Photos, features, oddities and snapshots from the streets of London
Despite its Grade II listed status, BT have been allowed to make major changes to the appearance of the iconic BT Tower in central London. Citing safety reasons, BT has …
What have they done to the BT Tower in London? Read More
As 2011 draws to a close, I’ve broken out the calculator and done some totting up to find out which posts have proved the most popular with readers on my …
The most popular urban75 blog posts of 2011: Shard, Slutwalk, Naked Bike Ride and BT Tower Read More
With just one shopping day left before Christmas, there’s some frantic last-minute gift buying going on all over London.
Last minute shoppers on Oxford Street, London Read More
Saturday night was a blast at the historic Royal Vauxhall Tavern, an old-fashioned south London pub that is probably London’s best-known alternative gay venue. On the bill were the fabulous go-go Actionettes, a …
Jarvis Cocker and The Actionettes at Duckie, Royal Vauxhall Tavern, London Read More
Voted ‘Britain’s ugliest new building‘ by readers of Building Design magazine (and thus the holder of the 2010 Carbuncle Cup), the 43-storey Strata tower in south London presents a distinctive outline with its three turbines …
The rarely spinning turbines of the Strata Tower, south London Read More
Pullens Yards – taking in Clements Yard (above), Iliffe Yard and Peacock Yard – held their Winter Open Studios last weekend, with clothing, jewellery, ceramics, fine art, furniture, books and …
Pullens Yards Winter Open Studios, Elephant & Castle, London SE17 Read More
Situated near the top of the Walworth road and adjacent to the artists’ community in IliffeYard is this lovely little cafe and sandwich bar, regaling under the distinctive name of the Electric Elephant.
Electric Elephant Cafe Gallery, betwixt Kennington and Elephant and Castle, London Read More
Tottenham Court Road tube station has been closed for construction work for what seems like an eternity, but – after one last weekend closure – it will be reopening on Monday 28th November. …
Tottenham Court Road reopens on the 28th Nov. TfL lob out a work in progress video Read More
I’ve enjoyed watching The Shard at London Bridge grow from a short concrete stump back in March 2010, and now it’s rapidly heading towards its completion deadline of May 2012.
The London Shard inches closer to completion Read More
Standing atop a stack of packing crates in Bishop’s Square in Spitalfields, is Kenny Hunter’s I Goat sculpture.
It’s a goat. On a pile of boxes. In Spitalfields, London Read More
Open 24 hours a day and serving up a feast of freshly baked bread, croissants, pastries and doughnuts is Beigel Bake, one of the oldest beigel (bagel) shops in London.
In praise of Beigel Bake, Brick Lane, London E1 Read More
It’s not often I traipse past the ludicrously named Silicon Roundabout and venture east to the land of fixed-wheel racers, unfeasibly tight trousers and ironic moustaches, but I was happy …
BALANCE: European Hardcore book launch at Lo & Behold E2 Read More
We rather liked the blend of coffee served up in their first store at Rathbone Place in Fitrovia, so it’s great to see Tapped & Packed opening up new premises in …
Tapped & Packed coffee shop review, Tottenham Court Road, London Read More
Here’s a view of the Christmas decorations already up at Oxford Circus. A few days into November! In my mind, the start of December is the earliest anyone should be …
Oxford Street Christmas lights are turned on – in ruddy November, FFS Read More
There was a big party going on north of the river last night, with the Actionettes hosting their ‘Night of the Shimmying Dead’ Halloween special at the Buffalo Bar, a basement club right …
Actionettes Halloween party with The Nuns, The Action Men and limbo dancing Read More
October’s Critical Mass bike ride around the capital took in both of the current Occupy London sites at St Paul’s and Finsbury Square. Here’s a few photos of the ride, …
Halloween London Critical Mass ride shows solidarity with Occupy London Read More
Four days in and still going strong is the Occupy London protest outside St Paul’s cathedral in central London. I popped down today and grabbed a few photos. ..
Photos from the Occupy London protest at St Paul’s, central London Read More
With thousands currently occupying Wall Street in New York, and actions taking place from Paris and Madrid to Buenos Aires and Caraca, there’s a global day of action underway – and …
Occupy the Stock Exchange London protest. Photos and police statement Read More
There was much a-tootin’ of horns around the streets of Trafalgar Square last night, as a bevy of motorcyclists from the “No To the Bike Parking Tax” campaign group headed into town.
Bike Parking Tax protest, central London 12th October 2011 Read More
This is one of my favourite parts of central London, and on a Sunday afternoon – when the endless roar of traffic subsides – it’s easy to imagine how it might have …
The timeless Georgian architecture of Bedford Square, Bloomsbury Read More
Situated in the heart of Fitzrovia, Kaffeine is an independent, Aussie/Kiwi-run café located at 66 Great Titchfield Street, a short stroll north of Oxford Street.
Kaffeine coffee bar, Great Titchfield Street, Fitzrovia – review Read More
This banner sums up how I feel about the government’s dodgy plans to embark on a policy of mass privatisation for the NHS. We went along to a big protest …
Block the Bridge – Save the NHS protest, Westminster Bridge – photos Read More
I’ve been watching the slow but steady rise of The Shard with keen interest, first documenting the skyscraper when I caught glimpse of its central core rising over London Bridge …
The Shard comes under close scrutiny from Southwark Cathedral Read More
Running until the 16th Oct 2011 is the ‘Australian Landscape’ outside the British Museum in central London. Created in partnership with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, the landscape ‘showcases the …
British Museum Australian walkabout – a slice of Oz in WC1 Read More
Unfortunately, I timed my visit to this year’s Thames Festival just as the skies opened, so I ended with loads of photos of umbrellas and damp people. Scroll down for some pics:
Thames Festival 2011 – umbrellas and brass bands Read More
Seen on the 17:19 Kemble to Paddington train yesterday. I wonder if the photo ended up on Facebook somewhere?
Pic of the day: office worker snaps slumbering colleague on Paddington-bound train Read More
Continuing the photo tour of Kew Gardens, here’s a view of the striking Sackler Crossing bridge. Made from granite and bronze and opened in May 2006, the bridge won a special …
A photo tour of Kew Gardens, London (part two) Read More
Home to the world’s largest collection of living plants, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – otherwise referred to as Kew Gardens – covers 121 hectares in west London. Scroll on …
A photo tour of Kew Gardens, London (part one) Read More
There’s some fabulous new views across London to be seen on top of the dramatic One New Change development by St Pauls. Designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, the eight-storey shopping …
Lesser known London viewpoints: the dramatic view from One New Change, St Pauls Read More
Served up by the impressively titled ‘Special Features Division of the Rank Organisation’ is this fascinating look at London’s coffee bars in the 1950s and 1960s.
London’s coffee bars in the 1950s and 1960s – archive video footage Read More