London taxi drivers are able to enjoy a good cup of tea and something tasty to eat at a number of historic little green wooden cafes that dot the streets.
These cafes date back to Victorian times when they provided a respite for the drivers of the thousands of Hansom cabs and Hackney carriages that drove people like Sherlock Holmes around the foggy city. Often nearby was a large stone water trough where the horses that worked so hard could drink. Taps to which tin cups were attached by a chain meant that there was no need for pedestrians to pay for bottled water. I used these cups when thirsty as I wandered around London in my childhood.
The cafes, known as cabmen’s shelters, were set up by a charity created in 1874 by the Early of Shaftsbury. He and friends felt sorry for the cab drivers who couldn’t easily find a hot meal as they were not permitted to leave their cabs while parked at stands.
Sixty one of the shelters were built between 1875 and 1914 and they weren’t allowed to take up any more space than a parked horse and cart. Today the 13 surviving shelters are still very popular and they are Grade II listed buildings.
When the shelter at St John’s Wood was last visited it was doing great business. Only taxi drivers can sit inside the little café where there is space for about a dozen people. By anyone can enjoy a cup of tea and a bacon sandwich while standing at the little window at the side. A lucky horseshoe nailed to the side provides a memory of the vanished horses of London.
Today the surviving shelters can be seen at:
Chelsea Embankment, near the Albert Bridge.
Embankment Place.
Grosvenor Gardens, near Victoria Station, on the west side of the north garden.
8-10 Kensington Park Road.
Kensington Road, north side.
Pont Street
West side of Russell Square.
Temple Place,
Thurloe Place, Kensington, opposite the Victoria and Albert Museum.
St George’s Square, Pimlico
Warwick Avenue, Clifton Gardens
Wellington Place, St John’s Wood.
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©Phillip Bruce 2009
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