Bizarre London

A charming gift book of the strangest and most intriguing stories of London.

A fascinating tour of London's strangest and most intriguing locations. Ranging from architectural evidence of past incidents and stories of life beneath the city, to anecdotes of magic, mystery, and murder, this is a perfect companion for anyone curious about the captivating capital. Learn why London buses are red, the city’s cabbie slang, its weirdest wills, and the maddest buildings never built. Take a trip around one of the world’s most beloved cities and discover the bizarre history of its pubs, graveyards, tube stations, parks, and palaces—it’s London as you’ve never seen it before.

Bizarre London includes: A Museum of Magical Curiosities; The City's Lost Tunnels and Citadels; The Ghost of a She-Wolf; The Bawdy House Riots; The Story of “Jack the Stripper”; The Atmospheric Railway; The Thames Ringway Bicycle Race; A Banker Hanged at Newgate; The Crossdressing Highwayman; Bluebottles, Rozzers and Woodentops; The Hidden Statue of a Beaver; The “Belgravia of Death”; Whitehall’s Licensed Brothel; Pin-Makers, Mole-Takers and Rat Catchers; Drinking in “The Bucket of Blood”; and London's Most Haunted House.

All of London is here!

 David Long is the author of award-winning nonfiction books for adults and children that have been translated into more than a dozen languages. He lives in Suffolk, England.

"Here's yet another book revealing the capital's "secrets'" and "surprises." But it would be churlish to discount this new compendium of unusual London tales . . . David Long's an old-hand at putting books like this together, and he always digs up exquisite truffles to go with the hoary turnips. The format flits whimsically between novelty lists ("London's weirdest wills." "London's maddest buildings never built," "London cabbie slang" . . . ), and mini-essays wriggling with anecdote ("Why are London buses red?", "London's famous motoring firsts" . . . ). In a market niche that's now as crowded as the 18:22 to Reading, Bizarre London pummels its bantamweight rivals with knockout clouts of trivia that even this weary correspondent hadn't encountered before."
—The Londonist