Ian Mansfield

London

Owner and Writer at Ian Visits

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Articles

Tours of the Lord Mayor’s Mansion House

Dec 31, 2024 | ianvisits.co.uk | Ian Mansfield

The grand mansion in the City of London, home to the Lord Mayor of London, holds regular public tours of the main state rooms, which resume in the New Year. Entry is through what is today the main entrance, but it was originally the stables until they quickly realised that smelly horses living under a house were a bad idea. Upstairs is where the main tour starts, and it’s really a “look and wow” type of tour as the interior of Mansion House would put many a palace to shame.
Elizabeth line strike going ahead on New Years Eve night trains

Dec 30, 2024 | ianvisits.co.uk | Ian Mansfield

Elizabeth line staff who are members of the RMT union will strike this evening, but it’s not expected to significantly affect services during the New Year’s Eve celebrations. During the strike, control room staff will not start work if their shifts start between 9pm on Tuesday 31st December 2024 and 9pm on Wednesday 1st January 2025. Service will gradually reduce from 9pm onwards, affecting the overnight service when people are travelling home from NTE parties and fireworks.
The view from Horizon 22 when fog means there’s no view to see

Dec 30, 2024 | ianvisits.co.uk | Ian Mansfield

London’s highest free viewing gallery, Horizon 22, is so high that its head can be in the clouds sometimes, so what’s the view like when it’s wrapped in fog? Well, depending on how foggy or cloudy it happens to be, the effect can range from decoratively misty photos of the city to a complete whiteout of the room. And if you delight in the oddity of it all, that’s a good time to visit – to see the nothing. You’re recomended to book free tickets in advance on their website.
Signalling chaos: Inside the Elizabeth line’s two-day breakdown

Dec 30, 2024 | ianvisits.co.uk | Ian Mansfield

Last month, the Elizabeth line suffered two days of problems when the signalling system broke down, and now a clearer timeline of what happened is emerging. The first inklings that there might be a problem came early at 5am when the Elizabeth line logged intermittent problems with the communications system, but it wasn’t expected to affect passenger services.
The London Buzz - 30th December 2024

Dec 30, 2024 | ianvisits.co.uk | Ian Mansfield

Today’s London news round-up:Camden burglary as brazen thieves get away with £10m of diamonds, sapphires and emeralds MirrorWhat did Amy Lamé do as the Mayor’s Night Czar? More than you might think OnLondonPlaces that closed down in London in 2024 LondonistEaling beavers thrive in their year in the city BBC NewsPlans for 200 homes to be built on the site of a disused New Barnet gasholder have been unveiled.
Proposal to revamp street outside Harrods for Spring 2025

Dec 30, 2024 | ianvisits.co.uk | Ian Mansfield

The pedestrianised but very busy street outside Harrods, next to the tube station entrance, could be given a makeover to reduce the overcrowding. Although fully pedestrianised, some of the space is occupied by food stalls and with the tube station entrance next to the department store, it can be a bit of a muddle with crowds trying to get around each other. The proposed layout would introduce additional planting and public seating in the middle part of the street.
HS2’s new CEO calls for full reset to deal with cost challenges

Dec 30, 2024 | ianvisits.co.uk | Ian Mansfield

The HS2 railway project is still facing significant challenges, especially over costs, its new CEO, Mark Wild, says in an end-of-year update on progress. Mark Wild, who previously took over the Crossrail project when it hit problems, joined HS2 at the start of this month and is now leading a wide-ranging review of the programme, which will report next year.
Half-price January sale on GWR train tickets

Dec 30, 2024 | ianvisits.co.uk | Ian Mansfield

There will be a new year day on Great Western Railway (GWR), offering half-price savings on most of its Advance fares, with some day trips possible at very low prices. The January Sale fares are available on First or Standard class fares for one week from Thursday 2nd January to Thursday 9th January, and tickets will be valid for journeys between Friday 10th January up to and including Sunday 13th April 2025.
See the plans to redevelop the British Museum

Dec 29, 2024 | ianvisits.co.uk | Ian Mansfield

Five plans have been shortlisted to redevelop the British Museum’s western wing, and an exhibition of the plans is currently being shown inside the museum. There are details of the proposals on the museum website, but the scale models do help to give a better view what is being suggested for the rebuilding of the western range.
Thameslink railway in central London reopens following Christmas engineering works

Dec 29, 2024 | ianvisits.co.uk | Ian Mansfield

The Thameslink railway through central London has reopened this morning following a long closure for track replacement works. Over the Christmas period, the line between St. Pancras International to Herne Hill was closed, while Network Rail engineers installed 1,670m of new rails on the track between Farringdon and Blackfriars, as well as a number of insulated block joints – the joints that bolt sections of railway track together.