Your guide to London's culture and transport news and events taking place across the city.

Your guide to London's culture and transport news and events taking place across the city.

Miscellaneous - Archive Articles

Ballot to win King Charles III’s first release banknotes
Ballot to win King Charles III’s first release banknotes

Ballot to win King Charles III’s first release banknotes

Ahead of the release of the new King Charles III banknotes in June, there's a charity ballot that will let you win a set of low-serial numbered banknotes.

Mar
08
A list of the cruise ships visiting London in 2024
A list of the cruise ships visiting London in 2024

A list of the cruise ships visiting London in 2024

Sea-faring leviathans will be visiting central London this summer, giving us landlubbers a chance to see them up close from the riverside.

Jan
09
Spot the Danger Mouse Blue Plaque at Baker Street
Spot the Danger Mouse Blue Plaque at Baker Street

Spot the Danger Mouse Blue Plaque at Baker Street

In the 1980s, the secret agent Danger Mouse and his trusty sidekick Penfold would rush out from their secret base -- in the bottom of a post box on Baker Street -- to save the world from Baron Greenback.

Jan
09
Watch the Space Station fly over London on Christmas morning
Watch the Space Station fly over London on Christmas morning

Watch the Space Station fly over London on Christmas morning

If you can drag yourself out of bed early on Christmas Day, there’s a chance to see Father Christmas heading home after delivering his presents — or more accurately, the International Space Station flying over London.

Dec
15
2023
Tube Mapper’s 2024 calendar for London’s transport fans
Tube Mapper’s 2024 calendar for London’s transport fans

Tube Mapper’s 2024 calendar for London’s transport fans

The 2024 calendar showcases some of his favourite images as he explores every station and stop on the London Underground, Overground, DLR, Elizabeth line and now the Croydon tram network.

Dec
04
2023
Win £5,000 of holidays in Landmark Trust’s heritage homes
Win £5,000 of holidays in Landmark Trust’s heritage homes

Win £5,000 of holidays in Landmark Trust’s heritage homes

A fundraiser for a heritage houses charity is offering up to £5,000 of free weekend breaks in its homes across the UK.

Nov
09
2023
Christmas jumpers from London’s venues
Christmas jumpers from London’s venues

Christmas jumpers from London’s venues

Tis fast approaching the season to sit in front of your computer on a video call wearing nothing except a Christmas Jumper.

Nov
08
2023
A huge sale of Film and TV memorabilia
A huge sale of Film and TV memorabilia

A huge sale of Film and TV memorabilia

Next month, there will be a sale in London of over 1,000 movie and television memorabilia, with a lot of fantasy and science-fiction up for sale.

Oct
31
2023
A couple of messages about changes to ianVisits
A couple of messages about changes to ianVisits

A couple of messages about changes to ianVisits

I've been contacted a few times recently about the sharp decline in descriptive images on the events listings.

Sep
29
2023
You might be able to see a comet in the skies this weekend
You might be able to see a comet in the skies this weekend

You might be able to see a comet in the skies this weekend

A recently discovered comet should be visible early in the morning for the next few days if the British weather permits.

Sep
08
2023
How to request your very own Red Arrows flypast
How to request your very own Red Arrows flypast

How to request your very own Red Arrows flypast

Organizing something interesting and fancy a flypast by the Red Arrows? Or a WW2-era bomber? Or how about a marching band to serenade your event?

Sep
01
2023
Auction of old fairground ride equipment
Auction of old fairground ride equipment

Auction of old fairground ride equipment

If you've ever wanted to own your own piece of a vintage funfair, then this is your chance as there will be an open day at Carters Funfair at their base near Maidenhead, and an auction of much of their surplus equipment.

Jul
05
2023
Pride and Prejudice: Elizabeth line’s trainbow and why LGBTQ+ visibility matters
Pride and Prejudice: Elizabeth line’s trainbow and why LGBTQ+ visibility matters

Pride and Prejudice: Elizabeth line’s trainbow and why LGBTQ+ visibility matters

Earlier today the Elizabeth line gained its first trainbow - a train with a Pride banner on it -- and the haters will hate it.

Jun
30
2023
What happened to Westminster Abbey’s coronation carpet after the Coronation?
What happened to Westminster Abbey’s coronation carpet after the Coronation?

What happened to Westminster Abbey’s coronation carpet after the Coronation?

A large stage covered in a bright yellow carpet was built inside Westminster Abbey for the Coronation earlier this year, but something surprising happened to the carpet afterwards.

Jun
26
2023
UK flypast to mark the retirement of the RAF Hercules
UK flypast to mark the retirement of the RAF Hercules

UK flypast to mark the retirement of the RAF Hercules

Sadly (probably) not passing over London, but worth highlighting in case you're in the areas affected, as there will be a flypast to mark the forthcoming retirement of the C-130J Hercules from RAF service on Wednesday 14th June.

Jun
11
2023
Own a piece of Eurovision history: Stage sets and costumes come up for auction
Own a piece of Eurovision history: Stage sets and costumes come up for auction

Own a piece of Eurovision history: Stage sets and costumes come up for auction

What does a huge but one-off TV production do when it's finished and no longer needs all the stage settings and costumes? Sells them to the public, that's what.

May
27
2023
Flying Scotsman coin released by the Royal Mint
Flying Scotsman coin released by the Royal Mint

Flying Scotsman coin released by the Royal Mint

One of the late Queen's last acts as Monarch was to authorise the issuance of a £2 coin to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Flying Scotsman, and the coin is being released today.

Feb
23
2023
There’s a free maps giveaway on Monday
There’s a free maps giveaway on Monday

There’s a free maps giveaway on Monday

If you like maps, and like free maps even more, then Monday is the day to be in Hackney Downs, as a map printer is having a clearout and giving away a lot of stock.

Feb
15
2023
The City of London and Signor Favale’s Marriage Portion Charity
The City of London and Signor Favale’s Marriage Portion Charity

The City of London and Signor Favale’s Marriage Portion Charity

Sometimes you stumble upon an old article about an old tradition or ceremony and wonder when it's next happening.

Jan
31
2023
Theydon Bois – the town with no street lights
Theydon Bois – the town with no street lights

Theydon Bois – the town with no street lights

Theydon Bois, on the edge of northeast London, is remarkable for something very special -- the near total absence of any street lighting.

Jan
20
2023

London’s 2023 ceremonial gun salutes

Ceremonial military guns will go bang bang several times in London during 2023, at the Tower of London and in the Royal Parks.

Jan
04
2023
Ian’s 2022 in review
Ian’s 2022 in review

Ian’s 2022 in review

Well, that was an odd year, wasn't it? A state funeral, umpteen governments, a new railway, a heatwave, and not to forget overseas events.

Dec
30
2022
A parkland walk along a disused railway line
A parkland walk along a disused railway line

A parkland walk along a disused railway line

London's longest linear nature reserve can be found running along a stretch of disused railway line that's now a long pleasant walk between two stations.

Dec
28
2022
London’s Christmas tree recycling collections 2022/23
London’s Christmas tree recycling collections 2022/23

London’s Christmas tree recycling collections 2022/23

It might seem a bit Scrooge to be talking about getting rid of the Christmas tree before the event is over, but it can help to know what to do before 12th night comes along.

Dec
19
2022