ianVisits weekly newsletter

Latest blog posts by IanVisits
Westminster street signs being sold at auction There’s a chance to buy a London street sign as a batch of old signs no longer needed are put up for auction.
Consultation seeks to improve cycling and walking in the Royal Docks A study into how to improve walking and cycling around the Royal Docks in east London has opened, and there will be public investigative tours over the next couple of weeks.
London’s weekly railway news A weekly round-up of London's rail transport news…
London Zoo offering animal tours with afternoon teas London Zoo is launching Tours and Teas, a brand new series of guided tours followed by afternoon tea at the Regents Park zoo.
Heraldry photography competition The annual photography competition by the Heraldry Society is open for entries seeking photos of anything to do with coats of arms, crests and shields -- of which London is replete.
Sir Richard Burton’s curious “tent tomb” In southwest London is a most unusual mausoleum to an unusual man (and his wife), that's in the shape of a Bedouin tent. Oh, and it has a ladder to climb up and peer inside it.
London Underground trains are getting faster A long-running signalling upgrade on the London Underground is starting to show results as the latest timetables show faster journeys on some trips.
Chelsea in Bloom starts this week For one week, over 70 shops, restaurants, and hotels around Chelsea will be putting on their floral best as part of the annual Chelsea in Bloom competition.
Hayes & Harlington station goes step-free with new ticket office Hayes & Harlington station in west London has opened a new larger ticket office and added step-free access to the platforms as part of the Elizabeth line preparations.
Oxford Circus pedestrianisation plan delayed Plans to create temporary plazas on either side of Oxford Circus in time for Christmas have been delayed by Westminster Council.
See inside the St. Leonards air raid shelter in East Sheen On a side street not far from Mortlake station is a set of 1930s residential flats and in front a curious brick building - the entrance to an underground air-raid shelter.
Tickets Alert: Plumstead bus garage 40th anniversary Next month marks the 40th anniversary of Plumstead bus garage, and they're having a public open day to celebrate.
See inside the refurbished Lambeth Town Hall On the corner of busy Brixton's main road is Lambeth Town Hall, a grand municipal building that has recently completed a major refurbishment. And tours were held for this year's Open House Weekend.
Book Review – Railways: A History in Drawings A large parcel arrives and inside is a hefty book that is total eye-candy for any railway, design, or architecture fan.
Tickets Alert: Chiswick House at Night Chiswick House in West London is hosting its first-ever late-night opening next month, and tickets are on sale now.
See a golden shawl made from the silk of 2 million spiders A golden shawl made from the delicate silk of a Madagascar spider is one of the items on display later this month in an exhibition of wonders from the natural world.
London’s Alleys: Model Cottages, SW14 This is an alleyway in East Sheen that runs down an avenue of delightful 19th-century cottages, the model cottages.