Heading to London? Excited much? Are you ready for the bright lights, the famous attractions, the shopping streets of plenty? Not forgetting the excitement of London’s entertainment scene and buzz of going to a West End show? Not surprising if you are, London isn’t one of the world’s top cities to visit without reason. How about adding some fun facts about London to your trip?
Say you’re heading onto the tube or walking down Oxford Street or standing outside St Paul’s Cathedral or Buckingham Palace. Wouldn’t you want to have little extra knowledge to impress your partner, family member or new travel buddy? Or just learn something new about the city? Settle back and discover the fun facts about London few travel guides will tell you!
1. It’s all in a Name
I bet you can name at least one famous street in London, perhaps two or three even. Oxford Street, Baker Street, well how about Ha Ha Road in Greenwich or Hooker’s Road in Walthamstow? Not forgetting your Quaggy Walk in Blackheath, and Cyclops Mews and Uamvar Street in Limehouse. You won’t find these on the Monopoly board that’s for sure!
2. Musical London
London has influenced many of the world’s top musicians or been the backdrop to a famous music moment. Punk, Mods and the Swinging 60s scene in Carnaby Street. Pink Floyd’s flying pig at Battersea Power Station. Ziggy Stardust or the Beatles on Abbey Road. Well, add to that Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club on Frith Street. It’s where Jimi Hendrix’s last public performance was in 1970.
Talking of Bowie and the Beatles. Trident Studios, off Wardour Street, is where The Beatles made much of the White Album and David Bowie recorded Ziggy Stardust. It’s in the heart of the Soho district, so easy to find.
3. Banking on it!
The city of London is a small city in comparison with many others, being only 1km square. If you wanted to set a bank up in the city, it had to be within a 10-minute stroll of the Bank of England. It was revoked in 1980, but until then it was set up so the Governor of the Bank of England could call emergency meetings, and everyone needed, could get there within 30 minutes.
4. At the Top of the Column
Here’s a 100% guaranteed, nailed-on prediction. At some point, you’ll end up in Trafalgar Square. Check out the National Gallery it’s excellent. However, also take a look at Nelson’s Column. Did you know before the statue of Nelson was fixed on top, 14 stonemasons sat and had their dinner on it? Must have been a good view!
5. Going Underground
Ah, the Tube! London’s infamous and iconic transport system. No doubt you’ll use it; actually, you should, it’s one of London’s must-do. One station Blackfriars, on the Southbank, is the only train station to have entrances on both sides of the Thames. Also close to the Tower of London, you’ll find Aldgate Station, a gateway to the city of London. Underneath it, there are over 1,000 bodies buried, in a plague pit from 1655.
Look at the Tube map and unbeknown to most you’ll find several ‘ghost’ or disused tube stations. Many of which are still used for filming or private parties. They include Strand (you can even see the entrance if you walk down…the Strand), Down Street and Brompton Road. Oh, and can you spot the animals on the tube map? Look out for an elephant, dog, fish, and cat among many others.
6. Drink up your gin
Gin is having a renaissance at the present time. It’s the tipple of choice in the bars and clubs of the city. Back in the 18th century, they were even crazier about the popular beverage.
Back between 1720 and 1751, there was a period called the Gin Craze. Whether this is actually true, during the peak, adults and children were consuming around 2 pints per week. This craze seemed to slow, at least when laws were passed restricting the distilling and selling of gin! Now that’s a London fun fact you won’t forget.
7. Tower Bridge
The bridge spanning the Thames is an impressive feature of the London skyline. Remember it’s a working bridge, so if larger boats pass under the central sections open to allow them through.
A bus driver named Albert Gunter was driving over the bridge when the sections started to rise, his bus still on it! He accelerated and managed to get the bus to clear a 10ft gap, landing on the other side! His reward? A day off.
8. Other Amazing Facts!
Here’s a couple more, just in case you need them! The O2 Arena, a multi-entertainment complex, once the Millennium Dome, can fit either the Great Pyramid at Giza or the Statue of Liberty inside it! It’s the largest structure of its kind in the world and can be seen from space. The O2 Arena is now a major venue space, where top performers play, and shows are held.
The Shard building is a new addition to the London skyline and is now a popular attraction. The views from the top are certainly impressive. You’ll notice as you look at it, that it is entirely made from glass, there are 11,000 panels in fact. A good job then, that it doesn’t go any higher. Imagine the window cleaning bill for this place!
And finally, to St Paul’s Cathedral. Sir Christopher Wren wanted to place a pineapple at the top of the dome. He didn’t, but you can find two on top of the western towers. Check it out and let us know if you see them.
We could go on and on! With a bundle of fun facts, you’re ready for London. Make sure to keep them handy, you never know when they might come in useful.
