in their latest chapter, the curated shop welcomes you to its new space in Hillside Terrace, a relaxing...
diamond geezer
Interview with a Bus Rescheduler
An interview with Liam Fennell, TfL Bus Rescheduler
DG: Hi Liam, tell us what you do.
Liam: Hi, I'm...
11 months ago
An interview with Liam Fennell, TfL Bus Rescheduler
DG: Hi Liam, tell us what you do.
Liam: Hi, I'm the guy who slows the buses down.
DG: I've always wondered who that was.
Liam: It's quite a responsibility!
DG: So how does that work?
Liam: You know when you're on a bus, pootling...
Spoon & Tamago
Go on the Tokyo Toilet Tour and Never Worry About Finding a Public Restroom Again
Japan’s public restrooms have in international reputation for being clean and well-maintained, but...
10 months ago
Japan’s public restrooms have in international reputation for being clean and well-maintained, but apparently that still wasn’t good enough. In 2020, the city of Shibuya and Nippon Foundation embarked on an initiative called Tokyo Toilet. They brought together some of the biggest...
diamond geezer
Unblogged 1984
30 unblogged things I did in September 1984
They didn't have blogs or the internet forty years ago,...
2 months ago
30 unblogged things I did in September 1984
They didn't have blogs or the internet forty years ago, indeed my Sinclair ZX81 wasn't capable of much, but here are 30 things I didn't digitally publish at the time. To help you get your bearings I was 19 and most of this is the end...
Spoon & Tamago
The Evolution of Meiji Era Craftsmanship, On Full Display in Tokyo
It’s hard to overstate the cataclysmic impact that the Meiji Restoriation had on Japan. The Meiji...
a year ago
It’s hard to overstate the cataclysmic impact that the Meiji Restoriation had on Japan. The Meiji period, defined as the period between 1868 and 1912, followed what was nearly 300 years of almost complete isolation from the globe. Craftsmen and artists who had previously served...
Cheese and Biscuits
Restaurant of the Year 2022 - The Bridge Arms, Canterbury
Since the madness of the Covid Times, you may have noticed that the rate of posting on this blog has...
a year ago
Since the madness of the Covid Times, you may have noticed that the rate of posting on this blog has slowed down a bit. Where I used to try and do 6 or 7 posts a month, and with that obviously stopping completely while there was nothing open to review, I have since found that 2...
Londonist
HS2: What's Going On? Is Is Still Going To Euston? Is It Too 'Londoncentric'?
This could just be the fattest, whitest elephant ever to lumber across Britain.
a year ago
This could just be the fattest, whitest elephant ever to lumber across Britain.
Londonist
Get Toasty In This King's Cross Sauna For Just £6 A Session
Slow Motion Sauna is in town for three weeks.
11 months ago
Slow Motion Sauna is in town for three weeks.
diamond geezer
The circular tube map
Is there no limit to the number of tube map variants?
It prioritises the Circle line whose...
10 months ago
Is there no limit to the number of tube map variants?
It prioritises the Circle line whose traditional loop has been manipulated into a perfect circle, but it distorts the hell out of all the other tube lines. Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus are on opposite sides of the...
Herbert Lui
Greatness means avoiding stupid mistakes consistently
Shane Parrish writes at Brain Food, “Moments don’t make legends. Consistency does. And the hardest...
a week ago
Shane Parrish writes at Brain Food, “Moments don’t make legends. Consistency does. And the hardest consistency isn’t in doing brilliant things but avoiding stupid ones. Every mistake puts you in hard mode, forcing you to make up lost ground.” In some lines of work, a person must...
diamond geezer
Unblogged May
31 unblogged things I did in May
Wed 1: The latest exhibition at The Curve gallery at the Barbican...
6 months ago
31 unblogged things I did in May
Wed 1: The latest exhibition at The Curve gallery at the Barbican is dark and almost empty apart from 20 scant full-frontal paintings. I completely missed the subtext ("The exhibition highlights how The Curve’s shape reflects the Arabic letter...
Londonist
Things To Do In The Borough Of Bexley
Sound baths, Pre-Raphaelites and a gorgeous sewage pumping station.
9 months ago
Sound baths, Pre-Raphaelites and a gorgeous sewage pumping station.
Londonist
The Best Horror Film Screenings In London For Halloween 2023
Do you like scary movies?
a year ago
Do you like scary movies?
Londonist
Tower Bridge: Rare Behind-The-Scenes Tours Now On Sale
Including a chance to explore the bascule chambers.
a year ago
Including a chance to explore the bascule chambers.
Londonist
Valentine's Day 2024 In London: Events For Dates, Mates And Flying Solo
Romance-themed things to do on and around 14 February.
10 months ago
Romance-themed things to do on and around 14 February.
Londonist
Where To Celebrate Lunar New Year And Chinese New Year 2024 In London
Events and celebrations to welcome 2024's Year of the Dragon.
11 months ago
Events and celebrations to welcome 2024's Year of the Dragon.
diamond geezer
Almost Oxford Street
A Nice Walk: Almost Oxford Street (1½ miles)
Crowds throng the length of Oxford Street, especially...
a year ago
A Nice Walk: Almost Oxford Street (1½ miles)
Crowds throng the length of Oxford Street, especially at this time of year, in search of gifts and for a gander at the sparkly lights. But sometimes you just want to go for a nicer walk, nothing too busy, a bit of a stroll, lots to...
Londonist
See Dozens Of Tube Sketches At Barbican Library
Martin Church's vibrant portraits in free exhibition.
11 months ago
Martin Church's vibrant portraits in free exhibition.
Londonist
The Top Exhibitions To See In London: April 2024
From Caravaggio to Antony Gormley.
9 months ago
From Caravaggio to Antony Gormley.
Londonist
Sing Along To Beyoncé's Greatest Hits - As Played By A Brass Band
Old Dirty Brasstards mix things up.
10 months ago
Old Dirty Brasstards mix things up.
Londonist
One Of The First Victorians Born Was Called 'Hyde Park'
Apparently.
a year ago
Londonist
London In Teeth
A tribute to London's best gnashers.
10 months ago
A tribute to London's best gnashers.
Londonist
Multicultural Soho Shines In This AI-Enhanced Video From The 1950s
Super-sharp footage of 50s Soho.
9 months ago
Super-sharp footage of 50s Soho.
Londonist
Giant Gorilla In Paternoster Square... And You Can Climb On It
New Gillie and Marc sculptures show endangered wildlife.
11 months ago
New Gillie and Marc sculptures show endangered wildlife.
Cheese and Biscuits
The Rose, Deal
A stroll along the High Street in Deal reveals a town very much at the forefront of the wider...
a year ago
A stroll along the High Street in Deal reveals a town very much at the forefront of the wider Kentish food revolution. There seem to be more than the usual number of artisan butchers and fishmongers for what is otherwise a fairly small (albeit very quaint) seaside town. There's a...
Londonist
The Vagina Museum Is Reopening In November
"We're absolutely delighted... we love a big opening!"
a year ago
"We're absolutely delighted... we love a big opening!"
diamond geezer
Unusual exhibitions in ancient buildings
Unusual exhibitions in ancient buildings
Unusual exhibition: The Origin of the Faeces: Poo from the...
a year ago
Unusual exhibitions in ancient buildings
Unusual exhibition: The Origin of the Faeces: Poo from the Zoo
Ancient building: the stone foundations of former Kingston Bridge (1170)
caveat: more a structure than a building, but very definitely ancient
on display for the first time...
AFAR Media - Travel...
Discover the Best Fall Getaways: 3 American Cities You Must Visit
6 months ago
Londonist
Paws On The Wharf: Free Guide Dogs Sculpture Trail Coming To London
Another free art trail for a fantastic cause.
10 months ago
Another free art trail for a fantastic cause.
diamond geezer
High Streets
My High Streets post got a lot of attention over the weekend.
How many High Streets are there in...
6 months ago
My High Streets post got a lot of attention over the weekend.
How many High Streets are there in London?
Twitter and got 20 more comments.
Hacker News, the behemoth American syndicator, and got 80 more comments.
diamond geezer.
a) not realising the significance of capital...
AFAR Media - Travel...
A Travel Itinerary Exploring the Roman Empire in Germany
6 months ago
diamond geezer
Exiting Noak Hill
I said I wasn't going to make a habit of this, and I'm not, but I've ticked off two more.
The...
8 months ago
I said I wasn't going to make a habit of this, and I'm not, but I've ticked off two more.
The black ticks are all the crossings I've crossed and the latest two are the pair just northeast of Noak Hill. I walked out of one and back in via the other. In the middle were...
diamond geezer
Why did they say that?
This post is about announcements I’ve heard on TfL services recently.
The announcements split into...
9 months ago
This post is about announcements I’ve heard on TfL services recently.
The announcements split into two groups.
a) Why did they say that?
b) Why did they say that now?
Why did they say that?
"Customers using the escalators are advised to carry pets at all times"
[Whitechapel...
diamond geezer
Election triplepoint
The General Election has seen Labour strengthen its hold over the capital with 59 MPs, while the...
5 months ago
The General Election has seen Labour strengthen its hold over the capital with 59 MPs, while the Liberal Democrats have doubled their total to 6 and the Conservatives slumped to just 9. The electoral map of London is thus almost all red, with a yellow bloc to the southwest and a...
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...
AFAR Media - Travel...
An Architecture Lover’s Dream Tour Through Germany’s UNESCO Sites and Beyond
6 months ago
diamond geezer
2024 fares
TfL's annual fare rise was announced last yesterday. And it's no fare rise at all.
"The Mayor of...
11 months ago
TfL's annual fare rise was announced last yesterday. And it's no fare rise at all.
"The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today announced bold action to freeze TfL fares this year, to support Londoners struggling with the cost of living and London’s recovery from the pandemic....
Londonist
Competition! Win Two Hospitality Tickets To Chelsea F.C. Women v Spurs
The luxurious Harris Suite awaits...
a year ago
The luxurious Harris Suite awaits...
diamond geezer
Except Islington
Sorry, that was two Tower Hamlets posts in a row.
Harrow
BarnetEnfieldHaringeyWaltham...
a year ago
Sorry, that was two Tower Hamlets posts in a row.
Harrow
BarnetEnfieldHaringeyWaltham ForestRedbridgeHavering
Hillingdon
Ealing
BrentCamdenIslingtonHackneyBarking &
Dagenham
Hounslow
H'smith &
FulhamKensington
&...
Spoon & Tamago
Uenosuke Shitanosuke: Twin Tumblers that Fit Perfectly Together
For all the preaching on the health benefits of drinking more water, very few tools help us actually...
a year ago
For all the preaching on the health benefits of drinking more water, very few tools help us actually achieve this. So when Taro Mukasa, an illustrator and toy designer at creative agency Zariganiworks came across a manga panel in which the protagonist declares that his hobby is...
diamond geezer
Open House (1)
It's that time of year again when hundreds of London properties open their doors to the public if...
3 months ago
It's that time of year again when hundreds of London properties open their doors to the public if you know where to look. It's also the time of year that I visit lots of places and write about them, so steel yourself. That said I only visited two yesterday, way out in far-flung...
Londonist
LNER Launches Its Summer Sale
Hundreds of thousands of cheaper tickets available.
8 months ago
Hundreds of thousands of cheaper tickets available.
Londonist
How Many Underground Stations Are Overground, And How Many Overground Stations Are Underground?
If you see what we mean...
10 months ago
If you see what we mean...
Londonist
How To Spend A Weekend In Puerto Del Carmen, Lanzarote
And neighbouring Los Pocillos too.
a year ago
And neighbouring Los Pocillos too.
AFAR Media - Travel...
Where Was Game of Thrones Filmed? 11 Locations You Can Visit
a year ago
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...
Londonist
120 Teens Are Walking The Entirety Of The Tube This Sunday
(Not through the tunnels, though.)
10 months ago
(Not through the tunnels, though.)
Londonist
Week Of January Tube Strikes Set To Cause Severe Disruption
Happy New Year!
11 months ago
The Forney Flyer
Making the Most of Being Stuck
I'm taking a quick break from the series I was doing about our past, to update you on what's going...
over a year ago
I'm taking a quick break from the series I was doing about our past, to update you on what's going on here right now.
I mentioned a while back that I would update you regarding our summer plans when we knew more. Well, the uncertainty has persisted throughout the summer, so I...
Londonist
Santa Steam Express: Meet Father Christmas On A Vintage Train In London
The kids will be chuffed.
a year ago
The kids will be chuffed.
Spoon & Tamago
Five Unique Experiences at Harajuku’s Latest Development Harakado
Harakado, opened on April 17, 2024 at the Jingumae intersection along Omotesando Street in central...
7 months ago
Harakado, opened on April 17, 2024 at the Jingumae intersection along Omotesando Street in central Tokyo. The shiny, brand new facility was designed by architect Akihisa Hirata, whose interest in tangled, organic structures, is on full display in his rendering of the facade and...
Londonist
Lord Mayor's Show 2023: When And Where Is It, And What's Happening?
Spend the day marking an ancient London tradition dating back to 1215.
a year ago
Spend the day marking an ancient London tradition dating back to 1215.
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
"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
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
Londonist
Free And Cheap Things To Do This Week In London: 4-10 March 2024
Do cool stuff for under a fiver.
9 months ago
Do cool stuff for under a fiver.
Londonist
Croydon Plans Spectacular Mic Drop For Borough Of Culture Closing Weekend
Light shows, punk marble runs and the world's smallest nightclub.
9 months ago
Light shows, punk marble runs and the world's smallest nightclub.
Londonist
The Killer 1962 Smog Of London
And no, we don't mean 1952.
a year ago
And no, we don't mean 1952.
Spoon & Tamago
In an Appeal to Young Workers, a Manufacturing Company Steps Away from Obscurity
all photos by Takumi Ota courtesy Schemata Architects For decades, Japanese manufacturers have...
2 months ago
all photos by Takumi Ota courtesy Schemata Architects For decades, Japanese manufacturers have worked in obscurity, churning out parts for the world’s biggest automakers and smartphone brands. And for the most part—largely owing to the confidential nature of their work—they have...
Cheese and Biscuits
The Urchin, Hove
As soon as the sun comes out on a bank holiday, it feels like half of London heads down to the south...
7 months ago
As soon as the sun comes out on a bank holiday, it feels like half of London heads down to the south coast, and Brighton in particular. And though that town certainly has a lot going for it, not least a thriving restaurant and pub/wine scene that can show you a great time at all...
AFAR Media - Travel...
Ways to Experience Minnesota's Scandinavian Heritage
7 months ago
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.
Londonist
More Tube Strikes For London This October
Dispute over staff cuts and working conditions.
a year ago
Dispute over staff cuts and working conditions.
Londonist
A Map Of Southwark Place Name Origins
The etymology of the London Borough Southwark.
11 months ago
The etymology of the London Borough Southwark.
Londonist
Best Of Londonist: 11-17 December 2023
Roundup of Londonist articles from the past week.
a year ago
Roundup of Londonist articles from the past week.
diamond geezer
Borough visitor websites
Some London boroughs like to have a web presence that draws tourists in, should anyone be...
2 months ago
Some London boroughs like to have a web presence that draws tourists in, should anyone be interested, or highlights places of interest for the benefit of local residents. These websites attempt to reinforce the idea that a borough has history, or culture, or some sort of life,...
Londonist
16 Spring Day Trips From London: April 2024
Steam trains, flower festivals and a mysterious grotto.
9 months ago
Steam trains, flower festivals and a mysterious grotto.
diamond geezer
Cheam Charter Fair
Every year on May 15th the people of Cheam hold a charter fair.
Also much of the above may not be...
7 months ago
Every year on May 15th the people of Cheam hold a charter fair.
Also much of the above may not be true.
Firstly there is no evidence that Henry III granted a charter to Cheam in 1259 or in any other year. Tradition says he did but no historical records exist to confirm this,...
Londonist
A Map Of Camden Place Name Origins
Etymology of the borough's road, parks and pubs.
10 months ago
Etymology of the borough's road, parks and pubs.
Spoon & Tamago
Japan Society Presents Family Portrait: Japanese Family in Flux
this post is sponsored by Japan Society Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan and Japan...
10 months ago
this post is sponsored by Japan Society Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan and Japan Society are proud to announce the eighth installment of the ACA Cinema Project film series, Family Portrait: Japanese Family in Flux. The series examines the shifting dynamics and...
Londonist
The Big Issue Seller Outside St Paul's Who Became An Icon Of The Occupy Protests
A very different Christmas play for you to watch this festive season.
a year ago
A very different Christmas play for you to watch this festive season.
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...
Londonist
The Coca-Cola Christmas Truck Drives Into London This Week
Merry fizz-mas!
a year ago
Londonist
Where To Eat And Drink In Upton Park And East Ham: The Best Restaurants, Cafes, Bars And Pubs
Hope you're hungry...
a year ago
Londonist
Things To Keep You Busy For LGBT+ History Month 2024 In London
Museums, guided walks, cabaret and kids events.
11 months ago
Museums, guided walks, cabaret and kids events.
diamond geezer
Vote London 2024
There are now less than 20 weeks until the London Mayoral elections and most of the top candidates...
a year ago
There are now less than 20 weeks until the London Mayoral elections and most of the top candidates have laid out their key policies. Sadiq hasn't, his personal website is still a 1-slogan void, but as the incumbent it's easy to imagine what 'more of the same' might mean. Nobody...
diamond geezer
London's weekly local papers
In Motspur Park I saw a newsagent that still has an advert for the Surrey Comet above the awning. Is...
3 months ago
In Motspur Park I saw a newsagent that still has an advert for the Surrey Comet above the awning. Is that still going, I wondered. And yes, it turns out it still publishes, though now as the Epsom & Surrey Comet.
weekly local newspapers London still has.
Barnet Borough...
AFAR Media - Travel...
United Becomes First U.S. Airline to Add Braille to Planes
a year ago
diamond geezer
New year, new niggles
My 2020 niggle arrived during lockdown. It started small. It wasn't much of a niggle to start with,...
11 months ago
My 2020 niggle arrived during lockdown. It started small. It wasn't much of a niggle to start with, it just came on. They say it happens to most people so I shouldn't have been surprised. It was still a bit of a shock though. The first inkling was several years ago. It's got more...
Londonist
The Top Exhibitions To See In London In September 2023
A crystal dinner and chic couture in this month's top shows to see in London.
a year ago
A crystal dinner and chic couture in this month's top shows to see in London.
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.
Londonist
A Brief History Of The Northern Line
London's first deep-level tube.
a year ago
London's first deep-level tube.
Londonist
Visit These 15 Beautiful Castles In Kent
Clifftop fortresses to grand country piles.
9 months ago
Clifftop fortresses to grand country piles.
Londonist
Things To Do This Weekend In London: 25-26 November 2023
Festive markets, drag queens, ice hockey and queer lit.
a year ago
Festive markets, drag queens, ice hockey and queer lit.
Londonist
Best Of Londonist: 22-28 January 2024
The best Londonist articles from the past week.
10 months ago
The best Londonist articles from the past week.
diamond geezer
Waverley
This is Waverley, the world's last seagoing paddle steamer.
She's currently on a two week foray...
2 months ago
This is Waverley, the world's last seagoing paddle steamer.
She's currently on a two week foray up and down the Thames Estuary and adjacent coasts. And if you'd been in Gravesend on Sunday evening you could have enjoyed a two-hour voyage up the estuary to Tower Bridge for just...
Londonist
Things To Do This Easter Weekend In London: 29 March-1 April 2024
Our bumper events guide for the long weekend.
9 months ago
Our bumper events guide for the long weekend.
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...
diamond geezer
Green Link Walk 2
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...
diamond geezer
Superloop 2
Yesterday's big reveal from would-be Mayor-to-be Sadiq was a major extension to the Superloop...
8 months ago
Yesterday's big reveal from would-be Mayor-to-be Sadiq was a major extension to the Superloop express bus network. Phase 1 has ten routes and the plan is to add another ten and call it Superloop 2. There's a map and everything.
The most important thing on the map is the box in...
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...
diamond geezer
The news from Birmingham
Non-Hyperlocal update: The news from Birmingham
1) Ozzy the Bull, who you may remember stole the...
3 months ago
Non-Hyperlocal update: The news from Birmingham
1) Ozzy the Bull, who you may remember stole the show at the 2022 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony, has been relocated to take pride of place at New Street station. To be fair he's been there since last summer but this is the...
Londonist
An Entire Barbra Streisand Season Is Coming To North London
A star is celebrated.
10 months ago
Londonist
Best Of Londonist: 4-10 September 2023
The best articles from the past week.
a year ago
The best articles from the past week.
diamond geezer
Bow Roundabout update #8
The major roadworks at the Bow Roundabout are now into their second month (or their third month if...
a month ago
The major roadworks at the Bow Roundabout are now into their second month (or their third month if you're the manager who cancels buses).
a curve of concrete block paving that's due to become roadway, so fairly trivial.
Previous updates: #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7
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
10 Under-Appreciated Buildings On London's South Bank
From Italianate hospitals to bucolic almshouses.
a year ago
From Italianate hospitals to bucolic almshouses.
Londonist
A Free Exhibition Featuring Virtual Rainforests Is Coming To Oxo Tower Wharf
Shrug off the city and immerse yourself in a forest.
a year ago
Shrug off the city and immerse yourself in a forest.
diamond geezer
Carpenders Park
One Stop Beyond: Carpenders Park
In this series I'm taking the train one stop beyond the Greater...
a month ago
One Stop Beyond: Carpenders Park
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 Carpenders Park, one stop beyond Hatch End on what will next week be the Lioness line. For positioning purposes...
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