In a new interactive exhibition at the Museum of London, this is a question at the centre of it all. Originally created by the Cité des Sciences et de L’Industrie in Paris, this exhibition explores the challenges of urbanisation and how cities around the world have sought to challenge them.

Britain is known for its pubs, and there are over 7000 pubs in London alone. However, these public houses have a wide history, and they are museums in their own right. Here are 5 examples of some of the most amazing stories behind London’s pubs.

The Lamb & Flag

This pub is tucked away on the backstreets in Covent Garden, and its location attracted a slightly rougher than usual crowd, and it used to host bare-knuckle prize fights. Also, earlier in 1679, poet John Dryden took a beating by thugs hired by a rival poet John Wilmot down this back alley. That’s one way to resolve your issues.

The Prospect of Whitby

The Prospect of Whitby in Wapping is a pub that was often frequented by sailors (and pirates!). There is a replica gallows hanging outside the front, a reference to the revolution-suppressing ‘Hanging’ Judge Jeffreys who was a patron to this place. Unfortunately, the only thing that’s the same from when it was originally built is the flagstone floor inside.

The Spaniards Inn

One of the oldest pubs in London is The Spaniards Inn on a hilltop by Hampstead Heath. Having been there since 1585, it has a wide visitor’s list including Byron, Keats, and Dickens. It is even mentioned in Bram Stoker’s version of Dracula

The Ten Bells

The Ten Bells is a regular pit stop on a Jack The Ripper tour, as this pub was a regular haunt for Victorian prostitutes which became the victims of Jack the Riper. The faded interior and candlelit lighting adds to the ambience of the pub.

The French House

The French as it is often referred to is located in the bohemian area of London’s Soho. Lucian Freud, Sylvia Plath, and Dylan Thomas are just a few names of previous patrons of this pub. During World War 2, Charles De Gaulle used to use this pub as their base, and an interesting fact: they only serve half pints in this pub!

Image sourced from TimeOut London.

There are constantly being renovations in London to help develop and improve, and the latest is the development of Central Cross – a 48,000 square foot retail and food development planning to be launched later this spring.

The Central Cross will feature seven new restaurants keeping with the theme of the area, serving new Chinese and East Asian cuisine. They will also have outdoor seating, and there are plans to pedestrianise Newport Place.

We’ll keep you updated with more information as we find out.

Image sourced from TimeOut London

With the coming of Spring, people take to the outdoors, and that in turn means that there are more and more events in London! These are some of our favourite events that are coming up in London this spring that we wanted to share with you.

WOW: Women of the World Festival

In the 2017 edition of this festival there will be great discussions and debates about female achievements and obstacles, with great performances celebrating women of the world. Famous women such as Gillian Anderson, Angela Davis, Sandi Toksvig will be present for the show to take place in the discussions and presentations.

Visit the WOW mini-site to see the full programme of events and for tickets.

Outdoor Theatre at Shakespeare’s Globe

With the improvement in weather, Shakespeare’s Globe’s outdoor theatre once again begins its display of outdoor theatre. One of the hot shows for this spring will be Romeo and Juliet, and with a new boss at the head of the theatre, there is plenty of high energy and excitement ready for this year.

The American Dream: Pop to the Present

This show is a dedication to the work of 1960s ‘pop’ stars who took hold of printmaking as a medium of great excitement. This show tells the story of America’s post-war boom and the evolution of it until the present day. Prepare for bombardment of colour, strong visuals, and lots of prints!

The exhibition will be held at the British Museum until June 18.

London Marathon

The London Marathon is an annual event of great feat. Covering 26.2 miles, the run takes over the city for a weekend in April, and is well celebrated and accepted by the local community. This year the marathon takes place on April 23.

Futuro House Tour

Want to see one of these crazy spaceship houses from the late 60s? These houses were a big craze and can be found all across the world. If you would like to take a tour inside this house, you can book a tour with Central St Martins.

London is home to a selection of cafés and restaurants, with plenty of new independent chains opening up every day. In this guide we wanted to highlight some of the lesser known cafés, which are perfect for a romantic brunch, lunch, or even first date!

Mother’s Day is fast approaching on the 26th March, and it is the perfect time to treat those special in your life. London is a great place to visit for Mother’s Day, with plenty of activities such as flower shows, afternoon tea, and theatre shows to attend. Here are some of our favourite events coming up on Mother’s Day.

With the first signs of spring beginning to appear, March is an optimistic and slightly warmer time to enjoy. This is one of the best times to visit many of the gardens of London, such as Kew Gardens and Kensington Palace Gardens, as many of London’s most vibrant flowers will be beginning to bloom.

With London Fashion Week fast approaching, we wanted to highlight what to expect from the spectacle taking place from the 16th February.

Current Trends

The fashion scene has become remarkable international over the past few years, with street style dominating the market. New collaborations such as the Louis Vuitton x Supreme, and Nike x ACRNYM, have highlighted the going forward trends for a mixture of stylish yet functional wear. However, this year diversity is at an all time high.

The Christmas season is very near and the Christmas light decoration is a great addition for this kind of seasons. Because of this, Oxford Street is now starting to sparkle due to their beautiful Christmas light that provides the whole city achieve the instant Christmas makeover. London always provides some great plan to amaze people before the Christmas time. Most of these decorations are located in some festive spots such as Christmas shopping malls or ice skating. Due to this, it makes the City of London become amazing when it comes to their main lights.

Once you decide to visit London, Oxford Street’s Christmas Lights can ensure you that you will witness its glow and spark in a very beautiful manner. All the lights you will see has 1778 snow ball – like decorations and at the same time it contains of almost 750,000 of LED light bulbs. The entire road has been beautifully decorated to showcase the festivity season.

It is one of the amazing things that you need to witness once you visit this place. They can ensure to you that this place has the best Christmas light that is being installed in the whole street of Oxford. Most of the tourist who already witness this kind of festivity, considered this place as the brightest places during Christmas. With its very impressive and amazing Oxford Street’s Christmas Lights, you will have assurance that you will feel the true spirit of Christmas.

Everyone in this place are very excited about this festivity and don’t want to miss out every single event such like this in London. In this year, the legend Craig David is the one who will be responsible in turning them on.

The Oxford Street’s Christmas Lights will have its schedule on when it will be turn on and it will start between 2pm up to 6:30 pm. This place is truly amazing when it comes to different kinds of activities and festivity. Choosing this place as you destination will ensure you that you will experience the best vacation ever in your whole life.

Aside from this, Oxford Street’s Christmas Lights can provide you lots of great hotels nearby that you can choose from. They can provide you great comfort of stay in while you are exploring the great things in London.

All the decorations in this street will surely remind you that the Christmas season is coming. Thus, you will have the great opportunity to discover lots of fun things to do until the Christmas period in the city. So if you are now planning to visit this place, you can now start making good plan ahead of time to ensure you will have good list of things you need to do. This place will ensure to you that you will feel more relax, enjoyable and provides you wonderful experience of visiting such place.

Oxford Street’s Christmas Lights will help you feel the true essence of Christmas and make your Christmas season become remarkable.

Children are sometimes very demanding and always want to keep track with the latest toy available in the market. Luckily, there are many of famous toy shops in London that can provide you interesting and trendy stuff. Most of these stores are very dedicated to provide your small love ones with all of their needs that they can truly enjoy.

So if you are planning to visit London together with your kids, it is your great opportunity for you to treat them with the toys they like the moat. This will guarantee you that your kids will have real fun in most of the city of London since there are lots of best toys shops available. You will find famous stores in the entire capital wherein they can ensure to you that they will meet all of your needs most especially your kids.

Here are some of the most famous toy shops you will find in London:

Trotters, Kensington High Street

This is one of the famous store you will find in the city that is located in Royal Garden Hotel. Many people considered it as fantastic store since it specialises in clothing’s of children and Barbie doll. Aside from this, it can offer you wide range of toys option that is why it is best place for you to visit.

Hamley’s Regent Street

Another best store you will find in London is Hamley’s Regent Street that is very much popular toy shop in the city. It is one of the most visited shop by tourist since this store can provide you wonderful experience of toy shopping. You can bring your kids here and find the kind of toy they want and also you can find here some good souvenirs. They can sell all toys and other outdoor game toys.

The Disney Store

This store is very popular to children since they have the chance to own one of their favourite Disney characters from their favourite film. This store is located at Oxford Street and has the ability to supply you even the current and trendy toys from the latest movie.

Science Museum Shop

One of the top family attraction in London is Science Museum Shop that is located in South Kensington. For many people, it is one of the best toy shop in London because they can sell all kinds of toys that are made from high quality materials. Thus, you can find all the educational toys your kids will love and will provide real fun.

Learning all the best toy shop in London can ensure you that you will purchase toys that are worthy for your investment while your little kids are having real fun with their new toy. In addition, you have the assurance that you are in a trusted place and will be provided with plenty of toys options. All of this stores are very reputable and already earn the trust of the people. Whatever toys your kids want, finding the best toy shop in London will serve as your great option to make.