London’s Hidden Side: Quirky Facts Every Local Should Know
London might be one of the most documented cities in the world, but it’s still full of odd, wonderful, and head-scratching facts that even lifelong Londoners might have missed. Sure, you know the Thames runs through it, the Tube is over 160 years old, and there’s a big clock called Big Ben (spoiler: that’s actually the bell, not the tower). But beneath the tourist guides and Instagram reels lies a collection of quirky, delightful tidbits that give this city its charm.
Whether you’re a born-and-bred Londoner or just London at heart, here are some strange and surprising facts about the city you can pull out at the pub to impress your mates.
1. There’s a Whole Town Hall Just for Cats and Dogs
You’ve heard of City Hall, but have you heard of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home’s own little government tradition? This iconic rescue centre has been rehoming pets since 1860, making it older than the London Underground. They even have a tongue-in-cheek tradition of appointing "Chief Mouser" cats—Larry at 10 Downing Street is one of the most famous.
Fun fact: Larry isn’t actually a pet of the Prime Minister. He’s a civil servant. Yes, you read that right.
2. You Could Once Pay Your Rent in Eels
During the Middle Ages, eels were the currency of choice in London’s river trade. The Thames was teeming with them, and landlords would happily accept a barrel of eels as rent. It wasn’t just a quirky barter system—they were a genuine staple of London diets.
The tradition of eating jellied eels survives in East End pie-and-mash shops, even though the Thames eel population has drastically declined.
3. The Tube Has Its Own Secret Species
The London Underground is not just home to commuters and buskers—it also has its own subspecies of mosquito, Culex pipiens molestus. Trapped underground for decades, they’ve adapted to the Tube’s warm, enclosed environment and are now genetically different from the mosquitoes above ground.
If you ever needed another reason to keep your window shut in summer… well, here you go.
4. There’s a Hidden Pet Cemetery in Hyde Park
Tucked away behind the Victoria Gate Lodge, Hyde Park hides a tiny pet cemetery dating back to 1881. Initially created for the pets of park keepers and staff, it grew to house over 300 small graves, complete with adorable Victorian headstones.
It’s not generally open to the public, but on rare heritage days, you can peek into this miniature, peaceful corner of London’s history.
5. Traffic Still Has to Give Way to Sheep
Thanks to ancient laws, freemen of the City of London still have the right to drive sheep over London Bridge without paying tolls. While you won’t see it during your Monday commute (unless something has gone really wrong), ceremonial sheep drives are still held to raise money for charity.
If you spot this happening, you’ll have a bizarre London moment to tell your friends forever.
6. There’s a Time Ball That’s Been Dropping Since 1833
Before smartphones and radio time signals, ships on the Thames relied on a giant time ball at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich. Every day at exactly 1 p.m., the red ball drops to signal the precise time so sailors could set their chronometers.
It’s still working today—though now it’s mostly for tradition (and tourist photos).
7. London Once Had Its Own ‘Ice Skyscraper’
Before refrigeration, London relied on ice wells—massive underground storage chambers where ice imported from Norway and North America was kept for months. The most impressive survivor is the London Canal Museum’s ice well, which could store tons of ice and even supplied Queen Victoria.
Imagine: an entire economy built around giant chunks of frozen water.
8. You Can Send a Letter to the Queen Without an Address
Well… you could. The Royal Mail was famous for being able to deliver letters with the vaguest of descriptions, including ones simply addressed to “The Queen, London” or “The Man Who Lives in the Big Palace.”
While that still works for Buckingham Palace, don’t try it with your mates—you’ll probably just confuse the postman.
9. There’s a Tiny Police Station in Trafalgar Square
Blink and you’ll miss it: in the southeast corner of Trafalgar Square, there’s a one-person police station built in 1926. It was designed so officers could keep an eye on protests and gatherings without being spotted.
Today, it’s no longer used for policing—it’s just a quirky footnote in London’s history.
10. You’re Never More Than 30 Metres from a Pub
Okay, that’s a bit of an exaggeration… but not by much. London has over 3,500 pubs, from centuries-old taverns like The Seven Stars (dating back to 1602) to modern craft beer spots.
If there’s a moral here, it’s that you’re never far from a pint in this city.
Living in London Means Living with Its Quirks
Part of what makes London magical is that you can live here for years and still discover something weird, surprising, or downright baffling. These quirky facts are just the tip of the iceberg—there are countless more hiding in cobblestone alleys, on plaques above doorways, and buried deep in the city’s centuries of history.
Final Tips for Spotting London’s Oddities
Look up and down – London hides as much above shopfronts and below streets as it does at eye level.
Take detours – Wander side streets instead of sticking to the main roads.
Join walking tours – Especially the niche ones, like "Ghost Signs of London" or "Hidden Alleyways."
Read plaques – Blue plaques, green plaques, random brass ones—they all have a story.
Your Turn
What’s the quirkiest fact you’ve ever discovered about London?
Share it in the comments or DMs, and let’s see how many hidden London gems we can collect together.
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