London is such an intriguing city and one you think you know everything about. Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Oxford Street, Piccadilly Circus, the infamous private member's club, Home House and Black Cabs - these are some of the greatest and most well-known landmarks of all time. But, just when you think you have learnt everything you possibly could, what of the facts and stories that so often fall under the radar?
For example, I had no idea that 55% of the London Underground is actually above ground, no idea at all. And the travel shockers don't just end there either as I was even more stunned to find out that the most popular tube journey between Leicester Square and Covent Garden on the Piccadilly line, is actually quicker to walk instead - unbelievable, talk about carbon footprint!
The same astonished look on my face soon came back when I delved deeper into the history and landmarks of London to discover Marble Arch was originally built as the entrance to Buckingham Palace. Not only that, Covent Garden is actually a spelling mistake and was supposed to read as Convent Garden because of its existence as a market garden for what is now Westminster Abbey monastery and convent. However, nothing could prepare me for my final landmark 'shocker' did you know that the London Eye receives more yearly visitors than other famous tourist hot spots such as the Taj Mahal and the Great Pyramids of Giza?
But perhaps we are not so little especially when you take into consideration that restaurants in The Big Smoke actually total a remarkable 22% of all restaurants in Britain. In fact, Paris is the only other city in the World that can boast more Michelin Star restaurants than London; we even surpass New York!
On a final note, we have some more bizarre facts, stories such as how the first demonstration regarding television took place in a small office above what is now known as Bar Italia in Frith Street, Soho. And the department store Harrods - I never realised that it actually existed pre-1916 and was a store that sold medical supplies such as cocaine, morphine, syringes and needles to the soldiers who returned from the front. The final and most interesting thing I learnt is of Big Ben. For a clock I thought had never stopped working, I was amazed to hear how, back in 1949, it actually slowed by 5 minutes when a flock of starlings landed on the minute hand.
With all these intriguing facts, you cannot help but to feel London is one of the best cities to visit this side of Europe. Steeped in rich history and nostalgia, you're never a stone's throw away from an interesting story or two so keep your eyes peeled and your ears open at every given opportunity you never know what secrets may come to light.
For example, I had no idea that 55% of the London Underground is actually above ground, no idea at all. And the travel shockers don't just end there either as I was even more stunned to find out that the most popular tube journey between Leicester Square and Covent Garden on the Piccadilly line, is actually quicker to walk instead - unbelievable, talk about carbon footprint!
The same astonished look on my face soon came back when I delved deeper into the history and landmarks of London to discover Marble Arch was originally built as the entrance to Buckingham Palace. Not only that, Covent Garden is actually a spelling mistake and was supposed to read as Convent Garden because of its existence as a market garden for what is now Westminster Abbey monastery and convent. However, nothing could prepare me for my final landmark 'shocker' did you know that the London Eye receives more yearly visitors than other famous tourist hot spots such as the Taj Mahal and the Great Pyramids of Giza?
But perhaps we are not so little especially when you take into consideration that restaurants in The Big Smoke actually total a remarkable 22% of all restaurants in Britain. In fact, Paris is the only other city in the World that can boast more Michelin Star restaurants than London; we even surpass New York!
On a final note, we have some more bizarre facts, stories such as how the first demonstration regarding television took place in a small office above what is now known as Bar Italia in Frith Street, Soho. And the department store Harrods - I never realised that it actually existed pre-1916 and was a store that sold medical supplies such as cocaine, morphine, syringes and needles to the soldiers who returned from the front. The final and most interesting thing I learnt is of Big Ben. For a clock I thought had never stopped working, I was amazed to hear how, back in 1949, it actually slowed by 5 minutes when a flock of starlings landed on the minute hand.
With all these intriguing facts, you cannot help but to feel London is one of the best cities to visit this side of Europe. Steeped in rich history and nostalgia, you're never a stone's throw away from an interesting story or two so keep your eyes peeled and your ears open at every given opportunity you never know what secrets may come to light.
About the Author:
Dine in style at top restaurants london england. Home House of Portman Square is the perfect place to spend an evening, weekend or working day, with a range of beautiful restaurants, bars, drawing rooms, bedrooms, gardens and exclusive events at Home House members only club in London.
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