59 Fun Facts About London: A Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors and History Buffs

London has endless stories, iconic landmarks, and fascinating history. Whether you’re planning your first London trip, creating a London itinerary, or simply love exploring fun facts about London, this guide has something for everyone. Did you know the Great Fire of London reshaped the city in 1666? Or that black cabs are driven by experts who memorize over 25,000 streets?

From quirky facts about London Bridge and the River Thames to modern architectural marvels like The Shard, there’s so much to uncover. Perfect for travelers, history buffs, or kids researching England school projects, these 55 facts are packed with surprises. Whether you’re exploring Kensington London, visiting famous attractions like Madame Tussauds, or curious about life in this incredible city, you’ll find this list both informative and fun.

Get ready to discover the culture of England, learn about London weather, and even find tips for first-time visitors to this vibrant destination. Let’s dive into these interesting facts about London and see why it’s a favorite for anyone exploring Europe travel guides

The famous clock tower many call “Big Ben” is actually the Elizabeth Tower. Big Ben is the name of the large bell inside the tower that chimes the hour.

55 Fun Facts About London

1. Big Ben Isn’t the Clock Tower’s Name

The famous clock tower is officially named the Elizabeth Tower, while Big Ben refers to the massive bell inside the tower.

2. The Romans Founded London

London was established in 43 AD by the Romans and was originally called Londinium.

3. More Than 300 Languages Are Spoken

With over 300 languages spoken, London is one of the most linguistically diverse cities in the world.

4. The Tube Is the Oldest Metro System

The London Underground, also known as “The Tube,” opened in 1863 and was the world’s first subway system.

5. It’s Illegal to Die in Parliament

A popular myth suggests it’s illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament, though this is not an enforceable law.

6. Tower Bridge Is Not London Bridge

Many visitors confuse the iconic Tower Bridge with the plain-looking London Bridge, which is further upriver.

7. The City of London Is Tiny

The historic City of London, known as the financial district, covers only about one square mile.

8. Black Cabs Must Pass the Knowledge Test

To become a black cab driver, one must memorize over 25,000 streets and landmarks in a rigorous test called “The Knowledge.”

9. The London Eye Was Meant to Be Temporary

The London Eye, a giant Ferris wheel on the South Bank, was originally planned as a temporary structure for the millennium.

10. Ravens Protect the Tower of London

Legend says that if the ravens leave the Tower of London, the kingdom will fall. To ensure this doesn’t happen, at least six ravens are kept there at all times.

11. Piccadilly Circus Has No Elephants

The “Circus” in Piccadilly Circus refers to its circular layout, not an actual circus.

12. The Thames Is Tidal

The River Thames is a tidal river, with water levels rising and falling by up to 23 feet daily.

13. London Has Six Airports

London is served by six major airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, Southend, and London City Airport.

14. The British Museum Is Free

The world-renowned British Museum offers free entry, allowing visitors to explore its vast collection of artifacts.

15. The Shard Is the Tallest Building

Standing at 310 meters (1,016 feet), The Shard is the tallest building in the United Kingdom.

16. It Hosted the Olympics Three Times

London is the only city to host the Summer Olympics three times—in 1908, 1948, and 2012.

17. Greenwich Is the Home of Time

Greenwich, located in London, is where Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and the Prime Meridian originate.

18. The Great Fire of London Only Killed Six People

The Great Fire of London in 1666 destroyed much of the city but officially caused only six recorded deaths.

19. Red Phone Boxes Are Iconic

Though less common today, London’s red phone boxes remain a beloved symbol of British culture.

20. Buckingham Palace Has 775 Rooms

The official residence of the British monarch, Buckingham Palace, boasts an astonishing 775 rooms.

21. The Queen’s Guard Can Smile

Contrary to popular belief, the Queen’s Guard at Buckingham Palace is allowed to smile or react under certain circumstances.

22. There’s a Fake House on Downing Street

A fake house, 9 Downing Street, exists next to the famous 10 Downing Street. It has no functional rooms.

23. The Thames Was Once So Polluted It Caught Fire

In the 19th century, the River Thames was so polluted it earned the nickname “The Great Stink” and even caught fire.

24. The Gherkin Is Actually 30 St Mary Axe

The skyscraper commonly known as The Gherkin is officially called 30 St Mary Axe.

25. London Buses Weren’t Always Red

Before 1907, buses in London were painted in different colors to distinguish routes.

26. There Are More Indian Restaurants in London Than Mumbai

London is a hub for Indian cuisine, boasting more Indian restaurants than Mumbai or Delhi.

27. Shakespeare’s Globe Is a Reconstructed Theater

The original Globe Theatre burned down in 1613, but a faithful reconstruction now stands near its original site.

28. London Has a City Beneath the City

A network of tunnels, bunkers, and secret passageways lies beneath the streets of London.

29. Hyde Park Hosts Free Speech at Speakers’ Corner

Speakers’ Corner in Hyde Park is a famous spot for open-air public speaking and debates.

30. The Tower of London Is Haunted

Ghost stories abound at the Tower of London, with sightings of figures like Anne Boleyn.

31. You Can Visit Platform 9¾

At King’s Cross Station, fans of Harry Potter can pose at a dedicated Platform 9¾ display.

32. The Tube Has Ghost Stations

Several disused Tube stations, often called ghost stations, exist beneath London’s streets.

33. There’s a Tiny Police Station in Trafalgar Square

One of the UK’s smallest police stations is tucked into the southeast corner of Trafalgar Square.

34. The Millennium Bridge Was Wobbly

Nicknamed the “Wobbly Bridge,” the Millennium Bridge had to be reinforced shortly after its opening in 2000.

35. There Are No Roads Named ‘Road’ in the City of London

In the historic City of London, streets are named lanes, alleys, or ways but not “Road.”

36. London Has a Tropical Garden

The Barbican Conservatory houses over 2,000 species of tropical plants.

37. There’s a Cereal Cafe

The Cereal Killer Café serves bowls of cereal from around the world.

38. London Has a Pyramid

A small pyramid can be found in Highgate Cemetery, hidden among the graves.

39. Clapham Common Has a Nuclear Bunker

A Cold War-era nuclear bunker lies beneath Clapham Common, a large green space in London.

40. The Ritz Was the First Hotel With Phones in Every Room

The Ritz Hotel in London was the first hotel to offer telephones in every guest room.

41. Big Ben Weighs Over 13 Tons

The Great Bell inside the Elizabeth Tower, known as Big Ben, weighs more than 13 tons.

42. The London Underground Has Wi-Fi

Most stations on the London Underground now offer Wi-Fi to commuters.

43. London Hosts an Annual Cheese Rolling Festival

Cheese enthusiasts gather annually for a quirky cheese rolling festival in London.

44. Red Deer Roam Richmond Park

Richmond Park, one of London’s royal parks, is home to herds of wild red deer.

45. St. Paul’s Cathedral Is a Whispering Gallery

The dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral allows whispers to travel from one side to the other.

46. The Tube’s Escalators Are the Longest in Europe

The escalators at Angel Station are among the longest in Europe.

47. Sherlock Holmes Has a Museum

Fans of the famous detective can visit the Sherlock Holmes Museum at 221B Baker Street.

48. London Is Full of Hidden Bars

The city boasts numerous hidden bars and speakeasies, accessible only by those in the know.

49. The Thames Has Over 200 Bridges

The River Thames is crossed by more than 200 bridges, each with its own history.

50. The Blackfriars Station Is Eco-Friendly

Blackfriars Station is the world’s largest solar-powered bridge.

51. There’s a Secret Nose in Soho

A small sculpture of a nose can be found hidden on buildings in Soho.

52. The London Marathon Runs Past Iconic Sights

The London Marathon route includes landmarks like Tower Bridge and Buckingham Palace.

53. The British Library Houses the Magna Carta

The British Library holds one of the original copies of the Magna Carta, signed in 1215.

54. You Can Swim in the Thames

Certain parts of the River Thames, such as the Serpentine Lido, are safe for swimming.

55. London Is Home to the World’s Oldest Bookstore

Hatchards, established in 1797, is the oldest continuously operating bookstore in the world.

56. London is the smallest city in England

We all know that London is a massive city.

But actually, what we refer to as London is, in fact, the Greater London area which includes all the surrounding towns and the City of London, the real British capital.

And surprisingly, the City of London has less than 10,000 citizens, making it the tiniest city in the UK.

56. More than 300 languages are spoken in London

London is a diverse city due to its large immigrant population.

Today, there are more than 300 spoken languages, including the native languages of English, Welsh, and Scots.

Other spoken languages are Bengali, Punjabi, Hindu, Turkish, Arabic, Cantonese, Greek, and Spanish.

57. There are 170 museums in London

London is a multicultural city due to its large ex-pat population. But with more than 170 museums, London is literally home to culture, history, science, technology, and art.

The most popular museums include the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, the Victoria & Albert, TATE Modern, and the Imperial War Museum.

58. There are a lot of urban foxes in London

Although wild animals tend to avoid big cities, London is home to more than 10,000 foxes. However, you shouldn’t worry about them.

They are indifferent towards humans and usually just back off quietly if they see one. So, if you see one, just think of it as a cute animal going for a stroll.

59. More than 20 rivers are flowing under London streets

Once upon a time, London had more rivers than just the Thames.

However, as the city expanded and urbanization took over, the city’s several marshlands were buried underneath the streets and houses.

Yet, if you pass through  Romford or Brentford underground stations, you will notice some rivers going up to the surface.