25 Interesting Facts About London That Will Blow Your Mind!

There is no doubt that everyone has heard great things about London. It is the capital of England, as well as the United Kingdom. The city welcomes tourists and students from all over the world every year, and they end up falling in love with the city. The lively cafes, diverse cultures, major attractions, and the famous cosmopolitan life draw a lot of attention. London has so much to offer to everyone, whether you’re a student, working professional or family. A city with a perfect blend of history and modern life, you are bound to have the time of your life. Whether you like peaceful places, or a nightlife full of music and dance, London is the place for you.  

Many students come to this city to pursue their higher education. Hence, the need for student accommodation in London has also seen a rise. Some of the world’s prestigious universities can be found here. Some of these are London School of Economics, Imperial College London, Middlesex University London, and many more. If you are a student who is planning to move to the United Kingdom for your higher education, then London is a great choice. There are many things that students can do in London, from sightseeing to adventurous activities. But before you move to London for your higher education, let’s know about this breathtaking city! 

Here are some interesting facts about London! 

1. This unique city has more than 170 museums. Students and Tourists can visit some of them for free as well. To name a few of these: The British Museum, Science Museum, Tate Museum, among others. 

2. People often think that a city like this would have English speakers. But the city witnesses more than 300 languages. Other languages include Bengali, Punjabi, Poland, and more.  

3. Have you ever heard that a city can be a capital of as many as six countries? This happened to London during the World War II, and the countries were France, Belgium, Poland, Norway, and Netherlands.   

4. There are many famous squares in London. However, Trafalgar Square is the most iconic one. Many pigeons can be found here during the day. However, in 2003, feeding pigeons at this Square was announced illegal, even though pigeons are a major feature of the Square.  

5. You may believe superstitions in such a modern city won’t exist. But when you visit the Tower of London, you will see the importance of ravens. King Charles II believed that ravens must stay alive at the Tower. If not, the Tower will fall.  

6. London Tube is the oldest public transportation in the world to use electronic engines. From Paddington to Farringdon, the first line opened in 1863. After this, many cities adopted this mode of transportation.  

7. Some roads in London have derogatory names. To count them, there are at least more than 20 such roads. To name a few, Helmet Row, Fanny Hands Lane, Bird in Bush Road, Cumming Street, Hooker’s Road, and more. 

8. You cannot fly a Kite in London. And if you, you are bound to face a heavy fine. This is clearly stated in the Metropolitan Police Act of 1839. Kites are not allowed in any parks, public areas, or anywhere that annoys the people around.  

9. The Big Ben tower is not Big Ben!! You heard that right! The famous Big Ben has been a major attraction for tourists for ages, but everyone thinks the tower is called Big Ben. The truth is, Ben Big is referred to as the bells, and the tower is called Elizabeth Tower. 

10. In the world, this is the only city to host the Olympics thrice till now. The years of these events were 1908, 1948 and 2012.  

11. Are you in the mood for something horror? Well, what if you were to know that the station of Aldgate has more than 1000 buried bodies beneath it? That’s right. The reports state that the burial site is about 16 feet wide and 40 feet long. 

12. You must have seen in videos, movies and pictures the famous red double-decker buses. But these buses were not always red. Initially, these buses were painted in different colors, depicting the various routes that they follow. Then later on, the buses were painted red to differentiate them from other competitors.  

13. The London Tubes are a famous filming location for many movies. To new a few top movies- James Bond: Skyfall, Thor: The Dark World, Sliding Doors, and many more have parts filmed at the London Tube.  

14. Research states that about 4,00,000 students come to London every year for their education. Therefore, the demand for student accommodation London has seen a major rise lately. 

15. There are so many palaces in the city. However, the famous Houses of Parliament remain the largest ones in the city. 

16. One of the most visited places in the city is the Ferris Wheel. It is the tallest wheel and has about 32 capsules. Each ride lasts for about 30 minutes. It is the perfect spot for spending an evening with friends and families. 

17. How do people get to know when the Queen is in Buckingham Palace? The royal flag from the flagpole is visible whenever the Queen is there. The Royal Standard (flag) is visible only from the places where the Queen is.  

18. In the world of Google Maps, the drivers of Black Cabs in London use their memory. In order to become a black cab driver, the condition is to remember all the streets in London. It is said that this training takes about 2 to 4 years.  

19. An English city with the most diverse cultures, the city celebrates about 197 festivals. Out of these, the biggest and free festival is The Mayor’s Thames Festival. You can witness some popular singers and have the time of your life if you visit these festivals. 

20. You must have heard about The Great Fire of 1666. The fire ruined about four fifths of the city of London. However, there were only six fatal casualties in this huge fire. 

21. We all often wonder where all the billionaires live. Well, while China and USA are home to many billionaires, London is the only European city with Billionaires residing here.  

22. A fact that will give you literal chills. Did you know, The Ripper, the serial killer in East London in 1888 was never caught by the officials. With more than a hundred suspects, the search for The Ripper eventually failed. 

23. There are as many as 10,000 foxes in the city. They can be seen at some common sights, such as St Paul’s Cathedral. A fun fact is that they can also be found in the center of the city as well. 

24. Karl Max, a German philosopher and an economist wrote Das Kapital in the reading room of British Museum.  

25. All Hallows by the Tower is the oldest church in the city. It was built in 675.