15 Unusual Facts About London

Everyone knows the basics about London - it's the capital of the UK, home to the Monarch and the Prime Minister, and it is a city that runs almost entirely on Pret. But what about some of the lesser known facts? Here's some niche London knowledge to impress your friends with.

The City of London is the smallest city in the UK.

Ok, this is a bit of a trick fact - At just 1.1 square miles, it is technically the smallest. This area used to be a walled city during Roman times - you can even find surviving fragments of the wall around London today. Make sure you remember this fact for future pub quizzes.

There is a London Stone which, if moved, will jeopardise the future of the city.

At least, that's what some people believe. The London Stone is one of London's most ancient landmarks, and is the so-called 'heart of London'. However, it has been moved around a fair few times - sorry Romans. Pay it a visit and see if you're impressed.

The British government has employed cats since the 16th century.

The Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office is arguably one of the most important positions in government. For hundreds of years, a resident cat has been employed in the British government as a mouser and a pet. Larry, the current Chief Mouser, has held this prestigious position since 2011 - he's outlasted four Prime Ministers.

There's loads of foxes here.

Ok, maybe this isn't that weird for people who grew up in Britain. But for those of you who didn't, you may be surprised to know that there are over 10,000 of them in the city. You'll mainly see them when you venture out of busier areas, but there are a few who will brave the streets of central. But don't worry - they pose very little threat to humans and are pretty shy.

There's a secret underground mail train - and you can ride it.

In 1911, a 6.5 mile long underground railway was built to carry letters around London to different sorting offices. Stretching all the way from Paddington to Whitechapel, the line was in operation 22 hours a day. Although usage was halted in 2003, you can ride the mail train today by paying a visit to London's Postal Museum.

Norway has gifted a Christmas tree to London every year since 1947.

That giant Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square? It's a gift from Norway, to thank the United Kingdom for being its ally during the Second World War. Whilst last year's tree was not super popular with the general public, it's still a pretty nice present.

There is a fake house near Hyde Park.

At first glance, 23 & 24 Leinster Gardens look no different to the other houses on their street. However, both of these houses are just five metres thick in diameter. No, they're not just very small flats - they were built to hide the old railway line built there in the 1860s.

Over half of the Underground runs over ground.

It might be called the London Underground, but around 55% of it is actually over ground - that's why you might get phone signal at random points in your journey. Only the Victoria and Waterloo & City lines are entirely underground. Even more confusingly, the Overground and the Elizabeth Line are not technically classed as part of the tube network - even though they appear on the tube map.

The narrowest alleyway in London is just 15 inches wide.

Brydges Place in Covent Garden is home to London's narrowest alley, which is a tiny 15 inches wide at its narrowest point. Under a 30-minute walk from campus, it's well worth a visit (and there's loads of stuff to do in Covent Garden also).

There are always at least 6 ravens in the Tower of London.

If they leave, it is said that the Tower and the Monarchy will fall - so 7 ravens live at the Tower today (they have a spare one, of course). Their names are Jubilee, Harris, Gripp, Rocky, Erin, Poppy and Merlina - in case you needed to know.

London is technically classed as a forest.

You'd be forgiven for not believing this if you're a regular on Euston Road, but London is pretty green. The city has over 8 million trees, making it the world's largest urban forest according to the UN.

London Bridge was sold in 1968, and is now in Arizona.

Yes, really. At one point, London Bridge really was about to fall down, so its parts were sold to American entrepreneur Robert McCulloch for $2.46 million. It now stands in Arizona, accompanied by a red telephone box. The new London Bridge that stands in its place on the Thames was completed in 1973.

London cab drivers have to memorise every street in the city.

Black cabs are becoming less common with the increasing popularity of Uber, but their drivers are seriously well-versed in getting about London. In order to qualify as a cabbie (a taxi driver), years of study are required to pass The Knowledge examination. Drivers must know the name and location of every street, and the quickest way to get to any of them. Perhaps not as necessary now we have sat-navs, but still pretty impressive.

You can find wild green parakeets in Kensington Gardens.

Kensington Gardens is not just home to Kensington Palace, but also to thousands of parakeets. Bring an apple or two and see if you can entice them over!

Finally, London is less rainy than Paris, Rome, Barcelona & Miami.

Yes, British people really do love talking about the weather and complaining about the rain - but London's weather isn't as bad as it's made out to be. That's not to say you shouldn't keep an umbrella handy, however. We hear The Hanger have some nice ones...