51 Spiffing Facts About London

1. London is the capital city of both England and the United Kingdom.
2. The city was founded by the Romans in AD 43 and they named it Londinium.
3. London is known as the city of bridges, boasting over 30 bridges.
4. London has a diverse range of people and cultures, with over 300 languages spoken.
5. The iconic Big Ben is not a tower. It’s actually the bell inside the tower. The tower itself is called the Elizabeth Tower.
6. Over 8 million people live in London.
7. London’s transport system is one of the oldest in the world. The London Underground, also known as the Tube, was the first of its kind and was built in 1863.
8. London’s Routemaster buses, known for their red double-decker design, are recognized worldwide.
9. London is home to four UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Tower of London, Kew Gardens, the Palace of Westminster, and Greenwich.
10. The British Museum in London has a collection of over 8 million objects.
11. The Shard, standing 1,016 feet tall, is the tallest building in London and the European Union.
12. The Tower of London was once a zoo. King John started the trend in the 13th century.
13. There are more than 170 museums in London.
14. The London Eye is the tallest Ferris wheel in Europe.
15. London was the first city to host the Summer Olympics three times: 1908, 1948, and 2012.
16. The British Library in London is the second largest library in the world, with over 150 million items.
17. The smallest statue in London is of two mice eating a piece of cheese. It’s located on Philpot Lane.
18. Over 1000 bodies are buried under Aldgate station, a plague pit from 1665.
19. Blackfriars is the only train station to have entrances on both sides of the Thames.
20. London has over 17000 bus stops.
21. The Palace of Westminster, home to the British Parliament, has over 1000 rooms.
22. The city of London is one of the world’s leading financial centers.
23. The Queen’s Guard at Buckingham Palace are not just ceremonial guards but also serving soldiers.
24. The Great Fire of London destroyed 87% of the city in 1666.
25. London’s oldest pub is believed to be The White Hart, dating back to 1216.
26. Harrods, London’s iconic department store, once had a cobra to guard a pair of shoes worth £62,000.
27. Covent Garden’s Apple Market is not named after the fruit but after a former landlord, the Duchess of Bedford, who was nicknamed “The Apple.”
28. The Wimbledon Tennis Championships is the oldest tennis tournament in the world and one of four Grand Slam tournaments. It’s held annually in London.
29. The Beatles performed their last gig on the rooftop of Apple Records in London.
30. More than half of the London Underground runs above ground.
31. There’s a statue of a nose inside Admiralty Arch. It’s said to be Napoleon’s, and touching it is considered good luck.
32. Despite its name, the 100 Club, a famous music venue, is located at 100 Oxford Street.
33. London’s Trafalgar Square Christmas tree is an annual gift from Norway as a token of gratitude for Britain’s support during World War II.
34. Despite being known as London Bridge, the famous bridge in London is actually called Tower Bridge.
35. There is a parking ticket issued every 4 seconds in London.
36. London has the highest concentration of higher education institutions in Europe.
37. Over 15 million tourists visit London every year.
38. There is one road in London where you have to drive on the right, a departure from the standard British practice of driving on the left. This is the entrance to the Savoy Hotel.
39. The City of London, London’s financial district, is also known as the Square Mile and remains semi-autonomous to this day.
40. London’s financial district has its own private police force, the City of London Police.
41. London is home to more Indian restaurants than Mumbai or Delhi.
42. The city has hosted more premieres of James Bond movies than any other city.
43. The London Zoo is the world’s oldest scientific zoo.
44. There are 6 ravens that live in the Tower of London. Legend says if they leave, the kingdom will fall.
45. The dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London is the second-largest cathedral dome in the world.
46. London’s Regent’s Park contains a secret garden only open for two hours a day.
47. The first ever public zoo opened in London in 1829.
48. Over 12% of British people were born in London.
49. London has been called Londonium, Ludenwic, and Ludenburg in the past.
50. The Houses of Parliament are officially known as the Palace of Westminster and it is the largest palace in the country.
51. London’s smallest house is 3.5 feet wide and 8 feet long.

Originally posted 2023-09-21 21:07:51.

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