It's been another heck of a year — in which London got a thrilling new train line, The O2 was ripped a new one, and we marked the platinum jubilee of Her Maj... shortly followed be her death. Here are the Londonist articles you were most into in 2022. And if you're wondering why 11 of them — there was a surprise last-minute entry we had to slot in...
11. The O2 Dome Is Being Ripped To Shreds By Storm Eunice
The year got off to a tumultuous start when Storm Eunice inconsiderately flounced across the country in February, wreaking havoc — and tearing literal strips off The O2 in scenes that could have been out of a low budget Michael Bay movie. Another article you went wild for — but didn't quite make this list — was Big Jet TV livestreaming planes defiantly landing at Heathrow in spite of the squall. Enough to make anyone switch to train travel for life.
10. These Futuristic Tram-Buses Will Be On London's Streets From 2023
You just cannot RESIST a new toy, can ya? Londonist readers went gaga for the news that 2023 will see a new generation of electric bus glide onto the scene — one that looks like the lovechild of a classic single-decker and a tram, and which charges up using pantographs. Expect more reporting from us on these babies, when the futuristic ieTram buses start running on the Crystal Palace-Orpington route next year.
9. Photos Of London In The 1980s Show A Very Different City
While you've always got one eye on the future, the other is fixed nostalgically on a London no longer familiar to us. Our preview of 1980s London: Portrait of a Decade of Change — a book loaded with 200-odd images of a grimier, punkier Big Smoke — was lapped up by Londonistas in their droves. We wonder how many of you were gleaning retro style tips, and how many were looking longingly at photos of mohicans, wistfully stroking their long-balded heads.
8. Things To Do This Jubilee Weekend In London
None of our royal funeral coverage made it into this rundown, but there was certainly an appetite for the unprecedented four-day weekend we enjoyed back in June, marking 70 years of Elizabeth II on the throne. Of course, while some have been genning up on the best places to catch the parade route and scoff corgi-themed afternoon teas, others will have been more generally looking for things to keep them busy during that long balmy weekend. Sorry, did we say balmy? Think it just rained in the end.
7. 12 Must-See London Exhibitions To Look Forward To In 2022
My my, we are a cultured lot. As the art scene relaunched in earnest, after ceasing altogether, then spluttering on and off during the pandemic, Londonist readers were champing at the bit for shows like Francis Bacon: Man and Beast; Louise Bourgeois' Spider and Silk; and Stonehenge at The British Museum. Which did you love the most? Tell us in the comments below.
6. The Elizabeth Line Has Been Added To The New Tube Map
Ah ha! The first entry for You-Know-What — and what a moment it was to finally see that glorious streak of purple weave itself into the iconic tube map. We ran a fair few articles on the Elizabeth line in 2022, and — spoiler alert — this might not be the last one you see on this list. BTW, if you're wondering why it's not a solid purple line, that's because it's NOT a tube line. The graphics don't lie.
5. When Are London's Christmas Lights Switched On For 2022?
I mean, we only recently published this one, so CLEARLY you missed proper Christmases in London. The capital did us proud when it came to festive razzle-dazzle: a 'best of' illumination spectacular on Carnaby Street; Covent Garden's genetically modified mistletoe; sheets of stars raining down on Oxford Street; and of course *those* Regent Street angels, swooping majestically along the thoroughfare, and bidding us to spend a pile of cash in Hamleys.
4. Where To Watch Fireworks On Bonfire Night 2022 In London
Ohhhh! Ahhhh! Even Londoners traditionally nonplussed by the whole fireworks thing, were tempted to turn their eyes to the skies, as the city remembered how to celebrate again. Parks and commons across the city launched tons of colourful gunpowder into the ether, and everything felt alright with the world again. Apart from in east London, which didn't put on any big firework displays.
3. Train Strike: Updates On Line And Station Closures, And What's Running In London
What will we remember most about 2022? The death of a monarch? The Lionesses bringing football home? Nah, it's got to be the train strikes. It didn't feel a week went by when we weren't writing about oncoming havoc on our train and tube lines. June saw the biggest train strike in the UK in 30 years — although it seemed that many commuters veered towards supporting the workers and unions.
2. The No Trousers Tube Ride Returns To London In January 2023
Coming out of nowhere is this fashionably late entry, which we only ran on 20 December, but has gamely GALLOPED into second place. What can we say: the niche of tube trains/neglecting to slip on your jeans isn't niche at all. The big event's not till 8 January either, so why not give this article a few more clicks.
1. We Just Went For A Ride On The Elizabeth Line, And It's Time To Get Excited
Told you this one would be back. While the third-most read article was about trains NOT running, our most-read piece of 2022 was about trains FINALLY running. In March, Londonist had the privilege of a preview ride on the long, long, long awaited Elizabeth line; we noted the smooth, zippy ride, while Crossrail CEO Mark Wild bounded around like an excited child, showing off everything from the free wi-fi to the Brunel-inspired brickwork at Paddington station. London desperately needed a flagship good news story in 2022, and the Elizabeth line was it.
