Spotted A Green Shed in London? Here’s The Mystery Behind It!

Most Londoners and tourists often overlook one of the city’s most unique, only-in-London feature, tiny green wooden sheds or Green Shelters. And even fewer people know that these shelters, also known as Cabmen’s Shelters date back to 1875!

In the late 19^th century, these shelters served as drive-throughs to horse drawn carriage taxis, better known as Hansom Cabs that provided food, drinks (non-alcoholic) and shelter from the weather. Even today these shelters continue to serve cheap and comforting British food to London’s Hackney cab (or as popularly referred, black cabs) drivers.

Story goes that back in January 1875, Captain Armstrong, editor of The Globe newspaper lost his top when his manservant took over an hour to reach his office in the midst of a blizzard. The reason? All the available cabbies were seeking shelter and enjoying a drink in nearby pubs thanks to the blizzard. During those days, it was illegal to leave a cab unattended. This strange law unfairly expected cabbies to sit in the Hansom Cab unprotected from harsh weather! So, they’d often pay someone to look after their cabs while they grabbed some food or took shelter. His solution was to bring together various philanthropists to establish the Cabmen’s Shelter Fund that would build and run shelters providing food and roof to cabbies in bad weather and reduce their temptation to consume alcohol while on duty.

Reserved exclusively for cab drivers, most shelters do not allow non-taxi drivers. But there are a few who are now open to ordinary people. Ask nicely and they might just let you in! But that wasn’t the case in the past. In fact, they only opened their doors to non-cabbies twice, Prince Charles and Joanna Lumley, a popular English actress.

Back in the day there were over 61 shelters across London. Sadly, today, there are only 13 Cabmen’s Shelters in the city and they proudly continue to serve as secret cafes where cabbies can take a break and bond. In World War II many shelters were destroyed during bombing. Post war, parking controls, increased vehicle security, road widening schemes, further dwindled the number of these green shelters. Thankfully, all of the 13 remaining shelters carry Grade II-listed status, so Cabmen’s Shelters are here to stay!

Book fights to London on EMI and explore one of the most interest facts about London.