Category: London History
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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.
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How Elephant & Castle Got Its Name
London has a lot of strange place names and one of the most quirky is the South London area known as Elephant & Castle. So, how did Elephant and castle get its name? Well, it’s not a reference to an ancient fortress guarded by enormous elephants (though that would be cool. But the story behind…
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The Polar Bear that Lived at the Tower of London
The Tower of London is renowned for its rich and multifaceted history that spans over a millennium. Within its storied walls, the Tower has seen countless tales of intrigue, treachery, and opulence. While most narratives revolve around the beheadings, imprisonments, and the Crown Jewels, one of its lesser-known yet equally fascinating tales is that of…
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Queenhithe – London’s hidden Anglo-Saxon dock
On the north bank of the Thames between Southwark Bridge and Blackfriars Bridge. is Queenhithe a secret bit of London history that even almost Londoners aren’t aware of. Queenhithe, is now just a small part of London beach sandwiched between apartment blocks but it was once a thriving Anglo Saxon harbour that played a pivotal…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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London’s Grim Coffin Houses
In the shadowy underbelly of London’s sprawling metropolis lies a secret world that few dare to explore – the coffin houses. These grim and foreboding establishments are not for the faint of heart, nor for those who seek comfort and solace. No, they are the last refuge of the desperate, the destitute, and the damned.…
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Historic video of London’s Regent’s Canal
‘Barging Through London’ (1924) is a short film of horse drawn barges travelling from east to west London on the Regent’s Canal, interspersed with relevant street scenes. It gives a fascinating insight into what life was like on London’s canals 100 years ago. Timeline: 00:00 Departure from Limehouse 00:47 Mile End Road at Stepney Green 01:13…
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The Locations of the Jack the Ripper murders
Jack the Ripper is London’s most infamous serial killer. Jack the Ripper spread a rein of terror through London’s East End in Victorian London between 1888 and 1891. His victims were mostly prostitutes, who had their throats slashed and their bodies mutilated.Although many books have been written on him, nobody knows his true identity. All…
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London’s Deepest Tube Station
Londons deepest tube station is ‘North End’, also known as ‘Bull and Bush’. You may have been past it but you won’t have got on or got off there, because its one of the London underground’s ghost stations. It was never completed and never even opened. It’s on the Northern line between Hampstead and Golders…
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Soho’s Sleazy History
In the heart of London, where the city’s vibrant energy and seedy underbelly collide, lies Soho. This compact, bustling district has long been a hotbed of creativity, rebellion, and, yes, sleaze. Soho’s history is a kaleidoscope of illicit affairs, underground clubs, and characters as colourful as the neon lights that have adorned its streets for…
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London’s Scariest Tourist Attractions
London is one often greatest cities to live and visit but with over 2000 years of history it has also born witness to a lot of horror.If you like your tourist attractions to be scary then here are our favourites. The London Dungeon The London Dungeon is London’s scariest tourist attraction. At the London Dungeon…
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The Highwayman of Wimbledon Common
On the edge of Wimbledon Common where the Kingston Road passes, are some trees on the side of a small rise of ground. This part of the common is called Jerry’s Hill and is named after the 18th-century highwayman called Jerry Abershawe, who frequented those parts and held up carriages on their way between Kingston…