No matter how famous and well-trodden by tourists the capital of England may be, it will always remain a box of surprises. Unusual London is always more interesting than touristy London. Yes, the world-famous attractions of London are doing their job - luring hundreds of thousands of travelers. But it is also interesting for others: for its history, way of life, traditions. Unusual London in our section “20 + 1 interesting facts”.


 1. Everyone is firmly convinced that London is the capital of England. Yes, but not alone in the world! There are several other cities with the same name. They are located in the USA, Canada and some other countries. It's funny that Canadian London, like the capital of Great Britain, is located on the Thames River.


 2. London is also unusual because the prime meridian, which is also called Greenwich after the name of the district of Greenwich, passes through the capital.


 12. A time capsule from 1878 is located under the Cleopatra's Needle obelisk in London. They say the capsule contains old cigars, old British currency, a Bible, a portrait of Queen Victoria, 10 newspapers, and most interestingly, portraits of the twelve most beautiful Englishwomen.


 13. In 2008, the name Muhammad became the most popular name for newborn boys in London. Overall, Muhammad is the most common name in the world today.

 14. The Houses of Parliament, also known as the Palace of Westminster, has 100 staircases and five kilometers of corridors, as well as 19 bars and restaurants.


 15. London is a city of billionaires. The capital of the United Kingdom is home to 72 billionaires.

 16. Unusual lantern in London glorified the capital of England in the late 50s of the 19th century. The device consisted of two gas lamps with red and green glasses and worked only on foggy days and in the dark. It was mechanical engineer Knight who saw the first automatic semaphore-type traffic light. This “miracle of technology” worked for only 4 weeks, after which it exploded.

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There is probably not a single adult on the planet who does not know the famous London buildings at least from photographs. Those who have visited London and seen them with their own eyes can say that they know the city very well and are ready to take a tour of it themselves. In fact, excursions, while introducing city guests to the places and buildings of London known to them, deprive vacationers of the opportunity to see that London, which usually stands apart from tourist routes.

The tour should start from Museum of Brands, packaging and advertising (2 Colville Mews). There are more than 12,000 exhibits collected here, an acquaintance with which will reveal the secrets of how many well-known brands became popular thanks to the advertising of their products and packaging. We can say that this museum presents the history of consumer society.

The next goal of the excursion is transformable bridge at Padington Basin(West London). One can simply marvel at the engineering of its creator, Thomas Heatherwick. The task was very simple, namely, it was necessary to build a small bridge for pedestrians. Only everything was complicated by the fact that boats had to sail under the bridge. That's why a bridge was made that looks like a caterpillar. At first it is an ordinary bridge along which pedestrians walk, and at the right moment it, like a caterpillar, begins to slowly rise and collapse.

Next you can go toPiccadilly Circus, where in house No. 1 is "Ripley", a museum of incredible things. A variety of unusual exhibits are collected here. For example, wax figures of unusual people, stuffed strange animals, dinosaur eggs, and a trip to black hole will amaze even the most indifferent tourists.

What no one expects to see in London is a Hindu temple. But such a temple was erected on Brentfield Road in 1995. Shri Swaminarayan(this is the name of this temple) is the only Hindu religious building of its kind large sizes outside India. You can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Hinduism by going inside.

After the philosophy of Hinduism, you can escape from serious thoughts in Crystal Palace Park(South East London). It was here that about 160 years ago the artist B.W. Hawkins recreated the appearance of dinosaurs by making life-size statues of these monsters.

The logical continuation of this excursion will be a visit to Cartoon Museum(35 Little Russell Street). The museum features approximately 5,000 cartoon characters. Here you can also see cartoon caricatures of famous politicians and even Queen Elizabeth II.

After visiting the museum, it is best to head to north-east London, namely to the place where the River Thames flows into the North Sea. It is perceived as a set for a science fiction film (Unity Way, 1). It seems that these structures were built by aliens. The barrier performs a very important task, namely protecting the city from floods.

Another unique object, associated not with fantasies, but with the real past, is escalator at Greenford tube station. Its peculiarity is that it is made of wood. It reminds us of the time when subway escalators were wooden. All such escalators have long disappeared, but this one not only functions perfectly, but also attracts the attention of tourists due to its features.

You can plunge into history in one more place in London. This is about Harry Potter museum, which is located in West London. Visitors to the museum have the opportunity to get acquainted with the history of the creation of this film, as well as see the scenery of this film, learn how the process of filming films generally works, how costume designers, artists, decorators work, how stuntmen’s tricks and special effects are developed.

You can complete the tour in northeast London, where you can’t help but notice a completely new building, towering majestically above the surrounding buildings, namely a skyscraper that has received quite a unusual name "The Shard". On this moment There is not a single building in London taller than this skyscraper. Its height is 390 meters. Here you can not only take a photo against the backdrop of this London miracle, but also take part in a fascinating tour of this building.

Of course, all these places are not all “secret” London. There are many others in the city most interesting places, which are away from popular routes. But this is another walk through unknown London.

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Tube

If “our people don’t take a taxi to the bakery,” then in London even the CEOs of large companies prefer public transport to all types of transport, not to mention bankers and mid-level financiers. The Tube (or tube) itself is one of London's main attractions. Characteristic symbolism, Mind the Gap is something that almost no Londoner's working day can do without. During rush hour, be prepared to be pressed closely against men and women in expensive suits. However, do not forget that next to them there may well be ordinary workers, smelling of paint and proletarian sweat. The London Underground is the quintessence of the capital's democracy. Here, even newspapers are usually picked up from the floor and read one after another. All this does not prevent Londoners from constantly covering the tube with not the most gentlemanly phrases - both because of the high cost, and because of constant breakdowns, and because of entire blocked branches on weekends. So, just in case, it is worth keeping in mind alternative routes (they can be viewed on the website tfl.gov.uk).

Borough Market

Usually, little good is said about British cuisine, but there are probably no fewer lovers of delicious food here than in Rome itself. Cooking shows are incredibly popular, and tables at Michelin-starred restaurants are booked months in advance. For those who cook for themselves, there are the largest markets: Billingsgate (fish), Smithfield (meat) and New Covent Garden (fruit and vegetables). True, it is advisable to get there before seven in the morning and you should buy kilos, so for tourists, perhaps the most acceptable option is Borough Market. It's open from Wednesday to Saturday and you can find almost anything your heart desires, from British asparagus to Turkish Turkish delight. It is much more expensive here than in other markets, and on Saturdays it can be quite crowded, but you can try food from all over the world (Spanish paella, Indian curry, French oysters, Thai pancakes) and wash it all down with English cider or even wine. By the way, did you know that England has its own vineyards? At Borough Market you can buy a couple of bottles of wine as a gift. It's surprisingly quite wow.

Breakfast Club

If English wine is exotic even for the British, then the concept of English Breakfast has long spread throughout the world, becoming a symbol of something very filling, high-calorie, always with bacon and eggs. Breakfast Club cafes, scattered across several London boroughs, are fighting stereotypes by offering breakfast not only in the morning, but also in the evening. Various options are included: omelettes and poached eggs, on or without toast, with bacon, salmon and avocado, as well as a variety of cereals, yogurt with granola, pancakes. Queues at these establishments are quite common. Many people come to look at the funny wallpaper in the toilet. And the Breakfast Club on Spitalfields has another secret: a built-in refrigerator, behind the door of which there is a staircase to the minus first floor. In the evenings you can find an excellent bar there with a very long cocktail menu.

Brick Lane

On Sunday, go to Brick Lane. In fact, you can go there any day, but on Sunday, unlike other places, everything is open there: the antique market, vintage shops, street food market, cafes, clubs. Brick Lane is the name of the street, on one side adjacent to the hipster district of Shoreditch, and on the other, abutting Whitechapel Road, traditionally considered not the most respectable and safe in London. To avoid confusion, it is better to enter there from the Old Spitalfields Market (which in itself is a rather interesting, albeit very touristic place) and move in a northerly direction - past vinyl stores, burger and curry stalls and endless thrift stores where you can find everything: from top hats and tweed jackets with patches to stretched jeans, London homeless style that is relevant in any season. But the most amazing thing about Brick Lane is the people. Almost anyone can be stopped and filmed for a fashion blog. Moreover, it is better to do this against the backdrop of incredible graffiti that decorates the street and the area around it.

Vintage Emporium

Turning off Brick Lane, you can find yourself in a museum of dresses from the beginning of the last century - The Vintage Emporium (14 Bacon Street). You really should go there as if you were going to a museum - because the prices for silks and elegant lace-up shoes are steep. Vintage dresses and hats from the 1920s cost hundreds of pounds, but if you want to feel like a character from Downton Abbey, it's worth a visit. The entrance to the store itself is down the stairs. And upstairs you can find a small cafe with tea, fresh pastries and vintage saucers. On weekends with free places, it is naturally tense.

Richmond Park and Kew Gardens

London is the capital of parks, and the famous Hyde Park is far from the largest and most interesting. We advise you to get outside the center and get to Richmond Park, where deer roam freely and green parrots fly. An unprepared traveler may think he has gone crazy, but no: parrots in London parks are almost as common as foxes in city garbage dumps. The next tube station to Richmond is Kew Gardens. It's huge Botanical Garden. Admission there, however, is paid, but you won’t find young people having a picnic there, but you will see centuries-old trees and bring the most beautiful photo shoot in the world from the series “I am in the autumn leaves.”

Hill Garden & Pergola

In the north of the capital, next to another huge park, Hampstead Heath, hides a real gem that even Londoners themselves don’t always know about - Pergola & Hill Garden, the former garden of Lord Leverhulme with an extensive “veranda” (pergola), built at the beginning of the past century. This place unexpectedly resembles Italy, and literally everything is beautiful here: pergola columns entwined with rose hips and grape leaves, light breaking through the foliage, a crazy view of the green park, benches on which you can kiss.

Sushisamba

There are quite a few different bars and rooftop restaurants in London, offering good views of the city. One of the most popular places among Londoners is the Japanese restaurant Sushisamba, which is located on the 38th and 39th floors of the Heron Tower building. Glass walls and floors, design at the intersection of West and East, panoramic views of the City of London are well worth the rather high prices on the menu and the need to book a table two to three weeks in advance. However, the food there is also delicious.

Canary Wharf

It is surprising that not everyone makes it to the Canary Wharf metro station, although it is there, in the Docklands area, that the heart of modern London beats - in any case, the main career passions are in full swing, dreams are crushed, fortunes are gained and lost. Once the outskirts of the city and an area of ​​the poor, today it is the center of the financial world, which began to rise with its skyscrapers to the sky just a couple of decades ago. On a sunny weekday, around lunchtime, bankers and financiers occupy every centimeter of green artificial spaces and, chewing store-bought sandwiches, discuss deals worth millions or (much more often) their girlfriends. And in the evening, after work, everyone moves to nearby pubs, where they continue to talk about the same topics (plus football), only with beer and a view of the beautiful canal.

Barbican Center

Getting to know the most interesting places Still, it’s worth starting with the classics - a symbol that locals often jokingly call the Great Bell Tower, and since 2012 it has been officially called the Elizabeth Tower. You won't be able to miss this landmark of London - Big Ben is the main landmark in the city.

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2. Parliament

Londoners simply call the pompous structure on the banks of the Thames the Houses of Parliament. If you want to learn more about British politics, you can book a tour (a standard guided tour costs €30 for adults and €12 for children), but most people consider this unnecessary and limit themselves to exploring the palace from the outside along with Big Ben standing nearby.

Like the Palace of Westminster, the Queen's residence is open to the public, but many prefer to view it from behind the gates. If you still want to know how monarchs live, you can join a tour group. For €40 you will be allowed into the formal rooms, gallery and stables, and also taken around the gardens around the palace. But you can also choose cheaper excursions. Visiting hours and tour options for Buckingham Palace can be found on the official website.

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4. Ferris wheel

What's really worth spending money on is visiting the London Eye. It was built in 2000 and is considered the largest in the world. This is by far the best viewpoint in London, so the €23 entry fee is a pittance compared to what you'll see during the 30-minute spin. We recommend booking London Eye tickets online in advance. This will save time (there are usually long queues at the ticket office) and money (you will have to pay 15% more at the entrance).

5. Trafalgar Square

One of central squares city, in the center of which stands the famous Nelson's Column. Now the square has turned into a public area where people come to rest and watch the fountains. And during the period New Year's holidays it is here that a huge Christmas tree is erected and Trafalgar Square turns into a Christmas market.

6. Natural History Museum

Even if you're not interested at all natural history, it’s definitely worth going to South Kensington and looking at the museum building. And if you decide to go inside, you will be very surprised by the vastness of the exhibition and the number of exhibitions. By the way, if you are wondering what you can see in London with children, then this museum with its collections dedicated to dinosaurs will be just a godsend for little fidgets. Adventure seekers can get here even after sunset - on the so-called “night safari”. Excursions and ticket prices can be viewed on the official website.

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7. St. Paul's Cathedral

This cathedral is iconic place for London and is also considered one of business cards cities. Its construction began at the beginning of the 17th century, but after the Great Fire of London in 1666, the cathedral had to be rebuilt. An excellent view of the landmark opens from the Millennium Bridge, which is nearby. The cathedral is open to the public from 7:30 to 17:00; when ordered online, tickets cost €18 for adults and €9 for children.

8. Tate Modern Gallery

The gallery building itself, located on the banks of the Thames, is unique, and what awaits you inside is even more unique. Here you can see masterpieces by British and foreign contemporary artists. What’s nice is that entry to the gallery is free. Opening hours: Sunday–Thursday 10:00–18:00, Friday–Saturday 10:00–22:00.

9. Globe

Not far from Tate Modern is the famous Globe Theater, where William Shakespeare himself played. Of course, today you can only see the reconstruction of the original theater, but its modern appearance - an open thatched roof and wooden stages - seems to send us back to the 17th century. During the day there are excursions here (€16 for adults and €10 for children), and in the evening there are performances. The theater's poster can be found on the official website.

One of London's iconic landmarks and the most famous drawbridge in the world. The nearest tube station is Tower Hill. Don’t be lazy to come here to capture this symbol of the city from the banks of the Thames.

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11. Skyscraper "The Shard"

Built in 2012, this skyscraper is the tallest in Europe. Its height is 309 meters, the number of floors is 73. On the 68th, 69th and 72nd floors there are observation decks, opened to the public only in 2013. Well, be prepared to be stunned by the view of the city from this vantage point; it will be especially valuable to go here in the evening. During the day, admission for adults costs €30, for children €24, and at night - €42 and €35 ​​respectively.

12. Fortress Tower

One of the oldest monuments in London. The fortress was built in 1066 and served as a prison from 1100 to 1952. Now it is a museum dedicated to the history of the city. The main exhibit is the royal crown. If you buy a ticket to the Tower online in advance, it will cost €27 for adults and €12 for children. And this excursion is really worth it.

13. Mary-Ax Tower

Cucumber - this is what the locals call this 180-meter skyscraper. And although it is not considered a landmark and there is no observation deck (only offices), it has become a modern symbol of London and a good landmark in the city.

14. Hyde Park

This is the real heart of the city! Royal Park, located in the very center of London, should definitely be part of your itinerary. Don't be lazy to come here. Separately, it is worth noting the beautiful Serpentine Pond; if possible, rent a boat and sail to Kensington Palace.

If you are a fan of the Harry Potter series, don't miss the opportunity to visit the historic King's Cross railway station. Now you can take a photo there with a Gryffindor scarf and even pretend that you are walking through a column.

Also, you can find out where the epic films were filmed, go to the pavilions of the Warner Bros film studio to see with your own eyes the costumes and sets for the Harry Potter films and reward yourself with a bottle of butterbeer!

One of two "sewage temples" that carried sewage into the river during Queen Victoria's time. The station's unremarkable facade hides a riot of colors inside, pictures of fig trees on the walls, and four pumps with 52-ton flywheels. The station is open several times a month; the schedule and entrance ticket prices can be found on the website.

Cross Bones Cemetery

An unconsecrated cemetery for “Winchester geese” - this is the name given to prostitutes in the Middle Ages who were allowed to work in the city by the Bishop of Winchester. Beggars and homeless people also found their last refuge at the Crossbones before it closed in 1853. The site was not remembered until excavations in the 1990s. The cemetery now serves as a memorial; its gates are covered with ribbons and messages to lost loved ones.

Down the same street is Red Cross Garden, another undiscovered gem of the city. The park was opened by British social activist Octavia Hill, founder of the National Trust, which protects significant architectural and natural sites in England.

St Bride's Church

The spire of this church inspired an apprentice baker from Ludgate Hill to create the first multi-layer wedding cake in 1793. He baked the now classic pie for his bride. The church, built by Christopher Wren, is operational and open to the public.

London's smallest church

St Ethelburga's Church is the smallest building of its kind in London. Its height is 17 meters and its width is 9. The church is located in the eastern part of the City of London.

Nazi dog's grave

German Ambassador Leopold von Hoesch and his dog Giro lived in the old German Embassy building in London at 9 Carlton Terrace in the 1930s. Although von Hoesch was believed not to support Nazism, he served Hitler until his death from a heart attack in 1936. His body was sent back to Germany on the cruiser HMS Scout, but the remains of Guiraud, who died in 1934, remained on British soil. A small tombstone still stands next to the old embassy building; in a sense, this is the only monument to the Nazis in London.

St Dunstan's Church garden in the east

One of the most beautiful secret gardens in London is located among the ruins of St. Dunstan's Church on the route between London Bridge and the Tower. The church, built around the 12th century, burned down in a fire in 1666. After that, it was restored, but bombing during World War II completely destroyed the temple. In 1971, a small park was opened on its ruins.

The pub where Lenin and Stalin drank together

The Crown Tavern pub near Clerkenwell is believed to be the place where Lenin and Stalin first met. This legend is disputed by many, but it is certain that London has many attractions associated with the Bolsheviks. For example, young Stalin stayed at the inexpensive hotel The Tower House, which served as a shelter for fugitives from all over the world. The future leader arrived at the V Congress of the RSDLP in 1907.

London stone

Previously, a mysterious stone was embedded in the wall of the house at 111 Cannon Street at knee height. It is believed to be the remains of a boulder of unknown origin that has stood on the south side of the street for centuries. Some believe that these are the remains of a building from time Ancient Rome, others - that the boulder was used for occult rituals.

The stone is now in the Museum of London. The bronze plaque on it reads: “This is a fragment of a block that was set in the ground where Cannon Street Station now stands.” The stone was removed from the street in 1742, and in 1798 it was built into the wall of the church, which stood there until its demolition in 1962. Its origins and significance are unknown, but in 1188 it was reported to be associated with Mayor Henry.

Pedestrian tunnel in Greenwich

There are two good reasons to visit Island Gardens. It offers beautiful views of the National maritime museum, Royal Observatory and Greenwich Park. In addition, the park contains one of the entrances to the pedestrian tunnel under the Thames, intended for dockers who lived along the southern part of the river. The tunnel, designed by Sir Alexander Binney, opened in 1902, but remains unknown to the general public.

London's oldest street statue

The sculpture of the goddess Sekhmet, installed above the entrance to Sotheby's auction house, is the oldest outdoor statue in London. The monument to the Egyptian goddess of heat and war dates back to 1320 BC.

Dark slot machines

Near Lincoln's Inn Fields, Novelty Automation features the inventions of Tim Hankin, an inventor known for his eccentric games. Hankin is the author of a slot machine in which you need to hit bankers on the heads, a divorce simulator, as well as a board version of Pong - one of the first computer games. Exchange money for tokens and get the opportunity to play any of these games. Hankin's games are also on display in the port town of Southwold in Suffolk.

Postmen's Park

St James's Park, Regent's Park and Victoria Embankment Gardens are beautiful but attract too many tourists. Instead, it is better to visit the inconspicuous Postman Park, which was named so because of its popularity among post office workers. It is located a stone's throw from St Paul's Cathedral but is easy to miss. The park is dedicated to ordinary people who died saving the lives of others. Several scenes of the 2004 film “Closer” were filmed on the territory of this particular park.

The first coffee shop in the city

London's first coffee shop (or, more accurately, coffee kiosk) was founded by the Greek Pasca Rose in 1652. Rose discovered the taste of coffee while serving a British merchant in Turkey. The Greek was so impressed by the taste of the exotic drink that he decided to bring it to London. His kiosk attracted people from all walks of life. Cornhill pub and tavern owners could only watch in envy as Paska sold 600 cups of coffee a day. Worse, coffee came to be portrayed as an antidote to drunkenness, violence and lust, providing clear thinking, sophistication and wit. Rosé sparked a coffee boom and its “bitter Mohammedan brew” changed London forever.

Japanese roof garden

You can hide from the bustle of the English capital in the Japanese garden on the roof of the University of London. The garden was opened in 2001. You can visit it when the Brunei Gallery is open - usually from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:30 to 17:00.

Bridge without river

London is usually seen as a city of one river - the old Thames. In fact, more than 20 tributaries diverge from it. Some have been taken into the sewer system and can be seen through grates in the pavement or flowing through drainage pipes. It was the Thames and its tributaries that shaped the landscape of London. Despite the fact that over time the appearance of the city has changed a lot, traces of the rivers can still be seen if you know where to look. So, at the intersection of Piccadilly and Green Park there is a place where the road crossed the Tyburn River. The Oval is so named because it was built in the Effra Bend. And the Holborn Viaduct once served as a crossing over the River Fleet, where Farringdon Street now stands.

London's oldest shop

Lock & Co. Hatters is the oldest hat shop and one of the oldest family-owned businesses in the world. Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin, Admiral Nelson and other celebrities wore Lock hats. Let's not forget Firmin & Sons, a company that was unable to retain its old shop but is the third oldest business in London after The Whitechapel Bell Foundry (1570) and The London Gazette (1665). It produces belts, buttons, uniforms and insignia, and has officially supplied buttons to all British monarchs since 1796.

The smallest building in the city

The smallest listed building in London is Ostler's Hut at Lincoln's Inn Fields in the western part of the city centre. The building was built in 1860 to house the hotel's groom - a person who took care of the horses of arriving guests.

Noses Soho

Rick Buckley's nose-shaped installations are hidden all over London. The objects symbolize the growth of curiosity, in other words, the increasing spread of outdoor video surveillance. Most of them are in Soho. In 1997, Buckley installed 35 installations; now, according to rumors, there are only ten left.

Map unusual places London

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