10 Fun and Unusual Facts About London 

My recent trip on an open top bus tour opened my eyes (and ears) to many historical facts about London – where I have lived for 10 years – and some more unusual ones too. Our Big Bus Tour guide, Neil, gave us detailed commentary on the city and some titbits I had never heard before. Here are some fun and quirky facts about London – you may never have heard of before.

1. Dragon Guardians 

Did you known dragons guard the boundary of the City of London (the financial district also known as the Square Mile)? Cast iron ones, I might add, on large plinths. They bear the coat of arms for the City painted in red and white. I have never noticed these before (or if I have, didn’t pause long enough to look) so thank you to our Big Bus tour guide, for pointing them out. There were originally two dragons guarding the entrance to the Coal Exchange. When it was demolished in 1962–3, they were re-erected on Victoria embankment and smaller ones added in various locations during the 1960s.

2. London’s first Irish pub

A city isn’t a city without an Irish pub, is it? London’s first ever was the Tipperary on Fleet Street. The pub itself dates back to 1605 and became an Irish pub over 400 years ago. It survived the Great Fire of London and it is likely to have be the first place in London, nay England, to serve Guinness!

3. St Paul’s Cathedral

St. Paul’s Cathedral, designed by Sir Christopher Wren (who else?), was rebuilt following the Great Fire of London. Despite walking past it many times, I hadn’t paid much attention to the large statue of Queen Anne outside the front entrance. St Paul’s Cathedral was completed during Queen Anne’s reign in 1710.

One of the lesser known royals, Queen Anne was the daughter of James II of England and Ireland. She ruled from 1702 until her death in 1717. She has a rather a sad story of numerous miscarriages, stillbirths and her only surviving son died aged 11 leaving the House of Stuart without an heir. The protestant House of Hanover eventually took over when she died.

4. Pirates

London once had the largest and busiest port in the world – bringing in treasure from around the world. With this business, there came pirates and it became known as the pirate capital of the world. Swift ‘justice’ was served to seamen who allegedly committed crimes. For four centuries, they were hanged at Execution Dock in Wapping. The more notorious pirates were tarred and left out to hang in sight of the boats – as a warning.

5. Monument

Monument was designed by Robert Hooke and Sir Christopher Wren to commemorate the Great Fire of London in 1666. But what I didn’t realise, was that it is the tallest hollow stone column you can climb up. With 311 steps to the top, the views are spectacular and you even get a certificate for completing the climb. Following a restoration in 2007-09, it now has a panoramic camera up there too which runs 24 hours a day. We recently walked up monument in our Great Fire of London walk.

6. The Fire of London

The devastating 1666 fire started in Pudding Lane after the ovens caught fire in Thomas Farriner’s shop. As many of the buildings were made of wood, 4 out of every 5 buildings were destroyed. I hadn’t realised quite how much of the Medieval City of London was burned to the ground.

The fire did give architect Sir Christopher Wren the opportunity to re-design many buildings, including 52 churches. As well as St Paul’s and Monument, he was responsible for buildings such as Royal Chelsea hospital, Greenwich Hospital as well as parts of Hampton Court and Kensington Palace.

7. Tower Bridge

Tower bridge isn’t as old as you may think –  just 120 years. Building took eight years and was completed in 1894. But, the reason you may think it looks more aged is because it was clad in older stone to match the Tower of London.

8. Tower of London Residents 

People actually live in Tower of London! Yes, that is their address. The Beefeaters (otherwise known as Yeoman Warders) can live there with their families. They are all former military personnel. In principle, they are responsible for looking after prisoners in Tower (the last one to be held there was in 1941) and safeguarding the Crown Jewels but in practice they act as tour guides.

9. Skyscrapers

The largest building in London (and the UK) is now The Shard which stands at 309.6m tall. But until the 1960s, London building regulations were in place to ensure no building was taller that St Paul’s Cathedral (111m high). The first modern skyscraper was the Post Office Tower (now the BT tower) built in 1965.

10. Walkie Talkie

Many visitors to London are very keen to go to the top of the Shard to see the 360 views over London. It does come with a hefty price tag (£25.95). But, as our friendly guide, Neil, revealed, the so-called ‘Walkie Talkie’ building on 20 Fenchurch street offers views for free. The design of the building is not hugely loved by many but book in advance to visit its Sky Garden and you can gaze over London for free.

*Pictures courtesy of Pixabay and Wander Mum

*I was given complimentary tickets for the Big Bus tour but all opinions are honest and completely my own