London is the capital city of England and of the United Kingdom and one of the most beautiful cities. This is the largest city in the European Union and the 16th in the world. We have picked up some of the most interesting facts about this amazing city.
1. There are many cities in the world with the same name, so Canada, the USA, and other countries have their own London. It is unusual that the Canadian London is also located on a river called the Thames.
2. Oddly enough, a very prestigious profession here is a taxi driver. Not everyone can take the exam and become a taxi driver in London, as all London taxi drivers are required to know perfectly the city map and the location of every street. This is one of the reasons that London’s taxis are the most expensive in the world.
3. Despite its reputation as a rainy city, there is less rain in London than in Rome, Naples or even Australia’s Sydney, however, if it starts raining here, it will not end for several days.
4. According to the 2024 Mercer Cost of Living Survey, London ranks 8th among the most expensive cities in the world. High costs in London are mainly due to expensive housing, transport, and everyday living expenses, making it a pricey place to live for both locals and visitors.
5. With 78 billionaires, London ranks among the wealthiest cities in Europe and the world. The city’s strong economy, status as a global financial hub, and attractive business opportunities continue to make it a prime destination for the world’s wealthiest individuals.
The Palace of Westminster in London, home to the UK Parliament.
7. The London subway is known all over the world and is called “Underground”, but despite its name, more than half of the underground network actually works on the ground. Also interesting is the fact that about half a million rats live in the London subway.
8. Today, the average traffic speeds in central London are now very similar to traffic speeds that London saw over a century ago when horses and carts were the main forms of transport.
9. London is home to the oldest public zoo in the world. The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) opened the London Zoo in 1828. It houses over 19,000 animals and is an important part of global wildlife conservation efforts. The zoo's stunning location in Regent's Park makes it a popular destination for visitors of all ages.
10. In 1849, London Zoo introduced the world’s first public terrarium, known then as the “Reptile House” — a revolutionary step in exhibiting reptiles and amphibians. Visitors could, for the first time, observe snakes, crocodiles, and other cold-blooded creatures in specially designed enclosures.
11. The Churchill Arms is a must-see place in London. It bedecked with 100 flower pots, 48 window boxes, and 42 hanging baskets. When the winter closes in, the pub whopping 97 trees and 21,500 lights, earning it the title of the “most festive pub” in the United Kingdom.
Unbelievable Pub and Restaurant in London “The Churchill Arms”.
13. The famous red telephone boxes were designed in 1924. The iconic red telephone box, a staple of London’s landscape, was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. Although the use of public phones has drastically decreased in recent years, the boxes remain an enduring symbol of British culture.
14. The Routemaster, a famous double-decker bus, is a symbol of London. Although the Routemaster was retired from regular service in 2005, a few iconic buses were kept for special heritage routes. These buses continue to operate today, offering nostalgic trips for tourists on specific routes like the heritage Route 15.
15. Big Ben's original construction cost was about £20,000 (around $1.8 million) in the 1850s. If the iconic tower were to be built from scratch in 2025, it would likely cost around $200 million or more. This significant increase is due to inflation, modern construction standards, and the complexity of building such a historic landmark today.
16. On 17 October 1814, London was flooded with beer, which was the result of a huge vat containing over 135,000 imperial gallons (610,000 L) of beer ruptured. This day in the history of London is called “London Beer Flood”.
Henry Meux & Co Brewery in London, where a massive beer vat rupture caused the London Beer Flood.
18. The fastest way to travel the 212 miles (342 km) from central London to central Paris can be reached by high-speed train (Eurostar) in just 2 hours 16 minutes.
19. London is a haven for book lovers. The city has more bookstores per capita than any other city in the world. From the famous Waterstones in Piccadilly to quirky independent stores like Daunt Books, London is truly a literary paradise for those who love to read and explore new worlds through books.
20. The Cultural diversity of London society is evidenced by the fact that the locals collectively speak about 300 different languages, in fact, more than 40% of the ‘local’ population is foreign-born.
