What do you think about london

What do tourists really think of London? We asked them.

Londoners have strong opinions on visitors to the capital, but what do they make of us and our city? Isabelle Aron finds out. Portraits Andy Parsons

Tourists have a bit of a bad rep in this city. But for all the (selfie) stick we give them, they’re a huge part of London life. Want to know why Covent Garden’s so damn busy? Because 19.88 million people from overseas came to London in 2016, making it the second most visited city in the world. (Bangkok scooped the top spot, but it does have tropical beaches nearby.)

People have long flocked to London for its hedonism, shopping and culture. (In 1900, the Charing Cross Turkish Baths – complete with a chiropodist – was a hotspot for visitors.) Tourists are as much a part of the city as locals.

We weary Londoners take so much of our brilliant city for granted. We try desperately to avoid ‘tourist traps’ and barely bat an eyelid at the views as we rush along the South Bank. But tourists see things with fresh eyes, appreciating all the stuff we forget to. They celebrate the things that give London its identity – from Beefeaters and double-decker buses to amazing parks and free museums. Plus, they bring a huge amount of cash into the capital (£11.9 billion last year, to be exact).

So forget the stereotypes about escalator etiquette and giant rucksacks on the tube – we’ve spent years having our say about tourists. Now it’s time to turn the tables. We headed to London’s biggest landmarks to find out what tourists had to say about us and our city.

Perhaps most surprisingly, none of them seemed to think that Londoners were rude, although maybe they were just being polite. Either way, speaking to visitors highlighted how lucky we are to live in such a vibrant city. Tourists clearly have a lot of love for London – so it’s time we started showing them some back. Even when they’re standing on the wrong side of the escalator…

Alicia and Jon, USA (pictured above)

Is London how you expected it to be?

‘I’m from New York, so I have high standards for cities and I’m like, “Wow! I’m really impressed with London.”’

Got any big plans while you’re here?

‘We’re going to Sketch tonight – I think that’s a must-do. I want to check out the bars in east London because the vibe is like Brooklyn.’

Have you found Londoners rude?

‘It’s hard to top the rudeness of New Yorkers.’

What about our public transport? Does it measure up to New York’s?

‘We took the subway. I was surprised by how narrow the cars are. I figured it would be a bigger, er, tube.’

Josephina and Francisco, Argentina

How does London compare with Buenos Aires?

‘London is less crowded, much less noisy. We’ve walked around the sights like St Paul’s Cathedral and it seems quiet to us.’

Is the city what you expected?

‘I was expecting more big buildings, very tall buildings, more office buildings. Instead, all the buildings are very low.’

Have you seen the Shard? That’s about as tall as our buildings get.

‘I thought it was going to be taller.’

Vladimir and Nadia, Russia

What did you think a stereotypical ‘Londoner’ was like before you came here?

‘I used to think Londoners were very closed people, lacking emotion – you know, like in “Downton Abbey”? But when we came here I saw that Londoners like to laugh at themselves. For example, in Trafalgar Square, among the buildings in classic style, we saw the [David Shrigley] thumbs-up sculpture. It’s very interesting.’

Has London lived up to your expectations?

‘I think it’s been better. We can’t believe all the museums are free – it’s wonderful. We’ve been to the National Gallery three times and we’d like to go again.’

Carolina and Mariana, Brazil

Have you noticed anything weird here?

‘The food. Your beans taste sweet to me. In Brazil, beans are one of my favourite lunch dishes, but ours our salty. And there are the same restaurants and chains everywhere – Costa, Nero, Starbucks, Pret – it’s weird.’

Have you tried fish and chips?

‘Yes. I love fish and chips but I don’t like pie. I don’t like that brown sauce.’

Gravy?

‘Yes. It’s disgusting.’

Ade, USA

What have you done so far?

‘We did the Emirates Air Line and we walked through the O2 Arena. They had some nice restaurants there.’

Did you enjoy the Emirates Air Line? It’s something Londoners never really do.

‘Yeah, it was a nice ride.’

Stefan and Lillemor, Sweden

You’ve just eaten at Angus Steakhouse. How was it?

‘The food was okay. I came here ten years ago after my sister got married. It was better then. It’s very salty. It’s not like that in Sweden. Our meat is much better.’

What have you got planned for your trip?

‘We’ve come to see the Meatloaf musical – I’m a big fan.’

Any surprises here?

‘The telephone boxes. We got rid of them 20 years ago in Sweden when we got mobile phones. We also went on one of those bicycle cab things.’

A rickshaw?

‘Yes. I think it’s probably a bit dangerous.’

Lena and Theresa, Germany

You’ve just been to Buckingham Palace. Did you enjoy it?

‘It’s smaller than I expected. It’s actually a bit underwhelming.’

Kerry, South Africa

Did you have any ideas of stereotypical Londoners before you came?

‘I thought: stiff upper lip, prim and proper. Actually, Londoners are warm and friendly.’

What do you think of our public transport?

‘Amazing. In South Africa, our buses are normally stuck on the side of the road not working, and it’s too dangerous to catch trains. Here it’s safe to walk around at half-three in the morning.’

Found anything a bit odd?

‘Your self-service tills. You have to put the money in and do it yourself… I don’t think we’ll ever have that in South Africa, people will fight it.’

Interesting facts about London

London is the capital and most populous city of England and the United Kingdom.

It is situated on the River Thames in the south east of the island of Great Britain.

The population in 2016 is estimated to be as much as 8.63 million. London is the third most populous city in Europe, behind Istanbul and Moscow, and the 32nd most populous city in the world, slightly smaller than Chengdu, China.

The London region covers an area of 1,579 square kilometers (610 square miles).

The main topographical feature of London is the River Thames which crosses the city from the east to the southwest. The Thames has many tributaries, most of which are now underground as they flow through London.

It is thought that London in prehistoric times was merely a collection of scattered rural settlements. Spear heads and weapons from the Bronze and Iron Ages have been found around the Thames, and a recent archaeological dig near Vauxhall discovered evidence of a possible wooden bridge across the Thames around 3,000 years ago!

The first definite mention of London refers to the year 60 AD and occurs in the work of the Roman historian Tacitus, who wrote of a celebrated center of commerce filled with traders.

With the collapse of Roman rule in the early 5th century, London ceased to be a capital, and the walled city of Londinium was effectively abandoned.

From the 9th century, London grew again within its original Roman boundary, and during the Norman period it was connected by the Strand to a new political centre at Westminster.

By the 11th century, London was beyond all comparison the largest town in England.

The Great Fire of 1666 destroyed four-fifths of the city and more than 13,000 medieval, Tudor and early-17th century buildings were lost. As a result only a tiny proportion of pre-1700 London buildings and structures exist today.

Between 1714 and 1840, London’s population swelled from around 630,000 to nearly 2 million, making it the largest and most powerful city in the world.

The Victorian period found London expanding once more, as the population grew from around 2 million to 6.5 million.

Like many European cities, London was highly impacted by World War II – especially after the Blitz and other German bombings killed over 30,000 London residents and destroyed a large part of the city.

London’s population declined steadily in the decades after the Second World War, from an estimated peak of 8.6 million in 1939 to around 6.8 million in the 1980s.

London has one of the planet’s greatest concentrations of cultural attractions – from royal palaces to the people’s parliament, from Roman ruins to castles and cathedrals.

One of Britain’s most iconic buildings is Buckingham Palace, the official London residence and administrative headquarters of the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom. Buckingham Palace is located in the heart of London and surrounded by 2 royal parks.

The Houses of Parliament are officially known as the Palace of Westminster and it is the largest palace in the country. It contains over 1,100 rooms, 100 staircases and 4.8 kilometers (3 miles) of passageways, which are spread over four floors. It is illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament. We’re not sure what the punishment for this particular offence would be.

Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster and is usually extended to refer to both the clock and the clock tower. Every year the clock is
adjusted using an old English penny. If the clock is running fast, a penny is added to the pendulum. If the clock is running slow, a penny is removed from the pendulum. The clock gains 2/5 of a second a day from each penny added.

The Tower of London is a historic castle located on the north bank of the River Thames in central London. It is an internationally famous monument and one of England’s most iconic structures. Used variously throughout its history as a royal palace, an armoury, a prison, an execution chamber, a zoo, a barracks and a jewel house, this working royal castle offers a stunning insight into 1,000 years of history.

Tower Bridge is a combined bascule and suspension bridge in London. The bridge crosses the River Thames close to the Tower of London and has become an iconic symbol of London. Tower Bridge was built between 1886 and 1894.

St Paul’s Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral, the seat of the Bishop of London and the mother church of the Diocese of London. It sits on Ludgate Hill at the highest point of the City of London. The present Cathedral, the masterpiece of Britain’s most famous architect Sir Christopher Wren. It was built between 1675 and 1710.

Westminster Abbey, London church that is the site of coronations and other ceremonies of national significance. It stands just west of the Houses of Parliament. Over 3,300 people have been buried in Westminster Abbey over the centuries. This includes 17 British monarchs including King Henry V and all the Tudors except for Henry VIII. Other notable people buried at Westminster Abbey include Isaac Newton, Edward the Confessor, Charles Dickens, Geoffrey Chaucer, Dr. Samuel Johnson and Charles Darwin.

Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square [photo below] are two of London’s best-known tourist spots. These famous squares lie not far apart and mark the gateways to Soho, London’s lively theater and entertainment district.

London’s Hyde Park is one of the greatest city parks in the world. Covering 142 hectares (350 acres) and with over 4,000 trees, a large lake, a meadow and ornamental flower gardens. Hyde Park was created in 1536 by Henry VIII for hunting.

The London Eye is a giant Ferris wheel located along the River Thames. The design is similar to an enormous bicycle wheel, with a central hub and spindle connected to outer and inner rims by cable spokes. It is over 200 times larger than the average bike wheel. The structure is 135 meters (443 feet) tall and the wheel has a diameter of 120 meters (394 feet).

The London Bus is one of London’s principal icons, the archetypal red rear-entrance AEC Routemaster being recognized worldwide. There are 8,600 buses in the whole fleet, operating on 700 routes, serving 19,000 bus stops.

The London Underground is the oldest underground railway network in the world. Many first-time visitors to the Tube are surprised to realize that despite its name, more than half of London’s Underground actually runs aboveground.

London attracted about 20 million international visitors in 2017, making it the world’s 3rd most visited city (after Hong Kong and Bangkok).

London is the most verdant city of its size in the world. Green spaces cover nearly 40% of Greater London: parks, squares, public gardens and cemeteries – in all, some 173 square kilometers (67 square miles).

Despite its reputation as being a rainy city, London receives less precipitation in a year than Rome, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Naples, Sydney and New York City.

The Championships, Wimbledon, commonly known as “Wimbledon“, is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, and is widely considered the most prestigious.

In 2012 London will become the first city to host the modern Summer Olympic Games three times.

London has a diverse range of people and cultures, and more than 300 languages are spoken in the region.

Traffic in central London moves at the same speed as horse-drawn carriages.

The Great Smog, which blanketed London for five days in December 1952, is estimated by some experts to have killed more than 12,000 people and hospitalized 150,000.

During the 18th century, you could pay your admission ticket to the zoo in London by bringing a cat or a dog to feed the lions.

During the outbreak of World War II, London Zoo killed all their venomous animals in case the zoo was bombed and the animals escaped.

On October 17, 1814, a three-story-high vat of beer exploded inside a London brewery and unleashed a tidal wave of porter that killed eight people in the neighboring tenements. It is one of history’s strangest disasters.

There are about 10,000 urban foxes living in London.

An estimated half a million mice live in the London Underground.

Tokyo is the city with the most millionaires in the world but London has the most multi-millionaires and New York the most billionaires.

10 Reasons To Visit London

Given that London is one of the most vibrant cities in the world, there is always a reason or excuse to visit the city. No matter what you are interested in, there will be something for you, and this is why the capital of England is regarded as one of the most important cities in the world. In fact, you may find the hardest part of a London vacation is deciding what to see and what to miss out.

If you are still unsure about booking a trip to the English capital, here are 10 reasons to visit London:

Partial view of Trafalgar Square and National Gallery in London. Photo Credit: © Ursula Petula Barzey.

Reasons To Visit London

1. Visit Theatreland

If you love live theatre, you have to see a West End show in Theatreland. Alongside Broadway in New York, this is the destination regarded as being the place to see the best shows and performers. There is a broad variety of live performances to be found in the West End, so whatever you love, there will be something that pleases you.

2. Go Shopping

No matter what style of shopping you love, you will find it all at various department stores in London. From the boutique nature of the West End to the major flagship stores on Oxford Street, London bristles with shopping opportunities. There are also plenty of markets like Portobello Road in Notting Hill where you can find a taste of traditional or local London.

Shopping on New Bond Street in London.

3. Enjoy the Thames River

The Thames River is one of the most iconic elements of the city and you can enjoy tours along the river. There are also a number of canals in London, such as Little Venice and Regent’s Canal. There are also a number of major sites along London’s River Thames.

4. Explore new and historical attractions

You cannot fail to be impressed by the attractions in London. From the London Eye offering views to the city to the stunning range of museums in the West End of the city, there is something for everyone including locations like Madame Tussauds, the Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey! Plus being one of the oldest established cities in the world, there is much to explore on a walking tour with the help of one of London’s highly qualified and knowledgeable Blue Badge Tourist Guides.

London Eye and County Hall illuminated at night. Photo Credit © Ursula Petula Barzey.

5. Attend a major sporting event

As you would expect from a capital city, there is no shortage of sporting events and attractions. Many of the top Premier League sides are found in London while the capital is home to some of the most prestigious sporting locations in the city, such as Wembley Stadium (football), Wimbledon (lawn tennis), Lords (cricket), and Twickenham (rugby).

6. View the spectacular skyline

The London skyline is iconic with magnificent buildings like St Paul’s Cathedral which have stood the test of time; but new buildings like The Shard (also known as the Shard of Glass and Shard London Bridge) have entered the fray, ensuring that there are reasons to return and see how modern London is taking up. The Shard along with the London Eye offers great views of the city but there are also many places along The Thames where you can sit and take in the beauty of the city.

View of Millennium Bridge and Saint Paul Cathedral from Tate Modern. Photo Credit: © Ursula Petula Barzey.

7. Choose from a wide range of accommodations

When looking for a holiday destination, it is important to find accommodation that is within budget for everyone. This is definitely something that is on offer in London and no matter how much or how little you want to spend, there will be something that is perfect for your needs.

8. Visiting one of the amazing green spaces/parks

You may not think of lush green parks when you think of a major city but London has plenty to offer in this regard. Whether you want to explore the Royal Parks in the heart of the city, such as St James and Hyde Park or you want to enjoy the view from Hampstead Heath in the north of the city, you’ll find that London’s parks are an ideal place to relax and view local people going about their daily life.

Wildflowers near London Stadium at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Photo: © Sarah Wood.

9. All budgets welcome

One great thing about London is that there are so many free attractions. Some of the finest museums, such as the National Gallery, the Science Museum, the National History Museum, and the British Museum can be explored for free and there is also the Tate Modern, where many exhibits are available for free.

10. London is continually changing

Even if you have enjoyed or experienced London before, you will find that there is always something new (attractions, museum exhibitions, sporting events, etc.) to see and enjoy. This means that there is always a good reason to visit London, with 13million the populous and cosmopolitan of cities in the United Kingdom.

Welcome to London! I am a Blue Badge Guide with a love of travel and meeting new people.
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Top 25 Interesting Facts About London You Don’t Know

Posted on Last updated: January 12, 2022

You’re looking for fun facts about London to boost your wanderlust? Kudos to you!

London is one of the greatest cities on Earth, and it’s extremely easy to enjoy it. To really catch its soul and fall in love, though, you need to learn about all the quirkiness of the place. And trust me, London is one of the most peculiar cities out there.

Being the center of the modern world for the last thousand years, England’s capital survived a few odd incidents and developed some bizarre traditions. From the Pineapple Cathedral to the Great Stink of 1858, here are the 25 most interesting London facts:

Who is Big Ben?

We start our interesting facts about London with the most iconic landmark in town. While everyone knows what Big Ben is, very few people know that Big Ben is not the tower’s real name.

That’s right, the original name was simply The Clock Tower, while the bell inside was called Big Ben. In 2012, the tower was renamed Elizabeth Tower, but everyone still refers to it as Big Ben.

No armor in the Houses of Parliament

Enacted in 1313 and never removed to this day, the act decrees that ‘in all Parliaments, Treatises and other Assemblies, which should be made in the Realm of England for ever, that every Man shall come without all Force and Armour.’

So if you plan a visit to the Houses of Parlament, better leave your armor back in the hotel.

To become a black cab driver is not an easy task

The next of our fun London facts is about the taxis. You know the iconic black cabs? It turns out becoming a driver of one of those is not an easy task at all.

Each potential driver must complete a rigorous test called The Knowledge, which involves memorizing every street or alley in London. Every-single-one! It takes years and a lot of walks for the future cab drivers to learn them all. No wonder they charge so much.

Please mind the gap

London has the oldest underground network in the world. Built in 1863, today, the tube is used by 1.265 billion people every year. Ironically more than half of the London underground network runs above the ground. Maybe that’s why most Londoners refer to it as the tube instead of the underground.

Another fun tube fact is that when it was first proposed, the idea was for the tunnels to be filled with water so people can move via barges from station to station. Another proposal was horse carriages that carry people in the dark, but eventually, it was decided that steam trains would be the best.

London has the oldest underground network in the world. Built in 1863, today the tube is used by 1.265 billion people every year. It’s ironic that more than half of the underground network runs above the ground.

London has an eye

ondon has the highest Ferris wheel in Europe – The London Eye. Its 32 capsules can carry 800 people each rotation, comparable to 11 London red double-decker buses. If you are lucky to catch a clear day, you can see up to 40 km from the top.

Despite London Eye’s having 32 capsules, for superstitious reasons, they are numbered 1 to 33, missing number 13.

Peter Pan hospital

This next fact is a cute one. In 1929, Peter Pan playwright and novelist JM Barrie was approached to take part in a Great Ormond Street Hospital committee to buy land for a badly needed new medical wing.

He replied that, on principle, he never lent his name to appeals but would see what he can do. A few months afterward, he donated Peter Pan’s copyrights to the hospital. Earning millions of pounds since then, it’s safe to say this was one of the most generous gifts ever.

St. Pineapple Cathedral

The cathedral of St. Paul is one of the most distinctive London landmarks. But do you know that Sir Christopher Wren’s first design proposal for the cathedral was basically a giant pineapple?

Apparently, he saw pineapples as ‘a symbol of peace, prosperity, and hospitality’ and thought it would be an excellent symbol for the city. Sadly it wasn’t approved, so nowadays, we have the regular old-fashioned St. Paul.

London was once the capital city of 6 countries at the same time

During the devastation of World War II, London was the safest city in Europe, so the displaced governments of the countries already conquered by Germany took refuge there, making the capital of England also the capital of Poland, Norway, Holland, Belgium, and France. It must’ve been a bitter pill to take for the French.

London was found by the Romans

Before the Roman invasion in 43 AD, the city was just a tiny village. Once Romans conquered it, they decided it had a lot of potential and founded Londonium – a large city with a distinctive trading center and fortified walls. Thank you, Rome.

I bet this London fact will surprise you the most. We all know that the capital of England is known for its dreary, rainy weather, right? In reality, however, London gets an average of 583.6 millimeters of precipitation per year, making it less rainy than Rome, Paris, Istanbul, Barcelona, Sydney, Miami, and New York City.

London is one of the tiniest towns in England

Nah, I’m not drunk. I know that the population of London is almost 9 million people. This, however, is Greater London, a place large enough to fit Rome and Paris together.

When we’re talking about the City of London, though, we’re talking about the one-square-mile heart of the city that is home to 9000 something people and is technically one of the smallest towns in the UK.

Raven Tower

I can’t have a fun-facts list and not include at least one animal fact, right? You probably don’t know, but for the last few hundred years, there have always been at least six ravens living in the Tower of London. The legend has it that if they leave, the White tower is doomed to fall, and a great disaster befalls the Kingdom.

There are seven currently, and their names are Jubilee, Harris, Gripp, Rocky, Erin, Poppy, and Merlina. They even have a Ravenmaster to tend to their needs!

At the end of Shiteburn Lane, turn left

London streets used to have vivid names describing what the road is used for. In addition to the Shiteburn Lane, there was also a Pissing Alley and a few Gropecunt Lanes.

The iconic red buses weren’t always red

Our fun facts about London continue with a bus fact. And London buses are not your average buses, they are the most famous buses on the planet.

The double-deckers are one of the city’s most significant symbols today, and it’s hard to imagine them being in any other color than red. Before 1907 though, the different routes had different-colored buses making the streets of London quite a colorful place.

Why the Palace of Westminster is on the bank of Thames River?

We continue our facts about London with something curious about the Palace of Westminster (also known as the Houses of Parliament).

It turns out that its position on the banks of Thames River is not random but carefully planned. And no, the reason for it is not to look good in pictures. It was made there so a mob can never surround it. The architects didn’t think much of their government, I guess.

London is a forest

Yes, it may sound weird, but London is technically a forest. The capital of England has so many green spaces that the density of trees it has per square mile qualifies the city as a forest (according to the United Nations definition). The city even has its own official Forestry Conservator.

Land of the Indian restaurants

Everybody knows that India was a British Empire colony for hundreds of years. That’s the reason why the Indian community in London is more significant than any other. To be more precise, Indians in London are over 500,000 or 6,6% of the total city population. And something most of them enjoy is, well, Indian food.

That’s why it’s not that surprising that London houses over 10,000 Indian restaurants… apparently more than Mumbai! From quickie Indian takeaways to fine dining establishments, if you want to taste the best Indian food on the planet, London is the place.

Global London

London is probably the most global city in the world. Every year (besides the cursed 2020), the capital of England welcomes more than 16mln visitors. Almost twice the population of Greater London! It was also estimated that the permanent London residents speak over 300 languages. How is that for cultural diversity!

London sheriffs

Do you know that London still has sheriffs? Neither did I. The tradition of having sheriffs dates back to the 7th century and continues to this day. While they no longer ride horses and shoot bad guys, London’s sheriffs support the Lord Mayor and handle the High Court of Justice instructions. Their jurisdiction may be valid only in the one-squared City of London, but they undoubtedly have one of the coolest sounding jobs on the planet – Sheriff of London.

Underground Mosquitos

We continue our facts about London with something disturbing. The city subway system is so old and vast that it developed its own ecosystem, including a special breed of mosquito.

Named Culex Pipiens Molestus, this mosquito subspecies is perfectly evolved to live in the underground. They don’t need light, don’t need water to lay eggs don’t even need to hibernate.

Don’t worry though, I’ve ridden the tube quite a few times and can’t recall seeing even one of those little biters. They must prefer rats to people.

The Gin Craze

The next few interesting facts about London would be about some peculiar city events. We start with the infamous Gin Craze of London. You may think that every Friday night is a Gin Craze there, but there was a time when the craze was more than crazy.

Between 1720 and 1751, due to some government deregulations, the London market was flooded with cheap liquor, which led to an astonishing gin consumption. It was estimated that the average consumption of gin during that period was 2 pints (0,94 liters, 0.25 gallons) per person weekly. That’s 2 pints for every citizen, man or woman, young or old! Crazy times indeed.

Beer Tsunami

No, I’m not pulling your leg with this one. There really was a tidal wave of beer, and it was fatal for 8 people. It happened in 1814 when Meaux & Company Brewery’s vat exploded, causing a beer tsunami that flooded Tottenham Court Road.

It may sound funny now, but eight people lost their lives in this accident, making it the most deadly tsunami in London.

The Great Fire of London

The next historical event is the grimmest one in London’s history. The infamous Great Fire of London devasted the city in 1666, burning four-fifths of the capital in just four days.

There are a few interesting things about the fire, though. Apparently, it started on the funny-named Pudding Avenue, and even though it turned the entire city to ashes, it killed only 6 people, less than the beer tsunami.

The Great Stink of London

The last significant event I want to entertain you with is the Great Stink of London. Yeah, I know I just put a smile on our face, and you probably don’t believe me right now, but the Great Stink is a real incident that led to some long-needed changes.

The event happened in the summer of 1858 when the hot weather exacerbated the smell of untreated human waste and butchered animals present on the River Thames banks. The putrid smell was so strong that it interfered with the Parliament’s work, forcing the representatives to pass bills for Thames cleaning, changing the sewerage outlets, and banning animal butchery within the city.

Old London was weird

We finish our facts about London with a few oddities from the old times.

Let’s start with something that is still valid today. If the Queen of England wants to visit the City of London, she must request permission from the Lord Mayor. I guess that’s fair since he has to ask for permission to see Buckingham palace too.

She does that at a special ceremony held at Temple Bar, and as far as I know, no mayor has declined the request. I wonder what will happen if they do that.

Next, we got a bank fact. Wait, don’t close the post! It’s not some boring math statistics but a fun bank-location fact. Until it was revoked in 1980, there was a rule stating that all banks in the city of London must be located within 10 minutes of the Bank of England. Reason why? Just in case the Governor of the Bank of England calls an emergency meeting. I mean, he can’t wait for more than 10 minutes, right?

We finish with 2 awful entertainment events. Back in the early 18th century, the London zoo was housed in the tower in London (named The Tower of London Menagerie) and offered free entry to anyone who brings a cat or a dog to feed the lions.

Another popular attraction in the 18th century was London’s Bedlam Asylum. It wasn’t visited for its outstanding architecture or anything but to see and make fun of the patients there – basically, a human zoo.

That’s all from me, I hope you enjoyed these fun facts about London! To get your even more London-excited I reccomend checking my incredible London quotes collection.
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If you haven’t planned your trip there yet, find out how I plan my trips!
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I have 28 bucket list ideas for England. See my impossible bucket list of 1700+ adventures!

30 Interesting Facts About London For Your Visit

London is one of those cities that is constantly changing with new and exciting things sprouting up almost every day! This is all well and good but it sure can make a visit to our capital city pretty hectic, especially if you’re trying to plan, book and see all the things you want in a short period of time. This is exactly why I wanted to share some interesting facts about London for your visit.

Below, I’ve included a whole heap of interesting facts about London for any new visitor to our amazing city.

Take a look at some of the interesting facts about London for your visit. Have a great trip.

1.) London is big

Yeah, there’s no denying it, London is huge!

With millions of people, the city and metropolitan area are ginormous, to say the least. If you’ve only got a few short days in the city, try to stay in the best areas in London that you want to explore (or at least close by).

This will save you a whole lotta time travelling across the city every day, especially as travelling in London can add up to several hours per day in transport time.

2.) Get an Oyster Card

An Oyster Card (for transport in London) will save you time and money when it comes to those pesky travel-related costs.

Grab an Oyster Card (which is FREE, with a small refundable deposit) from most tube stations and preload a given amount onto the card. When using an Oyster Card, your journey has a maximum daily cap that you can spend in one day. This means that after doing 3 or 4 journeys, the rest of the day’s travel will be totally free around the whole of London.

It’s one of those interesting facts about London you wouldn’t really consider without known.

3.) Walk between tube stops

Speaking of travel, there are quite a few stations where it’s actually quicker to walk rather than take the tube/bus. Case in point being Leicester Square to Covent Garden, the walk will take less than 3 minutes, which is quicker than going underground on the tube and won’t cost you a dime.

It’s easily one of those interesting facts about London that most people don’t think about when visiting.

4.) Fly into low-cost airports

If you’re looking to keep costs low, then there are a few interesting facts about London you need to consider. You see, when it comes to getting yourself to London, you can grab a low-cost flight to one of the more ‘regional’ London airports.

These airports tend to prioritise the cheaper landing fees, with airports like London Luton, London Stansted and London Southend all being cheaper than places like Heathrow or London City.

That being said, there is a downside, too. Stansted is around 45 minutes by train or 1 hour by bus to the city centre.

5.) Pret gives out free coffee

Yup, that’s right, it’s one of those interesting facts about London you wouldn’t even know until it happens to you.

At the discretion of the barista inside Pret, you might be one of the lucky chosen people to receive your coffee for free.

Though if you’re looking for a more independent spot, then head towards one of these gorgeous coffee shops (my favourites are here)

6.) Museums are FREE

This is one of my favourite things about our city and one of the interesting facts about London you might not know if you’re visiting a country that charges for museums.

Museums like; the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, the British Museum, the National Portrait Gallery and the Tate Modern… plus, much more are free, too.

Spend a day wandering through the many historical artefacts and enjoy the rich heritage the city has to offer. Obviously, donations are welcome, though in no way obligatory at all.

7.) West End shows aren’t always expensive

If you want to grab one of the best shows in the west-end and you’re not too fussy on what you see, then head straight across to the official TKTS Booth smack bang in the centre of Leicester Square.

TKTS sells all remaining unsold tickets for shows on the day, which is usually heavily discounted. You will always be given the best seats available and you can even choose from the available seats. It’s one of those interesting facts about London that you’ll love if you’re into the theatre.

8.) Move to London easily

Okay, so first off, this is one of the interesting facts about London that’ll be only interesting if you’re planning to relocate here.

Firstly, let us not beat-around-the-bush… rental costs are very high in the city but that doesn’t mean you should compromise or be coerced into making decisions on where you’re going to live based on what estate agents and other housing bodies tell you to do.

There are so many really easy tips and tricks to save money, along with essential ‘red lights’ you should look out for hence why I’ve included a link to our essential renting tips for when you’re looking for a flat/house/mansion/luxury yacht in London right here.

9.) Grab discounted rail and tube fares

If you’re under the grand young age of 26 (or a student), over the age of 60, as a couple, or perhaps travelling with your family then you’ll be eligible to pick up a Railcard from any train station.

Costing approximately £30 for one year, this card will give you 33% (1/3rd) discount off rail travel and tube travel at off-peak times – a massive saving if you’re visiting the city multiple times. It’s easy to use and one of the interesting facts about London that’ll keep your transport costs lower.

10.) You can visit Big Ben for FREE

Big Ben is the bell inside the Queen Elizabeth II Tower that chimes across London. Attached to the Houses of Parliament it’s only accessible by invitation.

One of the easiest ways to grab yourself an invitation (if you live in the UK) is to ask your local MP for an invite (find out who your local MP is here). They will put your name forward and will issue you some free tickets for a tour! It’s a unique perspective that most people will never have seen.

That being said, Big Ben is currently undergoing a huge renovation (and is full of scaffolding) so visits are on hold. 🙁

11.) Tipping isn’t essential

Tipping isn’t as big a deal as it is in the United States or other countries but that doesn’t mean it isn’t appreciated.

Usually, a small 10-15 per cent tip is more than fine for a restaurant whilst there is no need to tip at any bar or for drinks. There’s also no need to tip when hailing a cab, though it often makes sense to round up the amount to the nearest pound.

It’s one of the interesting facts about London that might seem quite strange if you’re used to a culture of tipping. Though, you might find that some of the best restaurants in London do add an optional ‘service charge’ of about 12.5% to bills.

12.) Tour London cheaply

Okay, so there are lots of those ‘hop-on-hop-off’ buses that drive all across the city but often charge a pretty high price-tag for the convenience – great if you’re in a rush but not so great for your wallet.

Though, if you’re visiting London on a tighter shoe-string and want to save money, there are a few interesting facts about London that’ll save you a pretty penny.

For instance. If you want to save a great deal off that price then jump on board a red London bus. One of my favourite journey to take is on the 24-hour bus number 453 from Marylebone Station – hop on and grab yourself a seat upstairs. You’ll pass; Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, Downing Street, Houses Of Parliament, Big Ben and The London Eye – where you can hop off and experience London’s Southbank by foot. before it heads further south.

13.) You can get good fish and chips here

This old, British favourite can sometimes be a little tricky to find in central London but there are a few yummy spots to easily find.

Thankfully, Poppies in Shoreditch has one of the best I’ve tasted in the capital and is of astoundingly great quality – so much so that I’m starting to blame them for my extra weight gain.

Meals are cooked fresh with lashings of salt and vinegar.

14.) Avoid Oxford Street on Saturday

A weekend shopping on Oxford Street can be something of a stressful ordeal as the streets become filled with thousands of people.

There can sometimes be literally no space on the pavements and even the tube closes due to crowd control. If you’re geared up to shop, think about heading over to Oxford Street around mid-morning, and preferably on a weekday. Crowds are much lower and you can easily peruse the shops at your own pace.

15.) You can rent a bike in London

Anyone can rent a bike in London, all you need is a debit or credit card and a good sense of direction.

If you’re looking for a relaxing afternoon, grab yourself a bike from one of the self-service cycle bays and head across the town. It’s a great way to see the city and you’ll be saving lots of time and money too. It’s one of those interesting facts about London that actually make it fun to navigate the city.

16.) Discover the secret ears and noses of Covent Garden

Yep, that’s right, Covent Garden is much more than a quaint cobbled market of beautiful little shops! On your next visit, if you look closely, you might spot quite a few ‘hidden’ noses and ears that have been placed around the whole area so remember to keep your eyes peeled for them.

It really is one of the interesting facts about London that’s hidden in plain sight.

17.) See where Liberty Bell was made

Head to the Whitechapel Bell Foundry to visit the world’s oldest bell maker.

Not only did they make the likes of Big Ben, they actually made the Liberty Bell that is now so symbolic for the United States of America and its people. Although it is currently closed, the property still exists in Whitechapel and is easy to find if you’re in the area.

It’s one of the most interesting facts about London that not even many Londoners know.

18.) London’s markets are delicious

There are so many amazing markets in London that it can actually be difficult to whittle them down to a mere few to visit.

Though, still one of my favourites is Borough Market which has loads of yummy treats. Head here around lunchtime for a quick bite to eat and a little treat from one of the many dessert stalls.

That’s one of the things I love most, the fact that London isn’t just filled with shops and out-of-town-malls. London has so many incredible markets to visit and you’ll honestly be spoilt for choice.

19.) London has some amazing cocktail bars

Shoreditch is one of the trendiest neighbourhoods and one of the interesting facts about London is that they also have some of the best cocktail spots in the city.

Filled with an array of amazing speakeasies, secret hangouts and hidden clubs, this place is the perfect place to visit for a night out.

20.) You can go inside Buckingham Palace

Not many people realise that you can actually tour Buckingham Palace in the summer months.

Tickets can (and should) be purchased online before you travel and it’s well worth a visit if you’re planning on marrying into royalty or just fancy a good nose around the Queen’s gaff!

It really is one of the interesting facts about London that some international visitors don’t realise.

21 Black Cabs can be fast(er)!

…if you’re in a hurry! Though Uber is much cheaper than a black cab, they can’t use bus lanes as official black cabs can.

Decide on what your priority is; efficient time or lower price. If neither take your fancy, then use that flashy Oyster Card I spoke about earlier on to ride the tube.

22.) There’s a garden in the sky

Well, on top of a skyscraper at least.

Tickets are totally free as this is a public space which can be enjoyed by anyone. See some impressive views across the city and even stop for a bite to eat if you like. It’s a great place for a view and one of the interesting facts about London that you might not know exists when looking for the best viewpoints.

Just make sure to book your free entry in advance, here.

23.) Notting Hill is more than colourful houses

Often overlooked for the more adventurous/exciting East-End (unless it’s for carnival) this area of London has become one of the best places to discover some of London’s tastiest restaurants.

It has a proper foodie scene, making it a great area to explore on a lazy afternoon. Take a wander around brunch and settle for something local, organic or absolutely totally different. This area has it all!

24.) Stand on the right at tube stations

Well, unless you want to experience the passive-aggressive Londoner. 😉

Okay, joking aside, tube stations can get very busy, with quite limited space for everyone to move. The escalators up and down the stations have standing and walking lanes on them.

Always stand on the right if you intend to stand and use the left if you plan on scaling the stairs faster than a gazelle. It’s honestly one of those interesting London facts that you just wouldn’t know if you didn’t live here.

25.) Sunday Lunches are delicious

Everyone visiting London (or the UK, generally) for the first time has to try a traditional Sunday Roast.

Mainly consisting of Chicken, Beef or Lamb, dollops of stuffing, gravy and a whole farm of vegetables, it is truly one of the best ways to enjoy a traditional British meal. Don’t forget to ask for a Yorkshire pudding with your meal too, it’s too delicious to ignore.

26.) Camden Town is a unique area of London

Camden Town is one of the very best neighbourhoods in London to explore if you want to see a different side of the city.

Head here to discover the amazing street markets, offering everything from Ethiopian food, Moroccan leather to Pan-Asian cuisine. The whole vibe of the area is electric with an alternative counterculture that is bursting at the seams with excitement.

27.) Grab a local sim card

Free wifi on the streets of London can be pretty bad unless you fancy spending lots of time in Starbucks or Apple. 😉

If your phone is unlocked, grab yourself a local sim card to make calls and internet allowance at a fraction of roaming costs. One of the best providers for cheap sim cards when it comes to value for money is Giff Gaff, followed by Three. Though, you can pick up sim cards quite easy to use in most electronic stores in the city.

28.) Take an umbrella

Okay, so this is likely to be one of the wetter than interesting facts about London itself! You see, London weather is notoriously unpredictable even in summer.

Don’t forget to pack an umbrella (or a raincoat) and stay dry when those infamous showers begin to fall! At the very least, check the weather forecast before you leave your hotel or Airbnb.

29.) You can dine with a Damien Hirst cow floating above you

Yup, it is as surreal as it sounds.

Head to the legendary Tram Shed restaurant by Mark Hix in Shoreditch, where you’ll not only get to eat some of the tastiest chicken known to man but you’ll be able to eat it all under a massive floating cow.