When asked about London, the same thoughts always come to mind; Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Oxford Street, Piccadilly Circus, the famous private member's club, Home House and Black Cabs - the list is endless! But what of the facts that so often fall under the radar?
One of the most daunting 'realisations' for me was that 55% of the famous London Underground is actually above ground? Furthermore, one of the most popular tube routes through Leicester Square and Covent Garden on the Piccadilly line is really pretty pointless as it's actually quicker to walk the distance instead.
When it comes to landmarks, I was also surprised to learn that Marble Arch was originally built as the entrance to Buckingham Palace, but was simply not used - makes sense I guess. Furthermore, the much loved Covent Garden is actually the product of spelling mistake - the area used to be the market garden for what is now Westminster Abbey monastery and convent. But perhaps it's the most recent landmark that's the most surprising of them all, the London Eye: the famous wheel, which now supplies a wonderful backdrop for the New Year celebrations, receives more visitors per year than the Taj Mahal and the Great Pyramids of Giza here, in our little England.
But then London is cool and it is hip. There are so many world famous bars, restaurants and clubs in the city and visitors flock from all over the world. I mean, it's remarkable to think that restaurants in The Big Smoke actually total a remarkable 22% of all restaurants in Britain. Moreover, Paris is the only other city in the World that can boast more Michelin Star restaurants than London - we even surpass New York!
And then we have some more curious facts - just for good measure: John Baird, for example, first demonstrated how television would work above what is now Bar Italia in Frith St, Soho incredible, huh? But what have Harrods? Until 1916, the well known luxury department store as we understand it today was selling medical kits for friends at 'The Front' which contained cocaine, morphine, syringes and needles. And last, but by no means least, there's our favourite London friend, Big Ben. Did you know that back in 1949 this world-famous clock actually slowed by 5 minutes when a flock of starlings landed on the minute hand? Even in the war, Big Ben kept on ticking and what slowed it starlings!
I sincerely hope I haven't bombarded you with too many random facts and pieces of knowledge, but the truth is that I could go on and on and on. London is such a historic city, steeped in nostalgia and endless eras gone by that every street, every corner and every stone has a story. Now dubbed as the 'design capital of the World', London is about to embark on a new adventure and I wonder what stories will come to light in another 100 years.
One of the most daunting 'realisations' for me was that 55% of the famous London Underground is actually above ground? Furthermore, one of the most popular tube routes through Leicester Square and Covent Garden on the Piccadilly line is really pretty pointless as it's actually quicker to walk the distance instead.
When it comes to landmarks, I was also surprised to learn that Marble Arch was originally built as the entrance to Buckingham Palace, but was simply not used - makes sense I guess. Furthermore, the much loved Covent Garden is actually the product of spelling mistake - the area used to be the market garden for what is now Westminster Abbey monastery and convent. But perhaps it's the most recent landmark that's the most surprising of them all, the London Eye: the famous wheel, which now supplies a wonderful backdrop for the New Year celebrations, receives more visitors per year than the Taj Mahal and the Great Pyramids of Giza here, in our little England.
But then London is cool and it is hip. There are so many world famous bars, restaurants and clubs in the city and visitors flock from all over the world. I mean, it's remarkable to think that restaurants in The Big Smoke actually total a remarkable 22% of all restaurants in Britain. Moreover, Paris is the only other city in the World that can boast more Michelin Star restaurants than London - we even surpass New York!
And then we have some more curious facts - just for good measure: John Baird, for example, first demonstrated how television would work above what is now Bar Italia in Frith St, Soho incredible, huh? But what have Harrods? Until 1916, the well known luxury department store as we understand it today was selling medical kits for friends at 'The Front' which contained cocaine, morphine, syringes and needles. And last, but by no means least, there's our favourite London friend, Big Ben. Did you know that back in 1949 this world-famous clock actually slowed by 5 minutes when a flock of starlings landed on the minute hand? Even in the war, Big Ben kept on ticking and what slowed it starlings!
I sincerely hope I haven't bombarded you with too many random facts and pieces of knowledge, but the truth is that I could go on and on and on. London is such a historic city, steeped in nostalgia and endless eras gone by that every street, every corner and every stone has a story. Now dubbed as the 'design capital of the World', London is about to embark on a new adventure and I wonder what stories will come to light in another 100 years.
About the Author:
Dine in style at the best bars in London. 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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