We’ve all heard that Jack the Ripper was never caught and that the Great Fire of London began in a bakery on Pudding Lane. But what are those historical facts about London you don’t know? Home to haunted tube stations, and one of the world’s smallest statues, here are ten historical facts about London you are most likely unaware of.
1. The UK Will Fall if the Ravens Ever Flee the Tower of London
One of the capital’s oldest and most recognizable landmarks, the formidable Tower of London dates all the way back to the days of William the Conqueror, and it has seen a whole lot happen in those 1,000 or so years — including many gruesome executions and the imprisonment of Elizabeth I, Guy Fawkes, Anne Boleyn, and Sir Walter Raleigh.
Famously housing the glittering Crown Jewels, it is also home to a flock of ravens who are known as the “Guardians of the Tower.” Legend states that they’ve been there since the reign of King Charles II back in the mid-to-late 17th century and that if they should ever escape or leave the Tower, then both the Crown and Britain will fall. That might explain why they are currently kept under strict lock and key…
2. Trafalgar Square’s Christmas Tree is a Gift From Norway
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Sign up to our Free Weekly NewsletterIt may have had its fair share of ridicule over the years due to its diminutive stature (with many a mean tweet posted about its shortcomings), however, the story behind this famous Christmas tree—which arrives in the capital every December—is actually a fairly charming one.
A long-cherished tradition, the arrival of the Norwegian spruce is a gift from the Scandinavian country to the UK to thank the country for the support they gave Norway during the Second World War. Rumor has it that this tradition may stop due to environmental concerns around shipping the tree over from Scandinavia, though this remains to be seen.
3. London is Home to One of the World’s Smallest Statues
London is famous for its magnificent buildings, its monuments, and statues like Cleopatra’s Needle, Nelson’s Column, and the Angel of Peace, which sits atop the mighty Wellington Arch in Green Park. But it may surprise you that the UK’s capital is also home to one of the world’s smallest statues.
Located in Philpot Lane in the City of London, “The Two Mice Eating Cheese” was built back in 1862, and legend has it that this diminutive work of art was either commissioned to commemorate the death of two construction workers nearby or—for a much lighter reason—because the workers kept losing their lunch to the pesky rodents. Whatever the reason, you’ll have to try and see if you can find them during a wander through the area!
4. Big Ben Isn’t the Actual Name of the Landmark Tower
One of London’s most famous landmarks, the UNESCO-listed Big Ben is a mighty 96-meters (314 feet) tall and it has been a staple of the capital since it was finished back in 1859. Most people know the tower as “Big Ben,” but this is, in fact, completely false. “Big Ben” relates to the name of the bell inside — which weighs a whopping 13.7 tons! Rumor has it that the name is derived from Sir Benjamin Hall, a Welsh politician who oversaw its installation.
The tower itself is now named the “Elizabeth Tower” after Her Late Majesty the Queen, and after a six-year renovation project, it is now open to the public for tours. You can experience the inner workings of the tower, the clock mechanism room, and of course, the Belfry where the famous bell is actually located. You’ll need to be relatively fit to visit though — there are 334 stairs to get up there and it is often booked up well in advance.
5. London Has Some Historic “Houses” Which Are Hiding a Secret
Make your way to Leinster Gardens in Bayswater, West London, and chances are that you’ll spot something slightly out of the ordinary about houses number 23 and 24. The facades look normal enough, but if you peek a little closer, you’ll notice that there’s nothing inside. Why? Well, you’ll have to look all the way back to the 1860s, when the Metropolitan Line was being constructed.
Predominantly, the line was constructed using the “cut and cover” method, which means that the tunnel was dug from above instead of below and then filled in so that the houses above were destroyed. To keep up appearances with the surrounding area—which has many listed buildings and has featured in the hit TV show Sherlock—these “houses” were rebuilt to hide the track from passing eyes.
6. The City Has Some Rather Saucy Street Names
Now we all know that Londoners love a rude word, and this is reflected in some of the street names too. However, some of them were so rude they’ve been changed — “Pissing Alley” we’re looking at you.
On the other hand, “Cock Lane” in Farringdon and Clerkenwell still exists and was so-named due to it being the epicenter of prostitution back in Medieval times. In fact, it was the only place where it was actually considered legal during the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries, so there were plenty of brothels dotted about here back in the day. Now, you’ll find slightly less amorous establishments like travel agents, tax consultants, and of course pubs nearby. This is London after all…
7. “The Ceremony of the Keys” is One of London’s Oldest Traditions
“Halt, who goes there!” An ancient tradition which harks back to over 700 years ago, “The Ceremony of the Keys” takes place every night at the Tower of London and it is one of the oldest surviving enactments of its kind in the whole world. It forms part of the traditional “locking up” of the tower, and it follows the Chief Yeoman Warder who carries the keys escorted by a group of armed soldiers.
It was first introduced back in the mid-14th century when a furious King Edward III turned up at the Tower unannounced and was able to walk straight in. Since then, the tradition has only been missed once — on December 29, 1940, when the Tower was hit by a German bomb. No surprises they missed it that night, really.
8. Things Can Get a Little Bit Spooky in Bank Station
Now Bank station is scary enough given how easy it is to get lost in but add in a ghostly specter too and it can get even spookier! Since the 19th century, there have been sightings of a shadowy black figure stalking the tunnels with an accompanying putrid smell.
The reason? Bank station was built over a mass grave which is the final resting place of many victims of the bubonic plague. The spooky figure is thought to be the “Black Nun,” who is thought to be mourning the death of her beloved brother who worked at the bank which gave the station its name, and who was sadly executed for reasons unknown.
9. The Tube Is the World’s Oldest Underground Network
When it comes to historical facts about London, then this one is something to be pretty proud of. Sure, it may be plagued by delays, congestion, and even a rumored infestation of bed bugs (yikes!), but the tube was the first ever designated underground railway system — beating the likes of Istanbul, Chicago, Paris, Berlin, and New York.
It began its life back in 1863 in between Farringdon and Paddington—currently a route still taken by the Circle and Hammersmith and City lines—and it consisted of wooden, gaslit carriages that were pulled by steam-driven locomotives. It is safe to say that things have changed quite substantially since then!
10. London Was the World’s Largest City for 100 Years
London has a population of around nine million people, so by modern-day standards, it is not even within the top 30 of the world’s largest cities. But journey back to the mid-19th century and you’ll find that it was a very different story. The British capital overtook Beijing as the world’s largest city in around 1831, and it kept its crown until after the First World War in 1925 when New York City took over the top spot. It is also one of the most diverse cities in the world given its history with the British Commonwealth, and as a result, it is home to some of the most eclectic array of restaurants, bars, and street food markets anywhere in Europe.
