London is not just the capital of the United Kingdom. It is also one of the largest and oldest cities in the world. Founded by the Romans in AD 60, the city has a legendary history filled with countless stories of different rulers, people and majestic buildings. There are so many fun facts about London that you will encounter when exploring here. Whether it’s historical events, unique cultural elements or quirky titbits, these facts can help you learn what makes the capital so special. This is an opportunity for you to connect with people from all walks of life and make your learning journey even more exciting! Join us at English Path as we begin to uncover ten interesting facts about London and what makes it an extraordinary place to start your English learning journey. 

London has a long, rich, and, at times, very complicated history that, due to various reasons, has escaped the limelight. Here are some lesser-known historical facts about London you probably didn’t know: 

1. London was once ruled by the Romans 

Romans did not just discover London. They also marched their armies and conquered Britain and made it a province in AD 43 under the command of Emperor Claudius, a Roman emperor (41–54 CE). During their time, London was called Londinium. 

2. The City of London is the smallest city in England 

London might be the largest city in England and the UK, but the City of London is only a ceremonial county, a local government district and just a small part of what we know as Greater London. It covers an area of just 1.12 square miles or 2.90 square kilometres.

3. The world's first traffic light was installed in London 

In 1868, right outside the House of Commons (a place where elected representatives or members meet), the world's very first traffic light was installed. It was a very innovative idea at that time; sadly, it exploded the following year and injured the policeman who was in charge of operating it. 

4. Cleopatra's Needle was brought to London from Egypt 

The ancient Egyptian obelisk, Cleopatra's Needle, was gifted to Britain by the Sultan of Egypt and Sudan in 1878. Even today, it stands proudly on the Victoria Embankment. The obelisk weighes over 200 tons and was transported via a special iron cylinder ship. 

5. London has four UNESCO heritage sites 

London has several unique archaeological buildings and four of them have been recognised as UNESCO heritage sites because of their Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) and international significance. These distinguished sites are: 

• Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey, including St Margaret’s Church 
• Tower of London 
• Maritime Greenwich 
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 

When it comes it culture, London is one of the most diverse cities in the world. People have migrated here from all over the world, and in 2023, it welcomed more than 20.3 million international visitors. While living in London, you will be exposed to numerous cultural elements. Let's look at some of those: 

1. More than 300 languages are spoken in London 

English might be the de facto official language of the UK, but in London, more than 300 languages are spoken by its 8.8 million residents. As one of the most diverse cities in the world, it's no surprise that people from all walks of life call it home and speak their native tongues. Walking through London, you might hear English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Hindi, Gujarati, Bengali, Punjabi, Hokkien and many more! 

2. There are 139 museums in London! 

London is home to some of the best museums in the world. From historical to art and science and fashion museums, there are more than 139 museums for you to explore. Some of the famous museums you must visit are: 

• Natural History Museum 
• Museum of London 
• Victoria & Albert Museum 
• Science Museum 
• National Gallery London 
• Sherlock Holmes Museum 
• Charles Dickens Museum 

3. The iconic red buses in London weren’t always red 

If you’ve ever come across the picture of streets in London, you will have seen double-decker red-coloured buses. In the past, however, they were painted in different colours to showcase the different routes they travelled. It was not until 1907 that the London company General Omnibus decided to paint all its buses red to distinguish them from their competitors. 

4. London has hosted the Olympic Games three times 

The Olympic Games are a leading sporting event, including 40 sports such as swimming, water polo, shooting, acrobatic gymnastics, fencing, rod, rugby, football, golf, hockey, baseball, badminton and cricket, to name a few. London has hosted this great sporting event three times: in 1908, 1948 and 2012. It's the only city in the world that's ever done that. 

5. The famous red telephone boxes are getting a makeover 

The famous red phone boxes or telephone kiosks were designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott and debuted in the capital in 1926. As they were no longer used by the public, having been replaced by modern technology, these booths are being transformed into something everyone can enjoy. Where there once was a phone, now you will find mini-libraries, defibrillator stations, cafes, and even solar charging stations for your mobile phone! 

London is full of surprising and amusing titbits. Some other fun facts about London are: 

• London is home to some of the most famous literary giants, including Charles Dickens, Virginia Woolf, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Mary Shelley, Elizabeth Bowen, George Eliot and many more!  
• Six underground stations are named after pubs! They are Angel, Maida Vale Elephant and Castle, Royal Oak, Manor House and Swiss Cottage.  
• Opened in 1863, London Underground is the oldest subway in the world and in 1890, it became the world's first metro system. 
• There has been a rumour circulating for decades that the Tower Bridge of London is haunted. Tourists from all around the world come to catch sight of the alleged British police bobby who is supposed to be patrolling the bridge and a woman dressed in black roaming the night. 

When it comes to learning English, London offers a unique set of advantages. With English as the primary mode of communication between people of different backgrounds, you will be exposed to the language every day and learn various British slang, dialects and accents. 

You can interact with people from all over the world and learn about British customs and cultures. Enrolling in an English language school like English Path will provide you with the opportunity to immerse yourself in the language and practise in real-life situations.   

We offer a variety of English courses like General English, IELTS Preparation, Business English, CELTA and professional certificates to help you improve your language skills. Check out our Greenford and Canary Wharf campuses in London to start your language journey!