Top 5 Victorian attractions in London
- Tower Bridge. Tower Bridge Road, London. Construction started on this famous bridge in 1886 in what was one of the most complex architectural projects of the Victorian era.
- Sherlock Holmes Museum. Baker Street, London.
- Museum of London. London Wall, London.
What was London like in Victorian era?
In the 19th century, London was the capital of the largest empire the world had ever known — and it was infamously filthy. It had choking, sooty fogs; the Thames River was thick with human sewage; and the streets were covered with mud.
What was Victorian London known for?
The period saw the British Empire grow to become the first global industrial power, producing much of the world’s coal, iron, steel and textiles. The Victorian era saw revolutionary breakthroughs in the arts and sciences, which shaped the world as we know it today.
How would you describe Victorian London?
The Victorian city of London was a city of startling contrasts. New building and affluent development went hand in hand with horribly overcrowded slums where people lived in the worst conditions imaginable. The population surged during the 19th century, from about 1 million in 1800 to over 6 million a century later.
Why should people visit Victorian London?
London has plenty of famous throwbacks to the Victorian era, from world-class museums to stunning landmarks. But there are also many less well-known attractions to discover in the city, like shopping arcades, pie-and-mash joints, cemeteries and pleasure gardens.
What would Victorian London smell like?
The smell of human waste and industrial effluent hung over Victorian London. For centuries the River Thames had been used as a dumping ground for the capital’s waste and as the population grew, so did the problem.
Did you know facts about Victorian London?
10 Facts About Victorian London
- Victorians wore black so it wouldn’t show dirt.
- Londoners regularly walked into the Thames by mistake.
- London was once the biggest city in the world.
- The Great Stink.
- Photos of the dead were commonplace.
- Arsenic was the must-have beauty product.
- The Mines Act came into force.
- Big Ben was built.
What are five interesting facts about the Victorians?
10 Interesting facts about the Victorian Era
- They take mourning seriously.
- Hypnotism, divination and spiritualism were huge.
- Taxidermy was also huge in the Victorian Era.
- Victorians wore a lot of black.
- Freakshows were also big in the Victorian Era.
How to experience Victorian London?
5 Ways to Discover Victorian London
- Ragged School Museum, 46-50 Copperfield Rd, London E3 4RR.
- London Transport Museum, Covent Garden Piazza, London WC2E 7BB.
- Florence Nightingale Museum, 2 Lambeth Palace Road, London SE1 7EW.
- Geffrye Museum, 136 Kingsland Road, London E2 8EA.
What is the oldest thing in London?
Ancient History: The Oldest Landmarks in London
- The London Wall – 2nd / 3rd Century AD.
- The Tower of London – 1078 AD.
- Westminster Palace – 1097 AD.
- Nelson’s Column – 1843.
How would you describe Victorian style?
Victorian-style homes became popular during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901) and are characterized by Gothic influences and intricately designed woodwork. These homes often have pitched roofs, wraparound front porches, cylindrical turrets, and roof towers.
What are 3 characteristics of the Victorian age in Britain?
Victorian era, in British history, the period between approximately 1820 and 1914, corresponding roughly but not exactly to the period of Queen Victoria’s reign (1837–1901) and characterized by a class-based society, a growing number of people able to vote, a growing state and economy, and Britain’s status as the most
What was Victorian London like for the poor?
Poor people – even children – had to work hard in factories, mines or workhouses. They didn’t get paid very much money. By the end of the Victorian era, all children could go to school for free. Victorian schools were very strict – your teacher might even beat you if you didn’t obey the rules.
What makes Victorian style unique?
This style was characterized by symmetry, Renaissance revival style interiors, many small windows, and limited ornamentation. Victorian architecture rejected the subtle styles of the past in favor of a style that reflected the prosperity of certain social classes.
Are there any Victorians still alive?
Britain’s oldest person and last Victorian has died at the age of 114. Ethel Lang was believed to be the last person living in the UK who was born in the reign of Queen Victoria.
Is Victoria a good area in London?
Victoria is as safe as anywhere in Zone 1 but it is not especially exciting in terms of places to eat and drink and places to go at night. When I stayed there I usually went to other areas to eat. 8.
Did the Victorians drink water?
When Victorian towns did provide piped water, they often eschewed filtration in favour of unpolluted water from upland sources. By 1870, only three of England’s largest twenty cities had a filtered water supply, and these were all drawn from polluted river sources.
Why was Victorian London so foggy?
London’s fogs mostly resulted from the gritty smoke of domestic coal fires and “the noxious emissions of factory chimneys,” coupled with the right atmospheric wet and stillness.
What did the Victorians sniff?
There was laudanum for dysentery, chlorodyne for coughs and colds, and camphorated tincture of opium for asthma.
What are 3 interesting facts about London?
20 Interesting History Facts About London
- Over 300 languages are spoken in London.
- It is not illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament.
- Police never caught Jack the Ripper.
- The Great Plague killed a third of Europe’s population.
- The Tower of London houses six ravens.
- The London Underground could have been water-based.
Did Victorian London have trains?
In 1870, 423 million passengers travelled on 16,000 miles of track, and by the end of Queen Victoria’s reign over 1100 million passengers were using trains. The railway system offered new chances for travel, holidays, transporting goods, developing businesses and the growth of towns and cities.