London Black Cab Sightseeing Tours

“ On New Years Eve 1962, heavy snow and ice on the hands tripped the failsafe mechanism that detaches the pendulum from the clockwork - so it chimed in the new year 10 minutes late. ”

“ The palace contains 77,000 square metres (828,000 square feet) of floorspace, making it about one third the size of the Empire State Building. It has its own post office, and its own postcode - SW1A 1AA. ”

“ The height of the column was always given as 56 metres (184 feet), but before it was refurbished in 2006, laser surveys were taken during which it was found that it was actually only 50 m (164 feet) from the bottom of the first step on the pedestal to the tip of the admirals hat. ”

“ Christopher Wrens cathedral is actually the fifth to stand on the spot. The first burned down in 675. The second was sacked by the Vikings in 961. The third, in which Ethelred the Unready was buried, burnt down (with the whole city) in 1087. The fourth took 200 years to build, and nearly burned down again while still under construction in 1136. It was ultimately destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666. ”

“ In the 17th century, when the Royal Observatory was sited in the north eastern turret of the White Tower, Royal Astonomer John Flamsteed complained to King Charles II that the ravens were in his way. At first, Charles ordered their removal, but then he was told of the legend that if the ravens ever leave the Tower of London, the White Tower would fall and "a terrible disaster" would befall England. With the then-recent civil war no doubt uppermost in his mind, he decided not to take the chance, and had them put back, decreeing that at least six ravens should be kept at the Tower at all times. ”

“ In 1540, King Henry VIII granted a charter giving the Abbey cathedral status until 1550, thereby sparing it from the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The expression "robbing Peter to pay Paul" is believed to arise from this period when money meant for the Abbey, which was dedicated to St Peter, was diverted to the treasury of St Pauls Cathedral. ”

“ The statue is generally believed to depict Eros, but is in fact an image of his twin brother, Anteros. It was originally sited in the centre of the Circus, but was moved to the south-western side after World War II. It was the first statue in the world to be cast in aluminium. ”