The first nude statue in London was erected in the South-East corner of Hyde Park in 1822. After the pleas from 'country women' a fig leaf was later added to save their blushes.
Until 1993 the location of Telecom Tower was an official secret, having or taking any photos of the tower was a breach of the Official Secrets Act, it was even omitted from all maps.
Unsold pigs were given to St. Anthony's hospital from this market in the 12th Century. When seen wondering the streets you were obliged to feed them. They grew to great sizes and were worth a fortune
At 1.5 acres Kensington Roof gardens is the largest roof garden in the whole of Europe. The gardens have been owned by Richard Branson's Virgin group since 1981.
Named after hotelier Cesar Ritz, who also managed The Savoy Hotel, the Ritz was the first hotel in London to have en-suite rooms, it was also the first steel framed building in England.
A poster displayed at this cinema for a showing of the film 'The Caine Mutiny' was the inspiration for Maurice Micklewhite changing his name to Michael Caine.
Originally named Old Jerusalem, this pub was renamed after Richard, the local dandy and warehouse owner, who became famous for refusing to tidy up after his fiancee died on the eve of their wedding.
In 200AD the London Wall was one of the largest construction projects carried out in Roman Britain. It would have required 1,300 barge journeys to transport the 85,000 tons of stone from Kent.
Standing at 310m high, the Shard will own the title of the EU's tallest building when completed in 2012. In 1098 the White Tower was named Britain's tallest building standing at a mere 27m tall.
The site of the famous Gherkin was formerly occupied by the Baltic Exchange, a historic building which was damaged by an IRA bomb in 1992.
From 1235 until 1835, the monarch’s personal zoo was kept at the Tower, and it included many exotic animals given as presents by other monarchs, including polar bears, leopards and elephants.
Walter Hammerton opened a ferry service here in 1909, but was taken to court by owners of the Twickenham ferry. It became a cause célèbre, reaching the House of Lords, who in 1915 backed Hammerton.
To mark the 50th birthday of the Royal Air Force in 1968, Flight Lt. Allan Pollock flew his Hawker jet under the walkway of Tower Bridge. This unauthorised stunt won him a court martial.
![Vx [vee]{cross} is one of Londontown.](https://fastly.4sqi.net/img/general/699x268/37991_Dsiw6NWirqZkpWTg13nBZ6CK6M1QPN-mr8CtrZigvrE.jpg)
