Interesting Facts About London

Many people arrive into London Gatwick when they visit the UK capital. Gatwick airport transfers can take you straight into the city to your accommodation, from where you can begin to explore. But as you're driving in on the Gatwick airport transfers, contemplate how much you actually know about the city itself. Here are some interesting facts that may give you an insight.

Did You Know?

In 2013 London was ranked the highest in the World City Millionaire Rankings; the statistic mean there were more multi millionaires in London than in the whole of France. It is third in the world for the number of millionaires and also third in the world for the number of billionaires.

The Monument commemorated the Great Fire of London and is the tallest freestanding column in the world. Rising 62m it is also located 62m away from where the fire started in Pudding Lane at a bakery.

St Paul’s Cathedral was the tallest building in London until the 1960s, and is the second largest church in the UK after Liverpool Cathedral. The stunning dome is the third largest in the world and inside is Europe’s largest crypt. Sir Christopher Wren, JMW Turner and the Duke of Wellington are among the famous names buried here.

In 1694, the Bank of England became the first privately owned national bank in the world.

The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers was formed in 1631 by means of a Royal Charter and today is the world’s oldest horological business, with the oldest collection of clocks and watches.

Depending on where you are staying in London, your Gatwick airport transfers could take you past the Bethlehem Royal Hospital, which is the world’s oldest hospital specialising in mental health. Originally set up in 1247, the building moved to South London and is now the Imperial War museum. The word ‘bedlam’ comes from the original name of the hospital.

If you arrive on one of the Gatwick airport transfers at night you may take notice of the street lighting, which is very different to how it used to look. London was the world’s first city to install public street lighting with gas, the first instance of which was in Pall Mall.

A city of many firsts, London lays claim to the world’s oldest public zoo, first underground public lavatory, and the world’s first deep-level underground railway. In short the UK capital is a truly fascinating city in so many obvious and less-obvious ways. It deserves at the very least a few days' exploration, and longer if you have the time.

Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct. If you’re looking for Gatwick airport transfers, Shuttle Direct provide pre-booked shuttles to major destinations all over Europe. Wherever you travel, Shuttle Direct can make sure that you don’t miss your car on your holiday abroad.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.