London has been continuously inhabited for over 2,000 years, accumulating layers of history, secrets, and peculiar traditions. From ghost stations to ravens and royal rituals, discover the stories hiding in plain sight.
The World's First Underground Railway
The London Underground ("The Tube") opened in 1863 and holds countless secrets beneath the city:
- 402 kilometers of track - only 45% is actually underground
- 40+ abandoned "ghost stations" hidden throughout the network
- Winston Churchill had a secret station built for WWII
- Over 3 million journeys are made daily
- The distinctive "Mind the Gap" phrase is trademarked
The Ravens of the Tower
Six ravens must always live at the Tower of London, or legend says the kingdom will fall. Here's the fascinating truth:
- Ravens have lived at the Tower for over 300 years
- Each raven has one wing clipped to prevent flying away
- They have their own Ravenmaster who cares for them
- Ravens receive a salary and formal burial upon death
- Current ravens include Jubilee, Harris, and Merlina
Big Ben: The Bell, Not the Tower
Most people get this wrong - "Big Ben" is the bell inside, not the famous clock tower (now called Elizabeth Tower):
- Big Ben weighs 13.7 tonnes - about the same as a London bus
- The tower leans 0.26 degrees to the northwest
- There are 334 steps to the top (no elevator)
- Time is adjusted by adding/removing old pennies on the pendulum
- The original bell cracked in 1859 and was replaced
More London Secrets
The City of London vs. London
The "City of London" is a separate entity from "London" - a tiny 1.12 square mile area with its own police force, government, and even its own Lord Mayor (different from the Mayor of London). The Queen must ask permission to enter! It's technically the world's smallest ceremonial county.
Fun fact: The City has more workers (500,000) than residents (8,000)!
London's Original Name
The Romans founded "Londinium" around 43 AD. Before that, it may have been called "Plowonida" meaning "fast-flowing river." The River Thames was much wider and shallower then - you could walk across it at low tide. The London Bridge nursery rhyme refers to real collapses throughout history.
The World's Oldest Zoo
London Zoo opened in 1828 and was the world's first scientific zoo. Originally only scientists could visit! It's where the word "jumbo" came from - Jumbo was the name of a famous elephant who lived there before being sold to P.T. Barnum's circus in 1882.
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