Best Of Londonist: 19 February 2023

Your weekly Londonist roundup, featuring Londony news and features from the past seven days.

A Flotilla Of Hot Air Balloons Will Fly Across Central London This Summer

The Lord Mayor's Balloon Regatta is back... hopefully.

Credit: Exclusive Ballooning

Inside The World's Oldest Model Railway Club

"You create your own little world."

Go Here Instead: Cheaper And Quieter Alternatives To London's Biggest Attractions

Or for when you just fancy going somewhere new.

Mark Rylance: "Why London Needs A Statue Of Brian Haw - The Man Who Awakened My Conscience"

"I think he was one of the great Londoners."

Image: Richard Keith Wolff

Fitzrovia Got Its Name A Little Longer Ago Than We Thought...

It appears in print a decade earlier than previously noted.

Hanging sign of the Fitzroy Tavern with BT Tower in background

Go Inside West London's Secret Second World War Bunker

Ever been to the Battle of Britain Bunker? (sponsor)

Where To Get Vegan And Gluten-Free Pancakes In London

Not just for Pancake Day.

VAULT Festival Is Being Kicked Out Of Its Incredible Subterranean Venue

Organisers looking for a new home for 2024.

London's Best Seafood Restaurants

Shell out.

Image by Maresco, Soho

A Pub Crawl Of South London On The Trams

All aboard!

Review: Sylvia Is An All-Singing, All-Dancing Timeline Of Suffragette Struggle

A Hamiltonesque hip-hop telling of the Pankhurst story.

Image: Manuel Harlan

Four More Days Of Train Strikes Announced For March And April

Plus six weeks of overtime bans for maintenance and operations staff.

London Events Fundraising For Turkey and Syria Earthquake Disaster Relief

Support the emergency response teams in Turkey and Syria.

Image: iStock