Random facts are basically the greatest. In fact the tower was simply called ‘The Clock Tower’ when it was built, and was renamed ‘Elizabeth Tower’ in 2012, as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations. Soon after it was hung, the bell cracked and did not chime again for 4 years, until it was repaired and the hammer replaced with a smaller one in 1863. In 2014, London was the most visited city in the world, according to Forbes Magazine; the city received more than 18 million visitors over the year. Big Ben is the name given to the bell that chimes out the hour across Westminster. ( 28 January 2021 ). Transport for London’s annual haul of lost property typically includes 40,000 books; 30,000 items of clothing, 20,000 mobile phones and 10,000 umbrellas, all of which are left on buses, trains and the Underground. Visitors to the capital city from the other 70% of the world might feel comforted to know that there is one place here where you can drive on the right: Savoy Court, where one of the city’s most prestigious hotels stands, has required all vehicles to drive on the right side of the road for more than 100 years. That, we hope, is why you’re here – to dive into a world of completely useless, yet completely true facts! The lost property office employs 39 members of staff, who make every effort to contact the people who leave their possessions on the Underground and other services. Photo: Dave Briggs via FlickrCC. Like to advertise with us? Paul Talling’s excellent ‘London’s Lost Rivers’ documents the best of them brilliantly, and could give you some ideas for out of the way places to explore when you visit the city. The material is for general information only and does not constitute investment, tax, legal, medical or other form of advice. For more than a Century, London was the largest city in the world, and in 1810 it became the first city in the modern era to reach one million inhabitants. The Oval cricket ground in Kennington was established in 1845, the... 2. The cover of the 1977 Pink Floyd album Animals features a … Turn on JavaScript so our search engine can do its magic. London is home to some of the world’s finest Museums, displaying everything from Dinosaur bones and the wonders of nature, at the Natural History Museum to space age technology on display at the Science Museum. Big Ben is the name of the bell within. Facts about Education in London. J.M. If we're getting technical, this itty-bitty city only boasts just over 7,000 residents. Let these seemingly useless facts inspire you to find something new in the city. In fact, there are some truly mind-boggling facts and figures out there which actually end up being pretty useless! However, the administrative district of Greater London, plays host to roughly 8.3 million residents and spans a large enough area to squeeze in New York four times over. Contact them here if you’ve managed to leave one of your valued possessions on public transport. The 1948 games are often noted as one of the most significant historically, as they were the first post-World War 2 games, and the very first Olympic Games to be broadcast on television around the world. Some of the weirder things that have ended up in Transport for London’s lost property office in recent years include a pair of breast implants, several stuffed animals and a bag containing two human skulls (which were quickly reclaimed by an absent minded Professor). 28. It is also illegal to enter the Houses wearing a suit of armor. The Palace contains 8 bars, 6 restaurants, a rifle range and a hairdresser; none of which are open to the public. This agreement ended in 1988 and by 1990, he was bankrupt and, after his own London-based label failed to re-ignite his fortunes, he moved to Paris in search of financial backing and a strong client base. Yet even those familiar with our capital's charms might be surprised to find out one of these strange and interesting facts about London... One of London's most famous landmarks operates under a false identity - its real name is simply The Clock Tower. https://www.swedishnomad.com/interesting-facts-about-london These are facts and figures to make you smile, and to share with friends – they really are dinner party specials! The bell weighs in at a massive 13.5 tonnes and has a 2.75 metre circumference. So, don't even think about it unless you want to be accused of seriously flouting the law. Completely and utterly useless facts. 5.5 billion. The London Museum Owns 17000 Human Skeletons The majority of these remains were recovered from archaeological sites in around the city, which has been continuously inhabited since around 4000BC. London, the United Kingdom’s sprawling capital city, is full of surprises. The Houses of Parliament are also known as the Palace of Westminster. Photo: Mike T via FlickrCC. All items are kept for three months before being donated to charity. Beetles taste like apples, wasps like pine nuts, and worms like fried bacon. Find out how some of London’s other legendary football clubs got their names here. Please get in touch, Find out more about English holidays here. 29 Completely Useless Facts You Can Use to Impress Your Friends Abi Travis. You should not rely on this information to make (or refrain from making) any decisions. Plastic bottles escape the recycling bin every year. Get some tips on how to decorate a Christmas tree. Whether it's world class shopping, diverse world cuisine or a host of historical and modern attractions you seek, you'll find it all in this dynamic and cosmopolitan city. The UK and Ireland are the only 2 European nations to drive on the left. The team formed a company 1893, making them London’s first professional football club. London, meanwhile, remains the largest city in Europe but has dropped way down the global rankings to 34th position, with a population of 8.5 million. All of London's underground rivers are now used as part of the sewer system. Like snowflakes or fingerprints, the bacterial profile in your belly button is unique. 1.2 billion. It’s a perfect time waster. Speaking of the Big Apple, the long arm of the New York Police Department stretches all the way to London and is operational in the city. Though there have been a few interruptions, Big Ben has chimed out almost every hour since then. Photo Loco Steve via FlickrCC. After all, the UK capital boasts a fair old few. The UK capital hosted the games in 1908, 1948 and 2012. These underground rivers are the tributaries of the Thames and the River Lea which were built over as London expanded.. You’ll see what looks like a big, ugly green girder; this is actually a tube containing whatever remains of the River Westbourne, a tributary to the Thames which starts at Hampstead Heath. (or 50 Completely Useless Facts!) Question about your subscription? A lot of people think that Big Ben is the name of the clock, or the name of the tower which stands at the Houses of Parliament. 1. Find out more about English holidays here. It's also known as Apsley House and is open to visitors keen to sneak a peek at one of the best preserved examples of an 18th century English aristocratic residence in town. Barrie - he had no children of his own so made sure that the hospital received royalties from all associated works and performances of his masterpiece. London Has Fallen is a 2016 American action thriller film directed by Babak Najafi and written by Creighton Rothenberger, Katrin Benedikt, Chad St. John, and Christian Gudegast. Most of the others, roughly 30% of the world’s countries, are former British colonies. The Westbourne River runs through the green box above the platform at Sloane Square. No excuse for single use. https://www.anadventurousworld.com/interesting-facts-about-london 23 December 2016 Facts about London People (Londoners) More than 300 languages are spoken within London. London, meanwhile, remains the largest city in Europe but has dropped way down the global rankings to 34th position, with a population of 8.5 million. Useless Daily: Facts, Trivia, News, Oddities, Jokes and more! The current Palace was built in the 19th Century; on the bank of the River Thames – a location which was chosen so that the Palace could never be completely surrounded by a mob. The majority of these remains were recovered from archaeological sites in around the city, which has been continuously inhabited since around 4000BC. The court is on the hotel’s private property, so driving on the right here doesn’t break the law. 2. To show their gratitude to the people of England for their alliance in World War II, the people of Oslo, Norway, present London with the Christmas tree proudly displayed in Trafalgar Square every year. Whether you’re staying in London for the first or the 50th time, there’s always something new to discover here. At -90 degrees Fahrenheit, your breath will freeze midair and fall to the ground. 29. It would be a difficult one to prosecute, but this law has been on the books in London for several hundred years. 26. Pigs have flown over Battersea. Linguistically, it is also the world’s most diverse city; with residents speaking around 300 languages between them. London is the only British city to host the games, in terms of countries; only the USA has hosted the Summer Olympics on more occasions. Home → City Guides → Impress Your Mates With These Useless Facts About London, Posted on May 20th, 2015 Posted in City Guides, People & Stories No Comments. The largest is the River Fleet, which gets its name from the Anglo-Saxon word for 'tidal inlet', and from which Fleet Street gets its name (after Fleet Bridge, the old river crossing). But of course, that's not all this enticing destination offers. Plastic fruit and veg bags get binned. London has 43 universities, the largest concentration of higher education in Europe. https://www.saga.co.uk/.../days-out/10-interesting-facts-about-london The reason for this is that it is easier for passengers to exit their vehicles and for vehicles to get out of the court without turning. A Black Cab drops off passengers at the Savoy Hotel. The skeletons date from early civilizations up to the post medieval period and are carefully looked after by the London Museum and used for research in various disciplines. If you can't resist the pull of those big city lights, you're probably no stranger to London. 'Number 1, London' was once the home of the 1st Duke of Wellington. Impress Your Mates With These Useless Facts About London, The Best Music Festivals in Germany: Part 2, New York’s Top Neighborhoods Part 1: Manhattan. Facts about London Transport. It’s a city that’s constantly changing, with a fascinating history and cultural scene. London gets an average of 583.6 millimeters of rainfall per year, making it less wet than Rome, Istanbul, Barcelona, Sydney, Miami and New York City. Subscribe today and you’ll be eligible to join Saga’s free membership programme, Possibilities. Westminster Palace, viewed from the opposite bank of the Thames. The London Underground is the oldest underground railway network in the world. This makes this famous political landmark the largest palace in the country. The word "queue" is the only word in the English language that is still pronounced the same way when the last four letters are removed. 10 completely useless facts about south east London London has a rich but also unusual history. In 1926, Tokyo overtook London as the world’s most densely populated city. From science, history, broken records and more. Big Ben has been at the top of the tower since it was originally hung in 1859. 27. Since then, Tokyo has remained at the top of the pile with a population expected to reach 14 million in the next few years. There are around 20 rivers, brooks and canals snaking their way across London, mostly hidden from view and known only to a few. In 1913 Arsenal moved from Woolwich to Highbury, and in 1932 the nearby Gillespie Road Underground Station had its name changed to Arsenal. As you probably know, the United Kingdom is one of a minority of countries which drive on the left. Chewing an apple is just as effective at waking you up in the morning as drinking a cup of coffee. https://www.studying-in-uk.org/15-interesting-facts-about-london Stand on the platform at Sloane Square Station, in the heart of fashionable Chelsea, and look up. We’ve created a survival kit to help you London hides a network of subterranean rivers The capital is built above an huge system of subterranean rivers … There are so many beautiful places to visit in England you are spoilt for choice. Always obtain independent, professional advice for your own particular situation. https://sites.google.com/site/safdsadawda/home/50-useless-facts On May 31st 2008, the eve of the day the ban was to be brought into action, revellers took a trip on the Circle Line, many in fancy dress, for one last knees-up before the era of public transport prohibition began. The Peter Pan copyright was gifted to the hospital by the author. Over the years the city has been home to a myriad of important historical figures; these include French philosopher Voltaire, American poet Edgar Allen Poe, Vietnamese revolutionary Ho Chi Minh; who used to wash dishes at a London hotel, and the legendary Mahatma Gandhi. Top 10 completely useless facts about southwest London 1. Grass at the Oval Cricket Ground is from Tooting. The north London team got its name from their previous location – in Woolwich, where the Royal Arsenal Munitions Complex was located, up until its closure in 1994.