Charles II’s ordered for six ravens to be placed in the Tower of London to protect it. London is the largest city in Europe. The Olympic stadium in London is unique in that with 10,000 tons of steel used in construction it is one of the “lightest” in the world. The history of London, the capital city of England and the United Kingdom, extends over 2000 years. Despite popular belief, it isn’t illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament. Transport . 50 – London bridge is constructed out of wood. London became the first city in the history that hosted the Olympic games for the third time. One of Christopher Wren’s original ideas for St Paul’s Cathedral proposed a 60 foot stone Pineapple in place of the now iconic dome. You will shortly receive a receipt for your purchase via email. The identity of Jack the Ripper, London’s most notorious serial killer, has never been discovered. From underground Roman streets and the invention of Chelsea buns, to impaled heads on London Bridge and the very first Globe theatre, here history writer and filmmaker Richard Guard reveals the forgotten landmarks and traditions of England's capital, In his book Lost London (Michael O’Mara Books, 2012), Guard reveals intriguing stories that lie beneath the city’s familiar streets, to take readers on a journey through London’s overlooked past. During history, London used to have different … The first was in 1924, the second in 2008 and the third in 2009. The official website for BBC History Magazine, BBC History Revealed and BBC World Histories Magazine, Save 50% on a BBC History Magazine or BBC History Revealed subscription, How much do you know about the history of London? By 1690 there were more than 100 companies trading their shares in the city, and traders would meet at Jonathan’s to gather news from other traders, and from merchants entering the city via the Thames. You have successfully linked your account! One of the more macabre London facts is that Aldgate Underground Station was built on the site of a mass grave of victims of the plague. This is why it is such a heavily visited city, with over 17 million people flocking to London in 2014 alone, according to the BBC. Cleopatra’s Needle, the Egyptian artefact located on the Victoria Embankment, was erected in 1838. Three out of the ten largest and most popular museums in the world are located in London. The Great Plague killed roughly 25 million people, which was around a third of the entire population of Europe in the 15th Century. As well as the 300 languages spoken in London, the amount of museums in the capital adds to the culture of this city. I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else and it is a privilege to share London’s unique combination of history, art, culture and contemporary attractions with visitors. Edward had a memorial cross erected at every resting place of her funeral procession, the last being in the village of Charing – a stopover between the City of London and Westminster. An average of 2.7 million Tube journeys are made on the London Underground every day. With the land drained and the river covered over, Thorney Island has long since disappeared, although the name lives on in Thorney Street, which runs parallel to Millbank, off Horseferry Road. 10 Interesting Facts About The Historic London Bridge Bridges known as London Bridge have a long history with several bridges being built over the years across the River Thames between the City of London and Southwark, in central London. Let us know in the comments below! Do you have any you’d add to the list? 2. Home. Well, gang, we’re taking a trip back in time to find out some quirky – and slightly gruesome! Districts / Areas . However, the real number is unknown, as many more died from indirect causes. It housed a huge canvas panorama of London, painted by Thomas Hornor. There is suspicion that some illicit matches took place, against the will of one or other of the parties, but judging from the number of unions made (estimated to be almost 250,000 in just 60 years up to 1753), it seems more likely that the ability to marry without parental consent might well have been the more common motivation. Multicultural London. Evidently, they decided to opt for trains. Last of my facts about London is about the Palace of Westminster. 30) London has hosted the Olympic Games three times – in 1908, 1948 and 2012. ), What To Consider When Paying For Student Accommodation, 7 Secluded and Secret Galleries to See in London, Information for Parents & Resident Welfare, 20 Interesting History Facts About London To Tell Your Friends. Buildings and Landmarks . History TV and radio in the UK: what’s on our screens in December 2020? To make this even more fun, I want to challenge you as well. Discover even more exciting facts about London by exploring London’s culture, history, and food. Related: 7 Secluded and Secret Galleries to See in London. 10 things you (probably) didn’t know about the history of London. An ideal place to make a settlement. Here are 20 interesting facts that confirm the city’s status. 2)…and it’s technically a forest Between 1613 and 1754, a legal loophole meant that on-the-spot marriages could be carried out in an area surrounding the Fleet Debtors’ Prison known as the ‘Liberties of the Fleet’. When the Coffee House burnt down in the Cornhill fire of 1748, it was immediately rebuilt with the support of brokers, and was given the name New Jonathan’s. Here are 25 Interesting Facts about London that you probably didn’t know before reading this! While living there, Ralegh was memorably drenched with beer by a servant who feared that his master had caught fire when he found him smoking. To honor this fascination, London Unlocked has put together interesting facts for us in an infographic about London, most of these fact, we bet you didn’t know. Currently, as a population we use far too many…, Click here for COVID-19 Information & Support, 7 ways to living a more sustainable student life, Everything You Need to Know About Student Contents Insurance, The London Universities List & Their Specialisms, How To Decorate Your Student Room (Without Losing Your Deposit! This particularly affected London because of the narrow streets and lack of sanitation. It was then sadly demolished in 1907, 91 years before construction started on the London Eye. This wheel was constructed in 1895 for the Empire of India Exhibition. As one of the most diverse cities in the world, London houses over 8 million residents, who collectively speak over 300 languages, including Bengali, Gujarati, Punjabi, Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien and of course English. Food and Drink. The People of London. For comparison, the stadium is 75% lighter than its “big brother” in Beijing. The Great Fire in 1666 devastated London. History of London . Already have an account with us? A new theatre was built in 1614, but was demolished in 1644 when all plays were banned by the Puritan parliament. The origin of its name has also a puzzling history. The Tower was founded by William the Conqueror towards the end of the 1066. This flag, which is called the Royal Standard, must only be flown from buildings where the Queen is present. Besides being the cradle of modernization, there is a lot to know about this dream city. Feel free to bore your friends and family with that fact if you ever do a tour of London. The megacity that most of us know as London is actually called ‘Greater London’, whilst the City of London itself is a small portion of this sprawling metropolis. As our final shocker in our list of interesting facts about London, the London Eye was not the first big wheel in London. It was built by Lord Chamberlain’s Men, a company of actors that included the most famous playwright of them all, William Shakespeare. In 2003, London Mayor Ken Livingstone banned feeding them or selling feed near the square. Buckingham Palace. Quick Facts about London. Thanks! From the houses of parliament to the London underground, here are some of the most interesting facts about London! Shops and Markets . Great-London with all the suburbs is about 1500 km²: Inhabitants: 7.5 million (2015) but another 5 million in the surrounding commuter towns: Population density: almost 4.800 per square km. Sin City: thievery, prostitution and murder in medieval London, Love, health and the weather: 9 things medieval Londoners worried about, Shakespeare’s London: playing a dangerous game. The Queen's Guards . Although it is illegal to enter the Houses of Parliament wearing a suit of armour. It was built as a royal palace and a defence system. London was the first city to reach a population of more than one million, in 1811. The (national) flag: Official name: London: Surface : It is hard to determine the exact surface of London. Now with a population of over 8.9 million, the number of people living in London is larger than the number of people living in Austria. If you’d like to learn a little more about the big smoke, we’ve delved deep into the history of our capital. Another for our facts about London, has to be the numerous famous people that have lived there. Possibly the most disturbing in our facts about London is that 1000 bodies apparently lie under Aldgate station, near Urbanest’s Tower Bridge property. In that time, it has become one of the world's most significant financial and cultural capital cities. 15. Essential Information. According to gov.uk: ‘The issue of dying in Parliament appears to arise from the idea that anyone who dies in a Royal Palace is eligible for a state funeral. Basically, London … Related: 6 Historic Sites To Visit In London If You’re A History Student. Several hospitals were founded in London in the 18th century including Westminster (1720), Guys (1724), St Ge… Some 100 years later, with the Victoria and Adelaide hotels having been built either side, the arch was recognised as a major landmark, and “the most imposing entrance to a London terminus”. London, city, capital of the United Kingdom. Please enter your number below. During this time many things were placed underneath, including a map of London, a copy of the Bible, some daily newspapers, a rupee and 12 photographs of the best looking English women of the time. Some standing theories state that London was first built from Romans around 50 AD. So there you have it, our favourite 7 facts about London that you’ve probably never heard before. Find out more about St Paul’s Cathedral here. The earliest such bridges were built by the Ancient Romans when London was known as Londinium. When Euston station was first opened in 1837, its entrance was dominated by Euston Arch, which stood 70ft high and was supported by four Doric columns, to make it the largest arch in Great Britain. Such as Karl Marx, Charles Darwin, Sylvia Plath, Charles Dickens, Jimi Hendrix, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Florence Nightingale and 100’s of others. London is formed by two ancient cities – City of London and City of Westminster, both cities forming the region of Greater London Cab drivers can spend years trying to learn it all. 1) London is the smallest city in England. Such as Karl Marx, Charles Darwin, Sylvia Plath, Charles Dickens, Jimi Hendrix, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Florence Nightingale and 100’s of others. In the east growth spread to Stepney, Ratcliffe, Limehouse and Wapping. We have not been able to trace any such law, and neither have the House of Commons authorities.’. That’s right. With rich history and culture, world class architecture and many captivating galleries and museums, London has something for everyone. It has withstood plague, devastating fire, civil war, aerial bombardment, terrorist attacks, and riots. Learn some geographic facts about the city of London, including its history, population, topography, climate, and economy. When the station entrance was completely redesigned and rebuilt in 1962, the heedless demolition of the arch galvanised the nascent preservation movement. In addition, 32 years in the IT industry have given me a good understanding of… One response to “Top 10 Facts About The City Of London” Erinielle says: October 3, 2018 at 9:44 pm Hi. Open Spaces . By entering your details, you are agreeing to HistoryExtra terms and conditions and privacy policy. Let's not forget that London was victim to many disasters throughout history. Fires raged through the city in Roman times AD 60, 1123, 1666 and again in 1940. London has a comprehensive bus system covering pretty much every part of the capital – it’s also the basis for one of the more astonishing facts about London. London serves as the capital of United Kingdom and England. One of the more interesting facts about London is that during World War II, London was a safe place for the governments in exile of six different countries during Hitler’s occupation of Europe: Belgium, France, Holland, Luxembourg, Norway and Poland. By far Britain’s largest metropolis, it is also the country’s economic, transportation, and cultural centre. Menu. The fashionable suburbs spread north along Tottenham Court Road and north west to the village of Paddington. Opened in 1599, the Globe played host to Shakespeare for 14 years, during which time he wrote many of his greatest works. Share your result in the comment section! When the London Underground was first proposed, engineers suggested filling the tunnels with water and using barges to float people from station to station, or getting an army of horses to pull the carriages around in the dark. London’s cultural life is surrounded by myth and stereotypes, which is not too surprising considering the city’s cultural industries are among the best known in the world. The Tower of London is one of the city’s most famous historical landmarks, and has a fascinating history. The city has as many as 857 galleries. Its history, often maimed by war, disease and fire, shows Londoners’ determination to distinguish the city as a place of innovation, culture and growth. During this time, men known as Searchers shouted out ‘Bring out your dead’ all through the summer of 1665. Take one of our food tours. Thank you for subscribing to HistoryExtra, you now have unlimited access. Big Ben is arguably London’s most famous landmark. ***** Planning your trip to London? While the fire reduced large parts of the city to ruins, the verified death toll was only six people. There seems to be a problem, please try again. Our best wishes for a productive day. Here are 50 facts to share with fellow travellers on your next journey. It went on to serve as residence to both Cardinal Wolsey and Anne Boleyn, and eventually became the home of Sir Walter Ralegh. London facts are filled with amazing accounts of battles and regular warring for the development of whole nations. Monument, the 203ft stone obelisk located 203 ft away from where the fire broke out, commemorates those who died. The history of London England was directly impacted by the continuous exchanges of power in the greater country as a whole. The Liberties of the Fleet in many ways resembled Las Vegas of today – a notorious area famed for debauchery, where the reach of the law was restricted. It went on to become the site of Westminster Abbey and Westminster Palace, now better known as the Houses of Parliament. At Jonathan’s, the news was written up on boards behind the bar. It was founded as Londinium; 2. Annual Events. Beginning their occupation of Britain under Emperor Claudius in ad 43, the Roman armies soon gained control of much of the southeast of Britain. 1) The Romans first built London nearly 2000 years ago – but Boudicca, the queen of a Celtic tribe, burnt it to the ground a … It’s estimated that there are over 1,000 bodies under the station. Searchers most likely buried them there en-mass after the Great Plague. Surprisingly, it is actually meant to go by the name ‘The Clock Tower’, while ‘Big Ben’ is the name of the bell. Fascinating London History Facts . Facts about London. Today, London has the important status as the cultural and financial center. Facts about London History will trace back the history of London around 2,000 years ago. King Offa (who died in 796) issued a charter describing it as a “loco terribili”, while its modern name derived from the thorns that covered the area. Although it failed to save the arch, many other historic buildings owe their survival to groups formed as a result. She is…, Sustainable living is fundamental to protecting our environment and our future. You can unsubscribe at any time. … Competitions have been held here in 1908 and 1948. In the early 1700s, Chelsea Bun House was opened in Jew’s Row (now Pimlico Road), and it became the site of the invention of Chelsea buns. The history of London is unbelievable, terrifying, hilarious and incredible. London Life. The theatre was destroyed by fire in 1613 after its thatch was accidentally set alight by a cannon during a performance of Henry VIII. The primary function of military stronghold of the Tower didn’t change until the late 19th century. It has a population of only 9,123 people, making it the smallest in England. With January just around the corner and plenty of people already talking about ‘new starts’ and ‘healthier lifestyles’, we’ve been…, So things are going to be a little different this New Year’s Eve but that doesn’t mean we can’t still…, This is a guest post by Lisa Herms from Florida, USA, currently a resident at urbanest King’s Cross. Although she has many other royal residences, the Queen still sometimes resides in Buckingham Palace. The population of London rose from about 600,000 in 1700 to 950,000 in 1800. History of London; Roman London; Anglo-Saxon London; Norman and Medieval London; Tudor London; Stuart London; 18th-century London; 19th-century London; London 1900–1939; London in World War II; Modern London (from 1945) London in the 1960s; See also; Timeline London portal: 43 CE – Settlement named Londinium. In the south the city spread to Bermondsey, Rotherhithe, Walworth and Kennington. London Police Force. London is one of the largest cities in Europe. The structure is 365m in diameter; and 52m high in the middle; with 12 supporting poles, symbolising days, weeks and months of the year. Here are 10 Tower of London facts. The Millennium Dome is so big that it can fit the Great Pyramids of Giza comfortably under the roof! They carted away dead bodies and threw them in mass burial pits. The cross, built in the forecourt of Charing Cross station, is a Victorian replacement of the original, 180 yards away from its former location, now marked by a statue of Charles I on horseback looking down Whitehall. Briefly used for magic-lantern shows, the Colosseum was demolished in 1874 or 1875, and is now covered by Cambridge Gate. London was home to many famous faces. So, there you have it! In its day, the Bun House was hugely famous, prompting Jonathan Swift to celebrate the “Rrrrrrrare Chelsea buns” after he visited in 1711. Science, Tech, Math Science Math Social Sciences Computer Science Animals & Nature Humanities History & Culture Visual Arts Literature English Geography Philosophy Issues Languages English as a Second Language Spanish French German … Apparently, six ravens are still kept in the tower today and they must remain there at all times due to superstitious reasons. All black cab drivers must pass a test; 3. Located on Philpot Lane, the statue of two tiny mice eating cheese is dedicated to two builders who fell during construction of The Monument after an argument over a missing sandwich, that they blamed on each other but was actually the fault of a mice infestation. Some even walk around every part of the city as a way of lodging all the side streets and back alleys in their brains. Trafalgar Square was once renowned for housing thousands of feral pigeons, which tourists often fed or posed with. Its proprietor, Richard Hand, decorated the interior with clocks and curious artefacts. London - London - History: Although excavations west of London have revealed the remains of circular huts dating from before 2000 bc, the history of the city begins effectively with the Romans. In fact, the 1908 event achieved another record in its own right. In fact, The Great Wheel earns this title. Only three babies have ever been born in the Tube. Everything you ever wanted to know about... Edward I: man of principle or grasping opportunist? Westminster Bridge, London. One of the most visited cities in the world, London is also the most populous city of UK. London Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Thanks! It was renamed the Stock Exchange in 1773. No other city has played host this many times. The architects didn’t think much of their government I guess. Bridges in London. For 800 years before the Embankment was built, the Strand was the site of many of London’s finest houses – it boasted river views and close proximity to the City and Westminster. In the late 16th century, Paul Hentzner, a German visitor to the city, made some notes on the bridge: “Upon this is built a tower, on whose top the heads of such as have been executed for high treason are placed on iron spikes: we counted above thirty.”. Government. We’re lucky to have our accommodation in the city of London as it boasts a wealth of culture and history. Considering that it is perhaps the most famous theatre in the world, the original Globe had a surprisingly short – though highly eventful – existence. 1. First on our list of facts about London is the cultural diversity. That’s slightly more than the population of India! If you can think of any more fun facts about London, leave them in the comments! However, the attraction’s initial popularity soon waned, and in 1831 the building was sold to opera singer John Barham, whose dream to turn it into an opera house took both his fortune and his health. Table of Contents. 1. And no, the reason for it is not to look good on pictures. It turns out that its position on the banks of Thames River is carefully planned. When she’s home, you can see her royal flag flying from the flagpole. London was the first city to reach a population of 1 million in 1811. According to TFL, the most popular station is Waterloo, which sees 100.3 million passengers every year. It remained the largest city in the world until it was overtaken by Tokyo in 1957. It was made like that so a mob can never surround it. 23rd February 2018 Jess Kadel Among those known to have suffered this fate through the centuries are William Wallace, Sir Thomas More and Thomas Cromwell. This article was first published by History Extra in 2013, Save a huge 50% off a subscription to your favourite history magazine. Here are some interesting facts about London that are worth knowing: 1. What to see in London. In 1680, Jonathan Miles opened Jonathan’s Coffee Shop in Bank. So successful was the business that on Good Fridays, crowds of more than 50,000 people gathered outside the premises to purchase its products. You're now subscribed to our newsletter. What you think today of an amazing city has a long and not completely known history. Arrange a visit to the Houses of Parliament here. Another for our facts about London, has to be the numerous famous people that have lived there. It’s a shame it didn’t happen, London’s skyline could have done with a tropical feel. London is the capital city of England and the United Kingdom London is the largest city in the United Kingdom. More than crimson double-decker buses and warm beer, London has evolved over its 2000-year existence to become one of the most culturally relevant cities in the western hemisphere. For extra measures, each raven has a wing clipped, they even have a spare raven handy in case one flies away. Each year, the buses on London’s transport system drive over 300 million miles, which when you tot it up is more than 12x the earth’s circumference. In 2003, London Mayor Ken Livingstone banned feeding them or selling feed near the square. Richard Guard is the author of Lost London: An A-Z of Forgotten Llandmarks and Lost Traditions (Michael O’Mara Books, 2012). If you subscribe to BBC History Magazine Print or Digital Editions then you can unlock 10 years’ worth of archived history material fully searchable by Topic, Location, Period and Person. These facts about London will give you a taste of just how fascinating its history is. London boasts over 170 museums, from the massive British Museum, London’s most popular tourist attraction, to the tiny Fan Museum in Greenwich. Blue plaques now hang where these people lived. Authorities at the time and ‘mystery solvers’ since the killings have suspected a number of different people, however, including Prince Albert, Lewis Carroll and Queen Victoria’s doctor; Sir William Gull. When the Romans arrived they quickly chose the London area as the HQ for all activities in their new island colony perhaps because the area between present day Cannon Street Station and the Tower of London, on the north bank of the River Thames made an ideal port and with quick access to high ground. Not only does London have the best student accommodation, but also great history too. Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences, Sign up to our free newsletter to get the latest articles, podcasts and more. London Bridge has long been central to life in the capital, but one of its more macabre purposes was as a site for the display of traitors’ heads, impaled on spikes to serve as a warning to others. By 1800 growth had spread to Islington and Chelsea. 1. A vast rotunda known as the Colosseum was built in Regent’s Park by Decimus Burton between 1824 and 1827, featuring a dome very slightly larger than that of St Paul’s Cathedral. 1.265 billion people use the London Underground every year. The history finds out that London has experienced terrorist attacks, aerial bombardment, civil war, devastating fire, plaque, riots and civil war. Here, writing for History Extra, Guard lists 10 surprising facts about the history of London… 1 The origin of Charing Cross Also known as Eleanor’s Cross, the original Charing Cross was erected by Edward I following the death of his wife of 36 years, Eleanor of Castile, in 1290. At a point just north of the marshy valley of the Thames, where two … – facts about this historic city…. Over time, traders developed a network of runners who would bring them all the latest on returning ships. Originally formed by a loop of the Thames and the division of the Tyburn River, it is thought that Thorney Island may have been inhabited by the Romans. For more great posts from Urbanest about accommodation, London life, study tips and much more, visit the Student Journal. 2. It even found popularity among royalty, with both George II and George III visiting with their wives and children. Everything you know about 17th-century London is wrong, 10 things you (probably) didn’t know about the Great Fire of London, The earthquakes that rocked Georgian London, From politics to pleasure gardens: the real history behind Poldark’s 18th-century London, 5 facts about Shakespeare’s Globe theatre, The Globe theatre fire of 1613: when Shakespeare’s playhouse burned down, A drink for the devil: 8 facts about the history of coffee, Coffee, plague and the Great Fire: the pleasures and perils of Restoration London, Accidental explosions: gunpowder in Tudor and Stuart London, Touring London with Shakespeare, Dickens and Oscar Wilde: 7 must-see literary landmarks. They even went as far as using a hawk to keep them at bay, which evidently turned out to be successful. Here, writing for History Extra, Guard lists 10 surprising facts about the history of London…. We couldn’t create a list of facts about London without including the tube. No wonder it’s so hard to get a seat. The Houses of Parliament has 1,000 rooms,100 staircases, eleven courtyards, eight bars … How many of these London facts did you know before reading this? The River Thames. In a city filled with grand monuments and huge statues, it’s nice to know London has an official smallest statue. Surface of London to protect it today and they must remain there at times... Stadium is 75 % lighter than its “ big london history facts ” in Beijing a population of 1 million 1811... Of India t change until the late 19th century, 1123, 1666 and again in 1940 s.... You probably didn ’ t create a list of facts about London that you probably ’... Is present able to trace any such law, and food known.! Of any more fun facts about London, city, capital of most! Anne Boleyn, and eventually became the first city to ruins, the 203ft stone obelisk located 203 away. Well, gang, we ’ re lucky to have our accommodation london history facts world. 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