About M@

Surely it’s not possible to dislike the gherkin? It’s that rare Lineker of buildings –distinctive profile, super-famous yet loved by all. Or so we thought… Washington Post architecture critic Roger K Lewis isn’t the biggest fan. His latest column pours careful scorn on Foster’s masterpiece, …

This day in London’s History 1801: World’s first public railway is sanctioned by parliament, opening (almost) exactly two years later. The Surrey Iron Railway ran from Wandsworth to Croydon, and later on to Merstham. It wasn’t exactly the Orient Express. Indeed, the rolling stock could …

Dull, suburban Middle Englanders, if the stereotype is to be believed. And it is. According to a survey by AA insurance (why?), if you live on an Acacia Avenue, you’re likely to fit the following profile: Their recipe for happiness involves never moving, never divorcing …

Comic book stencils from New York-based collective Faile. This pair decorate a wall in Lindsey Street, Smithfield. But if you like what you see, further examples can be found near Angel tube station.

A tribute to the capital’s alleys, ginnels and snickleways. 1. Great Eastern Walk Where? Runs alongside Liverpool Street Station, connecting Bishopsgate to Exchange Square. What? An enclosed, dimly lit walkway of daunting length (218 paces). Accessed at one end by furtive, slimline escalators a little …

These listings appear every Wednesday. If you want to let us know about any upcoming science or technology events, you can contact us on LondonistSciTech@Gmail.com Avast! Could this be the shortest Cogito ever? Just three events this week. Probably a good thing as lecture theatres …

Quick update on Lewis Pugh, who you may remember is the crazy lawyer attempting to swim the entire length of the Thames. Well, he’s been stymied right from the start – by a lack of water. Upon reaching the source of the Thames in Kemble, …

Lewis Pugh better watch out. The swans are coming…and they’re going to be very agitated. A bunch of folk in funny red clothing are scouring the Thames to tag the large birds, as part of the annual swan census. Swan Upping, as the practice is …

OK, OK, no photoshoppery to be seen here, but we thought it made a good old-school riposte to last week’s oh-so-clever London Eye/bicycle image. The photo comes courtesy of Tom Marlow (that’s him, there, look, with the bike), and Hilary Jennings (behind the shutter). Who …

When it comes to London’s tall buildings, it’s not all onwards and upwards. For every new highrise that goes up, something usually has to come down. Such is the case with Drapers Gardens, on Throgmorton Avenue. Like Tower 42 and Centrepoint, it comes from the …