London, the capital city of England, is a global hub of culture, history, and innovation. From its iconic landmarks to its thriving arts scene, London is a city that has something for everyone. With a rich history dating back to Roman times, London has been at the center of some of the world’s most significant events and developments. So, let’s take a closer look at this fascinating city with 20 London facts that will give you a deeper understanding of its past and present.
1-5 Fun Facts About London
1. The City of London may be one of the smallest cities in the UK, with just over 7,000 residents, but its administrative district of Greater London is a true behemoth. With a population of over 8.3 million, it’s large enough to fit more than 4 New York Cities and almost 50 Parises!
2. Only about 49.9% of people in London are white.
3. London boasts a wonderfully diverse population, with over 300 different languages spoken among its people.
4. Every year, the citizens of Oslo present the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree as a token of gratitude to London for their assistance during World War 2. It’s a heartwarming tradition that celebrates the enduring bond between the two nations.
5. Chess and boxing may seem like unlikely bedfellows, but in Berlin and London, they’ve combined to create a new hybrid sport: chess boxing. Players alternate between a round of chess and a round of boxing and the winner is declared by checkmate, knockout, or technical stoppage. It’s a high-stakes game that tests both brains and brawn!
6-10 Interesting Facts About London
6. If you’re planning on becoming a London cabbie, be prepared for a daunting challenge: “The Knowledge.” This rigorous test requires you to memorize every single street and landmark in the city, a feat that can take up to four years to master. But once you’ve passed, you’ll be a true London expert, ready to take on any challenge the city throws your way.
7. Driving in downtown London can be expensive, thanks to the dreaded “congestion charge” that applies from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Luckily, there’s a sneaky way to avoid it: register your car as a private taxi and never pick up any passengers. Just make sure you’re not caught!
8. London is full of surprises, but perhaps none more so than the “rain room,” where rain falls everywhere except on the spot where you’re standing. It’s a surreal experience that’s sure to leave you feeling both exhilarated and completely dry.
9. Did you know that the statue of George Washington in Trafalgar Square sits on soil imported from the USA? Legend has it that the founding father refused to set foot on English soil again, so the Americans had to bring a little piece of home to him. It’s a quirky footnote in the history of two great nations.
Read More: 20 Mind-Blowing Facts about George Washington
10. Did you know that the iconic “Big Ben” clock tower in London is actually called “The Elizabeth Tower”? That’s right, the tower itself is not named after the bell inside, which is known as “Big Ben.” It’s a common misconception that even many Londoners are unaware of!
11-15 Weird Facts About London
11. In a printing error that would make any grammar nerd cringe, two London Bible printers accidentally left the word “not” out of the seventh commandment in 1631, turning it into a command to commit adultery. And if you’ve got a spare $90k lying around, you can own one of the few surviving copies of this scandalous misprint.
12. It’s hard to believe now, but in the 18th century, the infamous Bedlam asylum was actually a popular tourist attraction in London. Visitors paid a penny to gawk at the suffering inmates, and admission was even free on Tuesdays.
13. Isaac Newton may be best known for his groundbreaking scientific discoveries, but in 17th century London, he was also a bit of a rogue cop. As a warden of the Royal Mint, he chased counterfeiters, bribed crooks for information, and even threatened their families. And if that wasn’t enough, he burned all his notes to cover his tracks.
Read More: 15 Mind-Blowing Facts about Isaac Newton
14. In the 1800s, being gay in London was a crime punishable by imprisonment or worse. To avoid detection, gay men developed their secret slang language so they could communicate in public without fear of arrest. It’s a testament to the resilience and creativity of a community that was forced to hide in plain sight.
15. The Port of London still upholds the tradition of requiring Royal Navy ships to present a barrel of rum to the Constable of the Tower as a tribute.
16-20 Shocking Facts About London
16. The true identity of Jack the Ripper, London’s infamous serial killer, remains a mystery even to this day.
17. Trafalgar Square was once home to countless wild pigeons, which visitors used to feed or take pictures with. However, in 2003, London Mayor Ken Livingstone prohibited feeding them or selling bird feed in the area, and even employed a hawk to keep them at bay.
18. London has been home to countless famous people throughout history, including Karl Marx, Charles Darwin, Sylvia Plath, Charles Dickens, Jimi Hendrix, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Florence Nightingale, and many more. Blue plaques now hang on the buildings where these luminaries lived.
19. With a staggering 1.265 billion annual ridership, the London Underground serves more people than the entire population of India! No wonder it’s often hard to secure a seat.
20. During the 1700s in London, prostitution was prevalent among women, with roughly one in every five women engaging in the trade.
That’s it for this post guys, I hope you had fun while reading 20 Fun and Weird Facts About London.
Have a good day :>
