City of London Police

The Thin Red Line: Why the City of London Has Its Own Police Force

When people think of policing in London, they almost always picture Scotland Yard and the Metropolitan Police. But if you step inside the famous "Square Mile", the historic financial heart of London, you are entering the jurisdiction of a completely different, fiercely independent force: The City of London Police.

Despite patrolling an area of just over one square mile, this tiny force has a massive history. From medieval night watches to the hunt for Jack the Ripper, this is how they came to be, and why they remain one of the most unique police forces in the world.

Keeping the Watch: The Origins

Before organised police forces existed, medieval London relied on the "Ward Watch." Created in the 1200s, this was a system of day constables and night watchmen who patrolled the city walls and gated entries.

"What is the oldest object that you can touch, on the streets of London?"

There are many ancient objects that you can see and touch in London, from the Needle of Thutmose III, mistakenly called 'Cleopatra's Needle', to the Cuneiform tablet in the St Vedast-alias-Foster Garden.

However, there is something far, far older, hidden in plain sight, that may surprise you.

If you visit the area of St Martin-in-the-Fields and head along Adelaide Street, towards Duncannon Street, you will discover a sculpture entitled 'A Conversation with Oscar Wilde'.

This sculpture was created by the artist Maggi Hambling, and was unveiled in 1998. Shaped like a coffin, it has a bust of Oscar Wilde, with a hand holding a cigarette, rising up out of the head end. At the foot end it is inscribed with the words, "We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars", which is taken from his play 'Lady Windermere's Fan'.

The sculpture was deliberately designed to be an interactive bench, where people can sit and 'chat' with Oscar Wilde.

Many mistakenly think that the piece is made from granite, but they are wrong. It is actually made from metamorphic rock, which is formed in the crust of the Earth. The lines throughout the sculpture show that this compressed rock is over three billion years old.

London's City Farms

When many people think of London, they think of the historic buildings, the Roman walls, the skyscrapers of the City of London, the River Thames and the overcrowded tourist destinations. 

What many fail to appreciate is that 49% of London is green space, with that percentage set to rise as new buildings and developments are required to include green spaces within their plans.

There are other green spaces, within London, that make for the perfect escape for those with families, too. Many are set close to major population centres, or are sandwiched between railway lines, while a few are on the outskirts. I am talking about London's City Farms.

There are well over a dozen city farms, spread across London, all of varying sizes, offering the chance to get up close and personal with farm animals. 

Some have rare breeds, while others include rescue centres. Others specialise in reptiles and arachnids, or, due to a lack of space, keep smaller animals, like ferrets, guinea pigs and rabbits.

Together these working city farms, many of which are free to visit, offer educational activities, petting areas, horse riding, animal adoption and much more.

I have listed some of these city farms below, with the address, a link to the website and basic information.

Belmont Farm, The Ridgeway, London NW7 1QT: Belmont Farm

Animals: Cattle, goats, alpacas, rabbits, poultry, waterfowl, ponies, donkeys, pigs, sheep and more

Services: Farm, soft play, toilets, cafe

Opening times: Daily

Price: Varies depending on age (concessions available)

Nunhead Cemetery (All Saints' Cemetery)

All Saints' Cemetery opened 1840, in the London Borough of Southwark, and was the sixth of the eight private garden cemeteries to open.

Built on a hill, with views over London, it was designed by architect James Bunstone Bunning, who had replaced Stephen Geary.

In 1976 it was purchased after it was allowed to fall into neglect by its owners United Cemeteries Limited, who were looking to build on some of the land.

It is still in operation.

Nunhead Cemetery is perhaps the least known of the Victorian Garden Cemeteries of London. Consecrated in 1840, it is one of the magnificent eight garden cemeteries established in a ring around what was the outskirts of London.

Magnificent monuments, erected in memory of the most eminent citizens of the day, contrast starkly with the small, simple headstones marking common, or public, burials. 

Walking alone: Baker Street to Paddington... and beyond

Thursday May 28, 2026

Sunny with a high of 30°C (86°F).

Having a few days away from work it was obvious that I would end up going to London, at some point. The problem that I had was where to go.

I toyed with the idea of starting in East Ham and heading south to the Royal Docks, as there are some sites that I was interested in seeing. But, there were also the Walthamstow Wetlands and reservoirs, which would be pleasing on what was looking to be a hot day. 

In the end I decided to head to Baker Street and, from there, see where my feet took me. So, I took a taxi to Watford underground station and boarded a Baker Street-bound train. 

On exiting Baker Street station, via the Marylebone Road exit, I turned right, crossed Baker Street and followed Marylebone Road until I turned down Old Marylebone Road. From here I took Chapel Street to Praed Street, passing Paddington station and various mews, before I joined Craven Road. 

From here I headed south along Westbourne Terrace to Sussex Gardens, which took me to Spring Street and Conduit Mews. Now, London is full of mews which, historically, are a row or courtyard of stables and carriage houses, typically with living quarters above. They were built behind large city houses, especially in London, to house horses, coaches, and stable-servants. Today, these are highly desirable, modern residential homes situated in quiet, traffic-free, cobbled lanes. So, I decided to walk along its length, wondering about these architectural buildings, many of which are brightly painted. 

The River Thames: London's Silent Witness

I have been flowing since before this island had a name, a silver ribbon winding through the shifting clay, birthed from the quiet springs of the Cotswolds and pulled relentlessly toward the grey embrace of the North Sea.

Humans have called me many names, but it is Thames that they now call me. They think they mastered me. They built their stone walls to hem me in, threw their iron bridges across my back like saddles, and dug deep into my belly to hide their trains. But I remember when I was wild. I remember when the woolly mammoth stepped heavily into my shallows to drink, and when the first frightened tribesmen built wooden huts on my marshy banks, looking at my currents with a mixture of reverence and fear.

I am a river of secrets, the great liquid spine of history.

For centuries, I have been London’s silent accomplice. I watched the Romans plant their wooden pilings into my mud, bringing the noise of a distant empire to my quiet shores. I carried the grand, gilded barges of Tudor kings and queens, listening to the whispered court gossip that drifted across my waters. I felt the heat and tasted the falling ash of the Great Fire in 1666, my surface reflecting a sky turned blood-red while terrified citizens threw their treasured possessions into my depths for safekeeping.

London Underground's Grade II Listed Telephone Kiosks

There are four stations, on the London Underground network, that have Grade II listed telephone kiosks on their platforms. These minimalist kiosks are of cast-iron and glass and were installed from 1968.

But, what makes these four so special?

Brief History

The humble telephone kiosk has been in existence, in varying forms, since 1884. At this point telephone boxes were usually wooden cabinets, sometimes called 'silence cabinets', which could be found in shops and stations.

When the General Post Office took over responsibility of Britain's telephones from the National Telephone Company, in 1912, plans to standardise telephone boxes were introduced. 

The first of these new designs, the K1, was of concrete construction and began appearing in 1921. This was followed by an updated K1 the following year.

In 1926 the iconic K2 design was introduced. This kiosk had a scarlet enamelled lion, crown, shield and unicorn motif, below the roof section, and was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. It was made of cast iron and painted bright red.

The K3 design was an adaptation of the K2, but constructed with concrete.

The K4 was introduced in 1930 and used the design of the K2, but was expanded to include a stamp machine and post box. Only 5 examples of the K4 remain and are all Grade II listed. 

Elizabeth Line

The Elizabeth line, moving you across London... faster.

It has been three years, to the day, since the Elizabeth line became fully operational to passengers. 

In those three years it has gone on to become one of the busiest lines in the country, with services running from Reading and Heathrow to Abbey Wood and Shenfield, and has changed how people move in and around the city.

But, the construction of the tunnels, new stations, upgrades to existing stations, new trains, the signalling system and more were not without their issues: Budgets grew and timelines were missed.

So, let's take a look at how this incredible cross-London line came to be.

The beginning.

There had been schemes to create a line to cross London since the early 1900s, all of which were unsuccessful. Many felt that the idea was finished for good, but this was just the catalyst for what would become the Elizabeth line.

In 2005 the Crossrail Bill was submitted to Parliament, gaining Royal Assent in 2008.

Following gaining Royal Assent Crossrail Limited was set up to manage the design and construction of the railway. Between 2008 and 2009 the procurement process kicked in, with contractors being brought aboard, which enabled demolitions to begin and utility services to be diverted. Formal construction began in May 2009.

West Norwood Cemetery (South Metropolitan Cemetery)

The South Metropolitan Cemetery was the second of the eight private garden cemeteries and was opened in 1837, in the London Borough of Lambeth.

The main buildings were designed in the Gothic style, by Sir William Tite, and the cemetery covers an area of 40 acres. The crematorium opened in 1915.

In 1966 it was purchased by Lambeth Council who run it with the Diocese of Southwark.

It is home to over 65 listed monuments and is still in operation, partially.

When West Norwood Cemetery was built, in 1837, London faced a crisis. Her churchyards and burial grounds were full, so garden cemeteries, like this one, were created. The South Metropolitan Cemetery, as it was originally known, was the second of eight cemeteries opened between 1833 and 1845.

There are over 250,000 people buried in over 45,000 graves.

The River Effra still flows beneath the cemetery.

The Chapels and Catacombs

When the cemetery opened it had two chapels, both designed in the Tudor Gothic style. 

The main chapel was Church of England and had turrets, arched arcades, and catacombs, while the second chapel was for Christians not part of the Church of England. Following extensive bombing, during World War II, the chapels were severely damaged and ended up being knocked down. The Catacombs remained, but were heavily damaged.

"Which is London's longest Street?"

London has many streets and roads, but which is the longest?

There are a few contenders, depending on what criteria you are assessing it against.

1. A1 road, which passes through London, has a length of 410 miles (659 kms) and extends to Edinburgh, though it changes names multiple times.
2. Garratt Lane, Wandsworth, is also noted for its significant length at roughly 2.5 miles (4 kms).
3. Green Lanes, the longest thoroughfare, is sometimes cited as the longest, as this road runs for roughly 7.45 miles (12 kms) from Newington Green to Winchmore Hill, though it is not a 'street' in the same localised sense.
4. Streatham High Road is a major, very long, linear road stretching for 1.8 miles (2.9 kms) as part of the A23. 

However, Rotherhithe Street, Southwark, is generally recognised as the longest continuously-named street in London. It stretches for approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 kms), following the River Thames in a meandering semi-circle along a historical route.

So, let's explore London's longest street.

Starting at Rotherhithe Street's western end you enter a narrow pedestrianised path, sandwiched between the converted warehouses of Bombay Wharf and Hope Wharf, before you arrive at the historic St Mary's Church. 

There has been a church on this site since Saxon times, but this current building dates from 1715, with the stone spire being added in 1739. In 1876 restoration work was undertaken, where the north and south galleries were removed, the pulpit was lowered and new seating arrangements were made. The altar, in the Lady Chapel, and the two bishop's chairs, in the north aisle, were constructed from timber from the 'Fighting Temeraire'. Plaques inform you that Captain Christopher Jones, along with three of the part-owners of the 'Mayflower', were buried in the churchyard, in 1622.

'Up at The O2'

Saturday May 9, 2026.

For Keilyn's 13th birthday my mum bought her a ticket to climb over the O2 Arena. Not wanting to miss out, Emma bought me a ticket, so that I could join her. My uncle Martin would be joining us for the day, although he wouldn't be taking part in the climb. Instead he would be taking photos of our ascent and descent, while also exploring the public art along Olympian Way.

Arriving at Base Camp, we checked in and I was issued with a rubber wristband that contained a sensor, before we were ushered into a waiting room, where a video showed us what to expect from our climb. It went on to show climbs completed in the evening, at Christmas and at sunset. 

It then showed climbers taking part in yoga classes, listening to live music, dancing, performing record-breaking displays, along with a lot more, all on top of the O2 Arena.

Our group of thirteen was then joined by Conner, who would be our guide for the climb. He left us to watch a four-minute safety video, before taking us through to get kitted out for the climb. Keilyn, who was wearing trainers, was issued with a pair of sturdy high-grip shoes, while I was okay to wear my walking boots. I was issued with a gilet, which had zipped pockets to store our phones in, with 'Get Over It' emblazoned across the back. Once Keilyn had placed her shoes in a blue storage box, picking one with a 'SpongeBob SquarePants' sticker on it, rather than a number, we handed it to Conner and collected a clasp each, before he issued us each with a harness.

We then made our way outside and formed a line as Conner explained how to put on the harness, fasten it tight and to attach the 'C' clamp. He then checked each individual harness, before sending us up the stairs to the start point. Keilyn's harness was different from mine, as it had zipped pockets incorporated into its design, so she secured her phone in it.

Walking with family: 'Up at The O2' and Rotherhithe to Tower Bridge... and beyond

Saturday May 9, 2026.

A cloudy start turning sunny in the afternoon, at 21°C (69°F).

For Keilyn's 13th birthday, last Thursday, my mum bought her a ticket for the 'Climb Up at The O2', which was something that she has always wanted to do. Emma purchased me a ticket, so that I could do the climb with Keilyn, as it was something that I wanted to do, too. As my mum was unable to accompany us, my uncle Martin would be joining us for the day, to take photos of our climb.

We set off from Croxley station, where we boarded a Metropolitan line train towards Baker Street, alighting at Finchley Road, where we took a Stratford-bound Jubilee line train to North Greenwich. The journey time was around 1 hour, so we ended up at The O2 with plenty of time to spare. 

Martin purchased a drink and a roll, from Starbucks, which he ate in the shade, while Keilyn and I tucked into our sandwiches and drinks. 

Just after 11:30 Keilyn and I made our way to 'Base Camp', with Martin waiting in the shade. As we were early we were allowed to join the 11:45 climb, and made our way through the waiting area. We were soon joined by 11 more climbers and our guide, Conner, who, after showing us a four-minute safety video took us through to get kitted out.

We then made our way outside, where we put on our harness, and clamp, before heading up the stairs to the starting point. By now Martin had headed towards Base Camp, from where he would watch and take photos of our ascent. Here we were met by Emma, who took photos of us all, before we set off on the 30° incline, with Keilyn leading the pack.

Photo ©Martin Bullock.

We stopped where the walkway took on a less acute angle, allowing the others to catch up, before setting off for the centre of the O2. Daisy's group, that had started before us, were still taking in the sights, from the viewpoint, so we joined them, before they headed down and left the thirteen of us to take in the view.

Tower Hamlets Cemetery (City of London and Tower Hamlets Cemetery) (Bow Cemetery)

For hundreds of years people were buried in their local churchyards, of which there are many in and around the city. However, following a mass migration of people to London, during the industrial revolution, the population exploded from 1 million to 2.3 million in just 50 years, resulting in churchyards becoming full.

In 1832, an Act of Parliament encouraged the creation of private garden cemeteries, outside of central London, as a way to relieve pressure on local churchyards. Various companies were formed, land bought and, between 1833 and 1845, eight private cemeteries were opened. They were: Kensal Green (1833), West Norwood (1837), Highgate (1839), Abney Park (1840), Brompton (1840), Nunhead (1840), City of London and Tower Hamlets (1841) and Victoria Park Cemetery (1845).

'The Shared' and 'Cornerstone' by Austin Emery

'The Shared' (2014).

'The Shared' was a collaboration between the sculptor Austin Emery, Leathermarket JMB (Southwark's largest resident-managed housing organisation), and the local community.

In October 2012 free, open stone sculpting workshops took place on Tyers Estate, with over 100 members of the public, both adult and child alike, creating their own pieces of sculpture.

To make the sculpture whole, much like a community, Austin Emery joined the pieces together to form 'The Shared' totem-like sculpture, which now stands on the Tyers Estate.

Austin then added his own embellishments and crafted animal habitats within the piece.

National Submariner's War Memorial

Walking along the Victoria Embankment you will discover many memorials on either side of the road. There are memorials to military servicemen and women, poets, writers, journalists, architects and more. One of the most prominent is the National Submariner's War Memorial.

Designed by the architect Arthur Heron Ryan Tenison and contains a bronze sculpture designed by Frederick Brook Hitch, which was cast by the Parlanti Foundry.

Chief of the Submarine Service, Rear Admiral Sir Hugh Sinclair, unveiled the memorial on December 15, 1922, which was then dedicated by Archdeacon Charles Ingles, the Chaplain of the Fleet.

Walking with family: London Bridge to Bermondsey... and beyond

Sunday April 26, 2026.

A sunny day with occasional clouds 20°C (68°F) with light winds of 6.8 mph (11 km/h).

The weather was promising to make for the perfect for a walk in London, so off we all set. 

A taxi to Watford Underground station, where we boarded a busy train to Finchley Road, with many of the passengers disembarking at Wembley Park for the football at Wembley Stadium. The Jubilee line train, which would take us to London Bridge, was just as busy, this time with people holding placards ready to support family and friends running in the London Marathon.

Our walk was to follow the route of London's first passenger dedicated steam railway, The London and Greenwich Railway. The walk would take us from London's oldest train terminus to London's oldest continually used station.

Alighting from the train at London Bridge we made our way out to Tooley Street, where the streets were busy with people heading for Tower Bridge, to watch the London Marathon. So, we went along Stainer Street, where Erin played a short piece on a Victorian pipe organ, which was installed in 2022.

From here it was on to St Thomas Street. Here the paths and roads were fairly clear, so we began our walk eastwards. Keilyn stopped at 'Greggs' to grab herself an ice-cold drink and a pizza slice, before our walk began in earnest.

St Thomas Street brought us onto Crucifix Lane, below the mainline south out of London Bridge, and onto Druid Street. We followed Druid Street, crossing Tower Bridge Road, which was sealed off as this was part of the Marathon route. Erin, meanwhile, was checking the progress of her school form tutor, Miss Talbot, who was running her second London Marathon. Erin would continue to check her progress throughout the day. Further along Druid Street there was a 'car meet', with all sorts of vehicles in attendance, many with furry wolf masks sitting on many of the bonnets.

Here we headed through one of the railway arches, of which there were 878 when the viaduct was constructed, and walked through Malty Street Market. This is a wonderful little market offering food and drinks from around the world, all at reasonable prices. We meandered our way through the growing crowds and found ourselves on Millstream Road, which we followed, back beneath the railway, back onto Druid Street.

"Which was London's first railway?"

There are two possible answers to this question as there are two companies competing for the title.

Also, by answering this question we can also answer some others along the way. If we can work out which railway came first we can work out which is London's oldest station, too.

The Surrey Iron Railway

The first Act of Parliament for the authorisation of a railway in the London area was granted in 1801, to the Surrey Iron Railway. This railway was built in stages, between 1802 and 1803, from Frying Pan Creek, on the River Thames at Wandsworth, to Pitlake Meadows at Croydon, mostly following the Wandle Valley.

The Surrey Iron Railway used trains of ten wagons, which were horse-drawn along a narrow-gauge, double-tracked line. This line remained in use until 1846, but was only briefly profitable. 

However, all of this railway was within Surrey, parts of which wouldn't become part of London until 1889.

The London and Greenwich Railway

In 1831, following the success of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, which had opened in 1830 as the world's first passenger railway to connect two cities, retired Royal Engineer Colonel George Thomas Landmann and George Walter, an entrepreneur, had the idea for a passenger railway service in London. 

The Surrey Chapel and The Ring

On the northern corner of Blackfriars Road and Union Street stood the Surrey Chapel, built in 1783. It then took on a completely different persona.

The Surrey Chapel was one of the first octagonal churches, in England, and was constructed in 1783, by Reverend Rowland Hill. The chapel had innovative features that included gas lighting, underfloor heating and an organ that used thunder and lightning effects, He chose the octagonal design so that the Devil would not be able to lurk in the corners.

Able to hold 1,200 people, the eccentric Reverend Hill preached here for nearly fifty years, usually to a full congregation, from his pulpit that was situated in the centre of the chapel.

In 1881 the chapel closed and, by 1910, was converted into a boxing arena, by Dick Burge, who was a former British lightweight champion between 1891-1897, and his wife Bella. They replaced the pulpit with a raised, roped-in enclosure, with a circular stage surrounded by seats for spectators.

Dick Burge renamed the building 'The Ring', which stems from early literal ground-drawn fight circles used in the early bare-knuckle boxing days under London Prize Ring Rules.

It would become the first indoor boxing ring for the working classes and would go on to become one of the most popular boxing venues, in London, famous as a proving ground for boxing talent, where well-known prize-fighters took on apprentice fighters. 

London's Crossroads Burials

This 1746 map shows the probable site of the burial of John Duke.

Walking along the streets of London, with its over 2,000 years of history, you can never know exactly what, or who, you are walking on.

Historically, in Britain, individuals who died by suicide, which was considered a crime, executed criminals or other 'outcasts' were often denied burial in consecrated church ground and interred at crossroads, with a stake through their heart. It was believed that the junction of roads would confuse the spirit of the deceased and prevent them from returning to haunt the living. 

The crossroads at which they were  interred were usually the closest to their home or the murder site.

Three high profile crossroads burials.

Although there were many burials at crossroads, records have been lost or destroyed, making a true count of how many impossible. Below are the three that I can find information about.

National Police Memorial

On a small patch of grassland, at the corner of The Mall and Horse Guards Road, stands the National Police Memorial. It was the first memorial to be placed in St James's Park in over a century.

On April 17, 1984, WPC Yvonne Fletcher was fatally wounded by a gunshot, fired by an unknown gunman in the Libyan Embassy, on St James's Square. Her murder sparked an eleven-day siege of the Embassy which, when it ended, resulted in the expulsion of those inside the building and the severing of diplomatic ties between the United Kingdom and Libya. 

Following her murder the film director Michael Winner founded the Police Memorial Trust. At first the Trust erected small monuments at the locations where Police Officers had lost their lives, but they wanted something more.

From the mid 1990s they lobbied and raised funds for a permanent memorial to all officers who had died in the course of their duties. Michael Winner gifted £500,000 to the fund, stating, 

"Memorials to soldiers, sailors and airmen are commonplace, but the police fight a war with no beginning and no end."