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490 London Trivia Questions, Answers, and Fun Facts

How much do you know about London? This category is for trivia questions and answers related to London (Geography). Each one is filled with fun facts and interesting information.
Related Questions & Answers:   England - General    England (Cricket)  
1 Sometimes referred to as 'Old Father' which river flows through London?
Answer: Thames

The Thames is the longest river in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. In the past it was important for trade, but now it is mainly used for sightseeing boats and rowing.
    Your options: [ Severn ] [ Tyne ] [ Medway ] [ Thames ]
  From Quiz: London
2 There is a theory that the London street on which the Bank of England is situated is named after the utensils used by the Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors which is also close by. What is the name of the street?
Answer: Threadneedle Street

The Bank of England is often referred to as "The Old Lady of Threadneedle Street" as a result of its situation on there.

There are many other theories about the street's name including that it may be derived from the Anglo-Saxon word "thread", meaning "to prosper", or that it was once named "Three Needle Street" after the signs that tailors of the Middle Ages displayed to attract business.
    Your options: [ Threadneedle Street ] [ Cottonmill Alley ] [ Trousers Lane ] [ CashCotton Street ]
  From Quiz: The Streets of London
3 The Great Fire of London started in Pudding Lane on Sunday 2nd September, 1666. What is the name of the 202 feet high memorial which was erected to commemorate the fire, that is situated at the junction of Fish Street Hill and Monument Street?
Answer: The Monument

The Monument was designed by Robert Hooke and Christopher Wren between 1671 and 1677. It is a Doric column with 311 steps which lead to a viewing platform at the top. A flaming urn made from copper sits atop the viewing platform which signifies the Great Fire. The Monument is exactly 202 feet high and is situated 202 feet from where the fire started in Pudding Lane.
    Your options: [ The Monument ] [ Nelson's Column ] [ Fish Street Tower ] [ Pudding Lane Cenotaph ]
  From Quiz: Down Memory Lane
4 Trafalgar Square is the name, but why is it called this?
Answer: To commemorate the Battle of Trafalgar

The square was originally to be called King William the Fourth's Square. The name Trafalgar Square was suggested by George Ledwell Taylor, an architect and landowner who lived in London, after Nelson's famous naval victory at Cape Trafalgar.
  From Quiz: Trafalgar Square
5 In which part of London is Croydon situated?
Answer: South

Croydon is the outermost southerly borough of London. To its west lies the borough of Sutton and to the east lies the borough of Bromley. By 2007, Croydon was one of the most populated of the thirty-two London boroughs.

The centre of Croydon is about ten miles, from the centre of London, which is standardized as being Charing Cross in the borough of Westminster.
    Your options: [ South ] [ West ] [ North ] [ East ]
  From Quiz: The London Borough of Croydon
6 Who was the designer of the modern Battersea Bridge, which commenced operation in 1890? He is perhaps more famous for the design and construction of a proper sewage system in London.
Answer: Sir Joseph Bazalgette

Londoners suffered from poor hygiene and even frequent outbreaks of cholera as late as the second half of the 19th century. Bazalgette designed a scheme of huge underground sewers to take waste away from Central London and dump it into the Thames further downstream.

The waste, of course, now gets reprocessed rather than dumped straight into the river, and the Thames is these days extremely clean. Some of the main sewers run underneath Chelsea, Albert and Victoria Embankments.
    Your options: [ Isambard Kingdom Brunel ] [ Sir Giles Scott ] [ Rowland Ordish ] [ Sir Joseph Bazalgette ]
  From Quiz: London River Crossings
7 In England, government business is conducted in the Houses of Parliament, but in which chamber of the building do Members of Parliament meet to conduct daily business?
Answer: House of Commons

Properly known as the Palace of Westminster, the Houses of Parliament stand on the north bank of the River Thames. The modern building dates back to the 19th century. However, there are older parts that have survived fires and the ravages of time, such as Westminster Hall, which is attached to the western end of the main building and is used for ceremonial occasions. The late Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, lay in state therein after her death in 2002.
    Your options: [ Privy Council ] [ House of Lords ] [ House of Commons ] [ Parliamentary Chamber ]
  From Quiz: All About London, England
8 What is a more common name for the "All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club"?
Answer: Wimbledon

The world's premier tennis tournament takes place here each summer amid the "strawberries and cream".
  From Quiz: Around London
9 Which king used to keep crocodiles and an elephant in St James' Park?
Answer: James I

You won't find an elephant in the park today, but it's still a home to over 1,000 birds and waterfoul. The best known are probably pelicans living on Duck Island.
    Your options: [ Charles II ] [ James II ] [ James I ] [ Charles I ]
  From Quiz: Fun Facts on London
10 At Kings Cross we board the train that is going south on the Piccadilly Line. We need to get off at the third stop. Where are we? (It is the stop before Leicester Square.)
Answer: Covent Garden

Covent Garden is full of excellent restaurants and shops. The shopping opportunities range from designers like Paul Smith to craftwork shops in the Market Place. This is always a bustling place full of tourists, who often stop to watch the street performers. The London Transport Museum can also be found here.
  From Quiz: Mystery Tour of London
11 Where in central London is the Garrick Theatre?
Answer: Charing Cross Road

The theatre was named after 18th century actor David Garrick. It was designed by Walter Emden and C.J.Phipps and opened 24th April 1889.
  From Quiz: Central London
12 What is the name of London's most complete park, with playground, gardens, watersports, picnic area, etc... ?
Answer: Regents Park

Designed by John Nash in the early 1800s, Regents Park was originally meant to be the grounds for a country villa for the prince regent. He did not build a villa on this location, and Regents Park was opened to the public in 1838.
  From Quiz: Sights Of London
13 A is for a street in the St John's Wood area, famous for its recording studios. What is its name?
Answer: Abbey Road

The studios at 3 Abbey Road, NW8 are said to be the oldest purpose-built recording studios in the world, and were opened in 1928 by Sir Edward Elgar. Thousands of musicians have recorded all kinds of music there, but of course it is best known as the venue for the Beatles' 1969 album. The road is so called because it runs close to the site of the former Kilburn Abbey (more correctly called Kilburn Priory).
  From Quiz: London Alphabeticals No 2
14 What is the post code for Shepherd's Bush?
Answer: W12

W4 is Chiswick. W6 is Hammersmith. W11 is Notting Hill.
  From Quiz: Shepherd's Bush
15 London was the first city in the western world to reach a population of a million. In what year did the census record a population of over a million?
Answer: 1811

London remained the largest city in the world until Tokyo overtook it in 1957. New York has never been the largest city in the world.
  From Quiz: Interesting Facts About London
16 What role does Kasper the wooden cat occupy at the London Savoy Hotel?
Answer: he dines with guests

Whenever a party of thirteen dinner guests are booked into the hotel Kasper joins them. This dates back to 1898 when the host of a party of thirteen was killed shortly after the dinner party was held. The superstition that it's unlucky to have thirteen at dinner is thought to date back to the Last Supper.
  From Quiz: Another Little Look at London History
17 Which famous London landmark marks the place of Tyburn Gallows, where London's public executions took place for over 450 years?
Answer: Marble Arch

These gallows, known as the Tyburn Tree, were where London's public executions took place for over 450 years, until around 1780 when public executions were moved to Newgate Prison. In total, 50,000 people lost their lives to the Tyburn Gallows and this often drew massive crowds.
    Your options: [ St. Paul's Cathedral ] [ Big Ben ] [ Marble Arch ] [ The London Eye ]
  From Quiz: London - Past and Present
18 The Romans called the London area Londinium, where does this name stem from?
Answer: An earlier name given to the area by the Celts.

The earlier name was Londinion although opinion is mixed as to whether there was any significant pre-Roman settlement in the area.
  From Quiz: London: 2000 Years of History
19 Who in London wears a bobbing hat?
Answer: the fish porters at Billingsgate

Billingsgate porters wear a kind of wooden hats which allow them to transport unwieldy crates of fish. The police are called Bobbies after Sir Robert Peel, the man who 'invented' them. The Yeomen warders have blue, white and red roses as a decoration of their hats. The Ladies at Ascot...well their hats are phenomenal.
  From Quiz: London For Expert Visitors
20 Why is the Queen's London residence called Buckingham Palace rather than e.g. Windsor Palace?
Answer: the present palace once was the Duke of Buckingham's mansion

Rather than building a new palace, buying and extending an existing building was preferred. As a Princess, Queen Victoria was Duchess of Lancaster,not of Buckingham.
  From Quiz: London For Visitors
21 Where is 'Little Ben'?
Answer: Junction of Victoria St and Vauxhall Bridge Rd

Little Ben stands at the junction of Victoria St and Vauxhall Bridge Rd, across from the Victoria Palace Theatre...
  From Quiz: When In London
22 Where did Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother live in London?
Answer: Clarence House

The Queen Mother lived at Clarence House. Kensington Palace and St James Palace have been the London homes of the late Princess Margaret and the Prince of Wales (and other members of the royal family). Lancaster House is not a royal residence although it is next door to Clarence House.
  From Quiz: London Life
23 The Chelsea, Albert and Battersea are all types of what?
Answer: bridge

'Knowledge Boys' i.e. aspiring London Cabbies, remember the order of the bridges with the mnemonic C.A.B.
  From Quiz: Maybe It's Because I'm a Londoner ...
24 What industry was traditionally based around Fleet Street?
Answer: Journalism

In fact now most of the UK's newspapers have moved east to Docklands, but 'Fleet Street' in central London is still used as a synonym for the national Press.
  From Quiz: London Streets and Their Trades
25 What is the area telephone code for London?
Answer: 020

All of London used to be 01 then inner became 071, outer 081 then these changed to 0171 and 0181. Now inner London is 020 with the first number of the eight digit phone number being 7, and outer London is 020 with the first number of the eight digit phone number being 8. It's all because of the huge expansion in demand for phones, faxes, modems, etc.
  From Quiz: Life in London
26 In which part of London is the borough of Islington?
Answer: North

Islington is a North London borough, central Islington has the N1 postcode
    Your options: [ South ] [ North ] [ East ] [ West ]
  From Quiz: London Borough of Islington
27 What is the popular name of the statue in the middle of Piccadilly circus?
Answer: Eros

The actual name of this statue is 'The Angel of Christian Charity'. It was built in tribute to Lord Shaftesbury.
  From Quiz: London Trivia 4
28 Traditionally what color are most London cabs?
Answer: black

The traditional London cab is black and is very roomy with a high roof.
  From Quiz: Still More about London
29 Who was the architect of St. Paul's Cathedral?
Answer: Sir Christopher Wren

The old Saint Paul's was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in September 1666.
  From Quiz: More London Trivia
30 What is the London underground railway system known as?
Answer: the tube
  From Quiz: London Trivia
31 There is a big clock tower on the Houses of Parliament building. What is the name of the bell in the clock?
Answer: Big Ben

Most people call the clock tower 'Big Ben' but it is actually the name of the bell itself. Much trouble has been had over the years with cracks in the bell. In 2017 it fell silent for a while so that renovations could be carried out on the whole tower.
  From Quiz: London
32 On which London street might you have once bought chickens and turkeys?
Answer: Poultry

It is thought that the street was named in the fifteenth century for the trade that took place there - namely the sale of poultry. Other roads nearby include Milk Street and Bread Street, and all are close to "Cheapside", which means "market-place" in Old English.
    Your options: [ Poultry ] [ Turks Lane ] [ Chick Street ] [ Fowler ]
  From Quiz: The Streets of London
33 Which railway terminus stands on the south side of the Strand near its western end?
Answer: Charing Cross

Charing Cross Station was opened in 1864 on the site of a former market. Today, in 2013, it is a terminus for the South Eastern and Southern train companies, with suburban and main lines into Kent, Surrey and Sussex. The passenger throughput is estimated at about 100,000 per day.

The monument in the forecourt is a nineteenth-century reproduction of the original Charing Cross, erected by King Edward I to mark the last resting place of his queen's funeral cortège on its journey from Nottinghamshire to Westminster Abbey. The original cross, demolished in 1647, stood where the equestrian statue of Charles I can now be seen at the junction of Whitehall and Trafalgar Square.
    Your options: [ Charing Cross ] [ Waterloo ] [ Victoria ] [ King's Cross ]
  From Quiz: Let's All Go Down The Strand
34 Number 10 Downing Street in London was initially three houses knocked into one. A townhouse, a cottage and which other property were combined to make the official residence of the British Prime Minister?
Answer: The House at the Back

Sir George Downing bought some land in 1684 and developed a row of 15 townhouses. These townhouses were designed by Sir Christopher Wren. The Countess of Lichfield lived in a nearby mansion which bordered St. James's Park. The mansion, known as "The House at the Back", was combined with one of the townhouses and another cottage to become what we know today as 10 Downing Street. The British Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer both have their official residence in Downing Street, London.
    Your options: [ The House at the Back ] [ Palace Gate ] [ Kensington House ] [ Downing Bank ]
  From Quiz: Down Memory Lane
35 Nelson's statue stands atop a column surveying the world below, but approximately how far off the ground is he?
Answer: 150 feet

The statue of Horatio Nelson is approximately 18 feet tall and stands on top of a column which is approximately 150 feet high. The actual total height of the monument is 169 feet 5 3/4 inches as measured by laser. (Source: emporis.com)

Whilst it is commonly thought by most people that Nelson was an admiral, the highest military rank he reached was Admiral in the White, or a Vice Admiral under the command of the Admiral in the Red (or Admiral of the Fleet).
  From Quiz: Trafalgar Square
36 What is the name of Croydon in the Domesday Book?
Answer: Crogdene

It is generally accepted that the name Croydon comes from Crogdene, meaning "Valley of Saffron". It was likely named by the Saxons when they settled there in the eighth century.
  From Quiz: The London Borough of Croydon
37 Designed by Sir Alexander Binnie and opened in 1902, which tunnel connects from roughly where the old tea clipper Cutty Sark is stationed (the south side) to Island Gardens on the southern tip of the Isle of Dogs (the north side)?
Answer: Greenwich Foot Tunnel

This is a great way of crossing the Thames and also a great way of appreciating the magnificent Greenwich vista from the North Bank. Canalaletto, the 18th century Venetian painter, had a famous painting looking back at Greenwich from the North Bank.

There are 100 steps on the Greenwich (south) side, but only 88 on the Isle of Dogs (north side). Since it is officially classified as a highway, it is open 24 hours a day.
    Your options: [ Blackwall Tunnel ] [ Thames Tunnel ] [ Rotherhithe Tunnel ] [ Greenwich Foot Tunnel ]
  From Quiz: London River Crossings
38 The Tower of London has been used for many purposes in its history. These include use as a Royal Residence, a fortress and a jail. It is also home to which breed of bird that wanders around the confines of the Tower?
Answer: Raven

Ravens have been living within the Tower of London walls for centuries. Legend has it that if the ravens ever left, the monarchy and the kingdom would fall! The birds have their wings clipped to prevent this from happening. In 2009, there were ten ravens in residence at the Tower, all of which were known by name to the Yeoman Warders (Beefeaters).
    Your options: [ Blackbird ] [ Jackdaw ] [ Raven ] [ Crow ]
  From Quiz: All About London, England
39 What fashionable London suburb was home to John Keats, John Constable, and Elizabeth Taylor?
Answer: Hampstead

Formerly a destination outside London famous for its medicinal waters, it now is an eclectic and artsy Georgian suburb with character.
  From Quiz: Around London
40 Now, we take a walk from Kings Cross to Euston Station, where we take the Northern Line Bank one stop north. Where are we?
Answer: Mornington Crescent

Mornington Crescent tube station has a game named after it. The game was created by Geoffrey Perkins and involves players announcing the names of London tube stations, the winner being the one who announced Mornington Crescent!
  From Quiz: Mystery Tour of London
The rest of the questions and answers can be found in our quizzes here:
London Quizzes