Category: Hidden London

  • Club Row: London’s Pet Market

    Club Row: London’s Pet Market

    Shoreditch’s Once-Infamous Animal Bazaar Nestled in East London’s Shoreditch, the Club Row Pet Market was once a bustling hotspot for animal lovers, traders, and spectators alike. It ran for over a century, from the late 19th century up until its closure in the 1980s, attracting Londoners from all walks of life in search of pets…

  • The London pub that inspired a nursery rhyme

    The London pub that inspired a nursery rhyme

    The Eagle pub is the only pub that is immortalised in a nursery rhyme. Pop Goes the Weasel features the lines UP and Down The City Road, In and Out The Eagle….

  • The Kings Cross Lighthouse

    The Kings Cross Lighthouse

    Despite being situated miles away from the nearest coastline, Kings Cross has a lighthouse …

  • The Opium Dens of London’s East End

    The Opium Dens of London’s East End

    In the heart of London’s East End during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the dimly lit, smoke-filled opium dens became notorious symbols of the city’s underworld.

  • London’s Peregrine Falcons

    London’s Peregrine Falcons

    When you think of London’s skyline, towering landmarks like the Shard, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the Gherkin probably come to mind. But perched on the ledges of these iconic buildings is an unexpected group of residents—peregrine falcons. These birds of prey, once endangered in the UK, have made an extraordinary comeback and now thrive in…

  • The Curious Tale of London’s Smallest House

    The Curious Tale of London’s Smallest House

    Imagine a house so small, you could practically touch both walls at once! Meet Number 10 Hyde Park Place, once known as London’s smallest home, measuring a mere 3 feet 6 inches wide—narrow enough to make even the skinniest buildings feel spacious. This slender, tube-like dwelling first popped up in 1805, squished between two grand mansion…

  • London’s Ghost Signs

    London’s Ghost Signs

    Ghost signs are those fading advertisements, often hand-painted, on the side of old buildings, dating back to a time when large-scale printing and digital advertising were unheard of. London’s ghost signs are beautiful, nostalgic relics that offer a fascinating juxtaposition against the city’s modern skyline telling stories of businesses, products, and lifestyles of days gone…

  • The Wife Auctions of Spitalfields

    The Wife Auctions of Spitalfields

    In the colourful tapestry of London’s history, there exists a curious and often overlooked chapter: the wife auctions of Spitalfields. These peculiar events, which unfolded in the bustling East End district of London, were a blend of quirkiness, scandal, and social commentary that could only have emerged from the vibrant streets of 18th and 19th-century…

  • Visit Jeremy Bentham’s Mummified Body

    Visit Jeremy Bentham’s Mummified Body

    In the heart of London, nestled within the hallowed halls of University College London, an unusual and enigmatic figure rests in eternal repose – Jeremy Bentham, the father of utilitarianism. Bentham, an English philosopher and social reformer, left an indelible mark on the world with his radical ideas about ethics and governance. But what truly…

  • Charles Dickens’ Top 10 London Locations

    Charles Dickens’ Top 10 London Locations

    Charles Dickens was a masterful storyteller who vividly depicted the gritty and colorful streets of 19th-century London in his novels. Here are ten real-life Dickensian London locations that played a prominent role in his works: These real-life London locations served as the backdrop for Dickens’ timeless stories, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the vibrant,…

  • A Guide to London’s Diverse Ethnic Neighbourhoods

    A Guide to London’s Diverse Ethnic Neighbourhoods

    London is not just the capital of the United Kingdom; it is a global city that has long been celebrated for its rich tapestry of cultures and ethnicities. Over centuries, the city has evolved into a melting pot of diversity, with neighborhoods that reflect the many waves of immigration that have shaped its character. From…

  • London’s Hidden Rivers

    London’s Hidden Rivers

    Every Londoner knows the River Thames, London’s most iconic river but beneath its modern streets lies a hidden world of forgotten rivers, streams, and waterways. These forgotten watercourses, once the lifeblood of the city, have been buried, paved over, or redirected to accommodate the city’s growth and development. Here Londonopia delve into the history of…