101 facts about London

Journey back in time with me as I uncover interesting and historical facts about London, from its ancient Roman roots to its modern-day status as a global cultural and financial hub.

Unusual and fun facts about London

• London's oldest building is the Temple of Mithras constructed around AD 240. Unearthed in 1954, it has been reconstructed at its original site within Bloomberg's European headquarters near the Bank of England, the world's second oldest central bank.      
• Watling Street in the City of London is one of London's oldest roads and once connected Dover, Canterbury and St Albans. It was constructed shortly after the Roman invasion of Britain around AD 47-48 and has been in use for more than 2,000 years. Other parts still exist as modern roads, such as Edgware Road and Old Kent Road. 
• London’s oldest landmark is the London Stone, a block of limestone that dates back to Roman times and served as a central milestone to mark the city. It is an important historical artefact, surviving the Great Fire of London (1666) and the Blitz during World War II (1940-1941). You can view it at 111 Cannon Street in the City of London.
• Borough Market in Southwark is London's oldest market. Its history dates back more than 1,000 years to at least the 12th century. Pilgrims to Canterbury Cathedral would stock up on supplies before starting their journeys from Southwark Cathedral, following the route of Thomas Becket. The journey from London is approximately 90 miles (145 kilometres) and takes about 7 to 10 days. 
• The Prospect of Whitby in Wapping and The Mayflower in Rotherhithe are two of London's oldest pubs, with both riverside venues dating back to 1520. The Prospect of Whitby, once known as "The Devil's Tavern," for its clientele, has a rich maritime history, while The Mayflower is linked to the historic ship that carried the Pilgrims to America in 1620.
• One of the oldest statues in London is of Queen Elizabeth I. Located on Fleet Street, it is the oldest surviving statue created during her lifetime and dates back to 1586. 
• Queen Victoria is one of the monarchs with the most statues in London, with the most famous being the Queen Victoria Memorial outside Buckingham Palace.
• London's oldest shop is Lock & Co. Hatters, established in 1676 in St. James's Street, Westminster. It is famous for being the world's oldest hat shop and is renowned for its high-quality hats and traditional hat fitting methods.
• London has the world’s oldest underground railway, affectionately known as "The Tube" by Londoners and visitors. It opened in 1863 with the first line being the Metropolitan Railway, which ran between Paddington (then called Bishop's Road) and Farringdon Street. 
• The longest road in London is Rotherhithe Street in Southwark, stretching 2.4 kilometres (1.5 miles) along the river Thames. 
• Leigh Hunt Street, off Southwark Bridge Road, is London's shortest street at about 36 feet (11 metres). It has no buildings and isn't marked on most maps, adding to its hidden charm. 
• The Shard is the tallest building in London at 309.6 metres (1,016 feet). In 2012, it overtook One Canada Square in Canary Wharf, which had been the tallest building since 1991. 
• London holds the record for hosting the most Olympic Games by a city, having welcomed the event three times - in 1908, 1948, and 2012.
• The Notting Hill Carnival, held every August, is Europe's largest street festival. It celebrates Caribbean culture with lively parades, music and delicious food.  

Interesting London facts you didn't know

• The old London Bridge, built between 1176 and 1209, was a lively thoroughfare. The bridge was originally lined with houses and shops until the buildings were demolished between 1757 and 1761. During its 620 years of existence, it witnessed many pivotal events in London's history. 
• In 1252, King Henry III received a polar bear as a gift from the King of Norway. The bear was housed in the Tower of London and given a long chain, allowing it to swim in the river Thames. 
• 10 Downing Street, where the Prime Minister resides, takes its name from Sir George Downing, a diplomat and spy who worked under Oliver Cromwell and King Charles II. He constructed the houses on the street in the 1680s. 
• Tweezer’s Alley dates to the 13th century and gets its name from a blacksmith's forge that once operated there. Interestingly, despite no longer renting the land, the City of London still pays rent to the Crown in the form of 61 nails and six giant horseshoes.
• The ancient ceremony of paying a non-monetary, symbolic rent to the Crown dates back to 1211 and is known as the Quit Rents Ceremony. With exception of the Coronation, it is one of the oldest legal ceremonies in England and is held annually at Royal Courts of Justice in London.
• Knightrider Street is thought to have been named after knights who travelled along the street to take part in tournaments and jousting events. The name "Knyghtridestrete" was first documented in 1322. 
• Wardrobe Place was named after the King's Wardrobe, a secure building for royal garments and personal belongings. It was established in 1359 during the reign of Edward III. 
• Bear Gardens in Southwark has a fascinating history. Its name comes from the ancient bear garden that once stood nearby. The area was notorious for its rough and rowdy atmosphere, where various forms of animal baiting and gambling were common. 
• Hidden beneath London's streets are rivers that once flowed above ground. For example, the river Fleet now runs entirely underground and empties into the river Thames, which is the longest river in England. 
• Westminster Abbey is the final resting place of more than 3,300 notable figures, including Geoffrey Chaucer, Charles Dickens, Sir Isaac Newton, the Unknown Warrior, and monarchs such as Edward the Confessor, Elizabeth I, and Mary, Queen of Scots. Interestingly, Elizabeth I was laid to rest with her half-sister Mary I in the Lady Chapel in 1606, despite their lifelong personal and religious conflicts as Tudor queens. The decision to bury them together and place Elizabeth’s coffin above Mary’s was made by King James I.
• Established in London in 1675 to aid mariners in determining longitude, Greenwich Mean Time became the world's time standard at the 1884 International Meridian Conference.
• In St. Paul's Cathedral, the Whispering Gallery built in 1709 is renowned for its unique acoustics. A whisper spoken against its wall can be distinctly heard on the opposite side, 112 feet away. 
• The distinctive red pillars with ornate designs that rise out of the river Thames are the remnants of the original Blackfriars Railway Bridge. It was built in 1864 and dismantled in 1985 due to structural weaknesses.
• The small green huts found around London are known as Cabmen's Shelters. They were built in the late 19th century to provide cab drivers operating horse-drawn carriages a place to rest and eat while waiting for fares. Today, only 13 of the original 61 small green huts remain, offering a glimpse into Victorian London's efforts to support its working class. 
• Tower Bridge, which opened in 1894, was originally painted chocolate brown, as it was Queen Victoria's favourite colour. It was repainted red, white and blue in 1977 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee. 
• The first London motor cabs appeared in 1903, in a variety of colours before black became the standard colour in 1948. This was the most affordable option for taxi drivers.
• London cab drivers began learning The Knowledge in 1865 during the era of horse-drawn carriages which were London's earliest form of public transport. This rigorous test to memorise more than 320 routes within a 6-mile radius of Charing Cross continued through to the transition to motorised cabs.
• London’s red buses first debuted in 1905. The distinct red livery was adapted by both the London Motor Omnibus Company and the London General Omnibus Company (LGOC) for their fleets. 
• The famous London Underground sign, known as the "roundel”, first appeared in 1908 to make station names more visible. Within the design, the circle symbolises London, the red disk is designed to attract attention, and the blue bar represents the river Thames. 
• London’s iconic red telephone boxes first appeared in 1926. They were designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott and introduced after he won a design competition organised by the General Post Office in 1924. The vibrant red colour was selected to make them easily noticeable. 
• Great Ormond Street Hospital holds the copyright to J.M. Barrie's "Peter Pan." This was a gift from Barrie in 1929 and provides the hospital with a source of income to this day.
• London has an abundance of green spaces and so many trees that it meets the United Nations' definition of a forest. 
• In July 2019, London became the world's first National Park City. This initiative strives to enhance urban areas by making them greener, healthier, and more vibrant, fostering a stronger connection between people and nature. 
• The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew holds a Guinness World Record for having the largest collection of living plants on earth. It is home to an impressive total of 16,900 species of plants from all over the world. 

Historical facts about London – a look at London's fascinating history

• London was originally named “Londinium” by the Romans, who settled in the City of London in AD 43.  
• The historic City of London is distinct from the 32 London boroughs. It operates as a unique local authority with its own governance, known as the City of London Corporation. Often called the "Square Mile," this area serves as the financial core of London.
• During the Little Ice Age, which lasted from the mid-14th century to the 19th century, the river Thames frequently froze over. The colder winters and the narrow arches of the old London Bridge slowed the river's flow, leading to more frequent freezes. This period gave rise to the famous Frost Fairs, held on the frozen river from the 17th to early 19th centuries. 
• London’s population significantly decreased due to the Black Death pandemic (1348-1349) and the Great Plague of London (1665-1666). There are numerous plague pit burial grounds across the city beneath underground stations, modern buildings, public parks and streets.   

Facts about London culture and traditions 

• London is rich with unique traditions that reflect its vibrant history and culture. Iconic ceremonies such as the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace showcase British pageantry and precision, while the annual Trooping the Colour parade celebrates the monarch's official birthday with grand military displays
• The traditional inauguration of the new Lord Mayor of the City of London is celebrated at The Lord Mayor's Show, an event dating back to 1215. This historic procession features elaborate floats, vibrant marching bands and a display of ceremonial grandeur. 
• Each year, Freemen of the City of London uphold their historic privilege of herding sheep across London Bridge. This medieval tradition has evolved into a charitable event held every September.
• The Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London is an ancient tradition involving the nightly locking of the gates, which has taken place for more than 700 years.
• A bale of straw is hung from London bridges to alert ships that headroom is reduced due to maintenance. This charming tradition, which has been practised at for centuries, continues to this day... even on recent additions such as Millennium Bridge.
• With more than 300 languages spoken, London is one of the most linguistically diverse cities in the world. 
• London has been a renowned cultural hub for centuries, with its prominence beginning during the Elizabethan era, marked by the rise of theatre and playwrights such as William Shakespeare. Over the years, its cultural significance continued to grow, especially during the Victorian era, when many museums, galleries, and cultural institutions were established. It is home to iconic music venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, opened in 1871, the Roundhouse, and The O2 Arena, the world's most popular entertainment venue.
• Denmark Street in Soho, known as "Tin Pan Alley", has traditionally been the heart of the British music industry since the 1950s, with connections to famous artists such as The Rolling Stones and Elton John. 
• London is the birthplace of many notable figures, such as authors Charles Dickens and Virginia Woolf, musicians David Bowie and Adele and monarchs Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth II, and King Charles III.
• Sir Isaac Newton lived in London while serving as Warden and later Master of the Royal Mint, where he worked on currency reform and combating counterfeiting. 
• Charles Dickens lived in various locations around London, including Bloomsbury and Holborn. His home at 48 Doughty Street is now the Charles Dickens Museum. He often walked the streets at night, drawing inspiration for his novels from the city's diverse characters and scenes. 
• Virginia Woolf, a renowned writer and member of the Bloomsbury Group, lived in various parts of London, including Bloomsbury and Richmond. Her novel Mrs Dalloway captures the essence of London life in the early 20th century. 
• The tradition of afternoon tea is thought to have been introduced in London by Anna, the Duchess of Bedford, in the early 1840s to bridge the gap between lunch and dinner. This delightful practice quickly became a fashionable social event, filling the elegant drawing rooms of London homes with the aroma of tea and lively conversation. Today, afternoon tea remains a beloved ritual, enchanting visitors and locals alike. 
• One of London’s cherished traditions is Wimbledon, the world's oldest tennis tournament, established in 1877. Spectators can enjoy traditional strawberries and cream while watching top players compete. 
• Breaking with tradition, the only road in the UK where you can drive on the right is the small road leading from The Savoy Hotel to The Strand. 
• Traditionally, London is a popular choice for filmmakers, with many scenes from the Harry Potter film series shot in the city, including Platform 9¾ at King's Cross Station and Diagon Alley at Leadenhall Market. Other notable films shot in London include "Notting Hill," "Sherlock Holmes," and the "James Bond" movies.

Famous London landmarks and their secrets

Facts about Big Ben

• The Great Bell, affectionately known as Big Ben, inside the Elizabeth Tower at the Palace of Westminster first rang on 31 May 1859, the same year that the tower was completed. 
• The original bell cracked during testing and had to be replaced. The current bell, which was cast in 1858, also cracked but has been rotated, with a lighter hammer used to strike it. It is not the largest bell in England, that title belongs to the Olympic Bell, also known as the London 2012 Bell. The next largest bell still in use is Great Paul at St Paul’s Cathedral. Cast in 1881, it remains the heaviest bell ever made in the UK.
• Big Ben's clock has been wound manually since its installation in 1859. Today, it is wound three times a week using a combination of an auto-winding mechanism and a manual handle. This routine ensures the clock remains accurate and functional.
• Each of Big Ben's clock dials is made from 324 panes of mouth-blown opal glass. These are cleaned every five years by abseiling technicians to ensure the iconic clock remains in top condition.
• Big Ben's accuracy is maintained by adjusting the pendulum with old pennies, keeping it within two seconds of the correct time. 
• You can now visit Big Ben with guided tours available of the Elizabeth Tower. You'll need to climb 334 steps to reach the Belfry where Big Ben is located. 

Facts about the London Eye 

• The London Eye isn't a typical Ferris wheel; it's a cantilevered observation wheel uniquely supported by an A-frame on one side.
• It was initially meant to be a temporary structure, before it received a permanent license in 2002.
• The London Eye has hosted numerous special events and celebrations, such as the New Year's Eve fireworks and the 2012 Olympic torch relay.
• The London Eye has appeared in many films and TV shows, establishing itself as a sought-after filming spot.
• Private capsules can be booked for special occasions such as weddings, proposals, and corporate events.

Fun facts about the Tower of London

• The Tower of London was established by William the Conqueror in 1070 to defend against Viking invasions. This makes it approximately 959 years old as of 2025. It comprises 20 towers, houses 150 people, six ravens, and the Crown Jewels. It has served as a palace, prison, mint, observatory, menagerie, and a public records office. 
• The Yeomen Warders, also known as “Beefeaters” were established as the monarch’s bodyguards by Henry VII in 1485, and under Henry VIII’s influence were also made to guard the Tower of London. 
• Ralf Flambard, Bishop of Durham, was the Tower of London's first prisoner in 1101. Arrested for selling church benefices, he escaped by making his guards drunk and fleeing by rope. The Tower has also housed notable prisoners such as Anne Boleyn, Sir Thomas More and Guy Fawkes. 
• In 1303, the Crown Jewels were moved to the Tower of London after jewels went missing from Westminster. The Abbot of Westminster, 48 monks and 32 others were imprisoned as suspects. 
• The Tower of London has witnessed 59 recorded executions, typically carried out on Tower Green or Tower Hill. The last execution was that of German spy Josef Jakobs in 1941.    

Facts about the Houses of Parliament 

• In 1045, the Houses of Parliament, also known as the Palace of Westminster, was a medieval royal palace during the reign of Edward the Confessor. It remains the largest palace in the UK owned by the reigning monarch and has been the home of British Parliament since 1295. 
• The State Opening of Parliament is one of the oldest ceremonies dating back centuries, and marks the beginning of the parliamentary year. 
• Wearing a suit of armour in the Houses of Parliament has been against the law since 1313. 
• After a devastating fire in 1834, the Houses of Parliament were significantly rebuilt in 1870, in the iconic Gothic Revival style. 
• In 1858, the smell from the river Thames was so unbearable that the Houses of Parliament considered relocating, an event famously known as "The Great Stink." 
• The Houses of Parliament contains approximately 1,100 rooms, 100 staircases, 11 courtyards, several bars and restaurants, a hair salon, and a rifle-shooting range.  

Theatres, museums and galleries: London’s cultural icons

Facts about London’s theatres

• London's West End, with more than 40 theatres, is one of the world's largest theatre districts. 
• The original Globe Theatre, built in 1599 by Shakespeare's playing company, the Lord Chamberlain's Men, burnt down in 1613 during a performance of Henry VIII, when a misfired cannon set the roof on fire. The theatre was originally located in Shoreditch in 1576, before being transported to Southwark, approximately 230 metres from the current site.
• London's most haunted theatres include the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, which opened in 1663 and boasts a long history of ghostly sightings. Another notable venue is the Palace Theatre, where two seats are permanently bolted open for the resident ghosts.
• Shakespeare’s Globe is the only building in London allowed to have a thatched roof since the Great Fire of 1666.
• The Dominion Theatre is located on the site of the Great Beer Flood of 1814, where more than 570 tons of beer from Meux & Co's Horse Shoe Brewery created a 15-foot high wave that flooded the area.
• Opened in 1881, the Savoy Theatre was the world's first public building entirely lit by electricity. 
• The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie, premiering in London's West End in 1952, is the world's longest-running play. 
• The Phantom of the Opera, by Andrew Lloyd Webber, has been running at Her Majesty's Theatre since 1986, making it one of the longest-running musicals in West End history.  

Facts about London’s museums

• Founded in 1753, the British Museum is the world's oldest national public museum. It houses over 8 million objects, but only 1% are on display at any given time. The museum had its own tube station from 1900 to 1933.
• London's Museum Quarter in South Kensington is home to some of the world's most prestigious museums, including the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum. This cultural hub was developed after the Great Exhibition of 1851, which showcased global innovations and led to the establishment of these renowned institutions.
• The Natural History Museum, founded in 1753 from Sir Hans Sloane's collection, houses around 80 million specimens across five main collections: botany, entomology, mineralogy, palaeontology, and zoology. 
• The Victoria and Albert Museum, founded in 1852, is the world's largest museum of decorative arts and design, housing more than 2.8 million objects. Originally called the Museum of Manufactures, it was renamed in 1899 in honour of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. 
• Founded in 1857 as part of the South Kensington Museum, the Science Museum houses more than 300,000 items, including the Apollo 10 command module, Stephenson's Rocket and the first jet engine. 
• The Cutty Sark museum is a unique venue, located on the historic 19th-century tea clipper in Greenwich. It operates as a museum by day and transforms into an intimate theatre by night, using tea chests for the stage and seating.
• London's Postal Museum offers a unique experience with a ride on the Mail Rail, an underground train that historically transported letters and parcels beneath London's streets.

Facts about London’s art galleries

• The Royal Academy of Arts, founded in 1768, is one of Britain's oldest and most historic art institutions. It organises annual exhibitions, notably the renowned Summer Exhibition, which features artworks from both emerging and established artists.
• Nestled beneath St Pancras Parish Church, the Crypt Gallery, built in 1822, has a rich history as a former burial ground and air-raid shelter during both World Wars. Today, it serves as an atmospheric art space, hosting various exhibitions and events, with its unique setting adding a historical and eerie charm to the displayed artworks.
• Founded in 1824 and located in Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery houses more than 2,300 paintings from the mid-13th century to 1900, including masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet. 
• Established in 1897, Tate Britain is dedicated to British art from the 16th century to the present day and holds the largest collection of works by JMW Turner. 
• Tate Modern is one of the world's largest modern art galleries, featuring works by Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, and Damien Hirst. It is housed in the former Bankside Power Station and was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, the architect behind the iconic red telephone boxes.
• Each year, the Serpentine Pavilion commission invites an internationally renowned architect to design a temporary pavilion, attracting global attention. 

How old is London?

London was established by the Romans as a trading and administrative settlement in the City of London in AD 43. This makes London approximately 1,982 years old as of 2025.  

What is famous about London? 

London is renowned globally for its rich history, vibrant culture and centuries-old landmarks such as Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament. These are must-visit attractions that offer a glimpse into the capital’s past and architectural grandeur. 

The city has also served as the backdrop for numerous popular films, including James Bond, Notting Hill, Paddington Bear and the Harry Potter series, adding a touch of cinematic magic to its streets.

While you're here, why not indulge in a traditional or themed afternoon tea, follow in the footsteps of royalty as you explore magnificent palaces, snap a selfie by one of the iconic red phone boxes, or discover the homes and workplaces of many notable figures throughout history?

Why is London so unique?

London's uniqueness lies in its rich culture and historical legacy, beautifully showcased through its architectural marvels and famous venues. From the magnificent Houses of Parliament to the sleek, modern elegance of The Shard, the city offers a fascinating blend of old and new.

But London is more than just its buildings; it's a vibrant cultural melting pot. Every corner of the city offers a taste of its diverse heritage, reflected in its eclectic food, lively festivals, and unique neighbourhoods. 

Whether you're ticking off the coolest places in London, exploring the bustling markets or enjoying a quiet moment in one of the capital's many green spaces, there are always more hidden gems to discover.

As a global hub for arts and entertainment, London dazzles with world-class theatre productions and an array of galleries and museums, including the British Museum and Tate Modern. The city's prestigious educational institutions, such as Imperial College London and the London School of Economics, add to its intellectual allure. And let's not forget the magic of London immortalised in films and books, from the adventures of Sherlock Holmes to the enchanting world of Harry Potter.

With its royal heritage adding a touch of regal splendour, London is a city that constantly evolves while retaining its dynamic energy. Whether you're snapping a selfie by an iconic red phone box or tracing the footsteps of notable figures throughout history, London offers an experience that is truly one-of-a-kind.