The 20th century London

London grew even bigger. Many more people went to live in the city suburbs and travelled to work by train, bus or car. The city changed too, with new buildings replacing those damaged by bombs during the war years.

The First World War began in 1914. The first air raid hit London in 1915 and during the war over 835 people were killed in air attacks.

In 1939 the Second World War broke out and some 690.000 children were moved out of London. The blitz began in 1940 and caused a lot of damage to London, with some of the worst damage being done around (and including) St. Paul's Cathedral. By the end of the war 30.000 people had been killed in London and much of the city's buildings lay in ruins. During both wars, women started working in factories for the first time.

Later in the 20th century, air travel became more important. New airports were built to link London with the rest of the world.

At the start of the new millenium, London has a population of over seven million!!!

Victorian London

In 1837, Victoria became Queen at the age of 18. The time while she was Queen is called the Victorian era. London was busy with trade and industry, and it grew fast. Better lighting, plumbing and transport developed too. By the time she died in 1901, London was a very different city.

Up until the 19th century, the city was a similar size as the Roman Londinium. From 1820 the green areas around were absorved by new arrivers, workers attracted by industrialism. This growth caused problems: the first cholera epidemic broke out in 1832 and in 1858 the Thames was so dirty and it stank - The Great Stench- that the Parliament had to close! The new sewer and river drain system by Joseph Bazalgette (1875) solved the problem.

Railways were built linking much of Britain to the capital. London was the centre of the world trade and had a large powerful empire.

Many of the buildings in London today were built in Victorian times. The most famous is probably the Houses of Parliament, built after a fire destroyed the original buildings.

Electric light was first used in Holborn in 1883. By the 1840's there were also horse drawn buses and from the 1870's horse drawn trams.

The World first underground railway ("The Tube") opened in 1862. At first carriages were pulled by steam trains. The system was electrified in 1890-1905.

A Christmas tradition started in this era still continues: the Pantomime.

Sites from this times:
- Train stations
- The Kensington Museum
- The Royal Albert Hall
- The Leighton House
- The Victoria and Albert Museum
- The London Transport Museum

Georgian London

George I became king in 1714 and began a line, the Hannovers. At this time, Britain was one of the most powerful countries in the world, with London at the heart of its trade.

London quickly grew in size and population during the Georgian era. In 1801 the population reached about one million. Merchants and bankers grew rich and many lived in the West End in elegant squares (the plan of the West End nowadays is very similar to the West End in 1828.) Other people suffered terrible poverty. Thousands lived in filthy East End slums, where disease, crime and drunkenness were common.

Many new town houses were built. These houses were tall and three windows wide. They had arched doorways , with a window above called fanlight. You can still see this kind of house today.

The streets of London were badly lit and full of beggars and thieves.

Several hospitals were founded in during the Georgian era including Westminster, Guys, St. Georges, London and Middlesex.

Sites that belong to this era:
- Berkeley Square
- The Royal Haymarket Theatre portal
- Reform and Travellers Clubs in Pall Mall.
- Fournier Street
- The Victoria and Albert Museum
- The Tate Britain
- Sir John Soane's Museum

Can you upload a picture of a typical Georgian (rich) house and its doorway?