London knows how to surprise you when you visit it. You can go around the city, and the next day discovers something new: a secret place, an original park, an unusual sculpture and lot more. And all this is due to the rich history and turbulent modernity: artists, architects, and designers have always adored London. Today, we will reveal some of the secrets of the British capital! When selling London to tourists, advise them to find the following:
“Rolling Bridge” Over the Paddington Canal:
The Rolling Bridge is a work of British designer Thomas Hibiscus. In the afternoon, it is the most common bridge, and every Friday at midnight it twists, taking an octagonal shape.
Wilton Music Hall:
It is believed that this is the oldest music hall in the world. The institution was first opened in 1743, then it became a pub. But from a circle of ale to music – one step, therefore in the beginning of the 19th century the first concerts were held here. Musical evenings in the Wilton Music Hall are organized to this day.
Seven Noses of Soho:
Seven Soho noses appeared in London in 1997 with the light hand of the artist Rick Buckley. It is said that he created about 35 noses, but only seven (according to another version – ten) “caught on”. Persistent noses grew into their own legends. So, it is believed that the nose inside the Arch of the Admiralty is a mockery of Napoleon.
Ears of Covent Garden:
In Covent Garden, there are two ears on Floral Street, and a few more – somewhere in other parts of London.
Water column of John Snow:
Almost immediately after Oxford Street, on Brodwick Street, there is a water column of Dr. John Snow. As is known, in the middle of the 19th century a cholera epidemic broke out in London, and within a few months 500 people died from it. John Snow realized that the source of the infection was a water column, and so the focus of the epidemic was extinguished.
Window of the Church of St. Martin in Trafalgar Square:
Among the parishioners of the church of St. Martin – “that in the fields” – the British royal family, but this is not the only thing that it is interesting. Pay attention to the window created by Iranian artist Shiraze Hoshiari and architect Pip Horn: a drop fell on him. Their work is based on the desire to show how water reflects and changes images.
The Smallest Police Station:
In Trafalgar Square is another amazing place – a tiny police station. It was built in the beginning of the 19th century so that the policeman could observe the order during marches and protests. Today, the premises are used for storage.
Little Compton Street (Lost street):
Earlier, Little Compton connected Old Compton Street / Charing Cross Road with New Compton Street. Then it was built up. But if you stand over the lattice at the yellow sign and look down, you can see old street signs of the Victorian era and brickwork.
London “space aliens”:
The “eight-bit” aliens are the work of a French artist who created under the pseudonym Invader. His “space aliens” are scattered here and there, in London, Hong Kong and Paris.
The Nude Ladies of York House, Tuikenem:
Tuikenem is known primarily due to rugby and the waterfront, but its “hidden pearl” is York House. Little is known about the origin of naked women: it is a sculptural ensemble of eight white marble Oceanids, which, apparently, came to London from Italy at the end of the 19th century.
