The History of London's Green Cabmen's Shelters

Have you ever wondered what the small green shelters are that feature on some of London's streets? 🟩
A cabmen's shelter is a small building or shed found at the side or in the middle of roads, usually consisting of a small kitchen and a hatch through which food and drinks can be passed. Some have a few chairs or benches and tables in them, while others may put seating outside on sunny days.
These green shelters first appeared in Victorian London when the law prohibited horse and carriage drivers from leaving their cabs unattended in a cab rank.
Thanks to the Cabmen's Shelter Fund and London Taxi PR for helping us make this film. 🙏
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Chapters:
00:00: What is a Cabmen’s Shelter?
00:27: The origins and design of cabmen's shelters
03:09: The Wellington Place Cabmen's Shelter
04:11: The Cabmen's Shelter Fund and the Warwick Avenue Cabmen's Shelters
05:20: The Grosvenor Place Cabmen's Shelter
06:23: The Kensington Park Road Cabmen's Shelter
06:52: The Russell Square Cabmen's Shelter
07:33: Listing the Wellington Place Cabmen's Shelter
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[@noramartin96]

Few people appreciate how tough it is doing the 'knowledge' Great video and glad these shelters will carry on

[@HistoricEngland]

Thanks 👍

[@owenwilson8822]

I can listen to these types of videos all day

[@HistoricEngland]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@genevievedolan1288]

So lovely they are now protected! They are like the tardis and that green is iconic too!

[@HistoricEngland]

Thank you, Genevieve! Yes we love the green too 💚

[@londonbabe2467]

What an Absolutely Lovely thing to do. The Famous Black Cab drivers are the Best. Fantastic to KEEP these wonderful pieces of London History alive. Well Done. 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿❤️ Proud True English Woman and Londoner. 😮

[@HistoricEngland]

Thank you!

[@mandyjourneaux6552]

delightful! well done Historic England!

[@HistoricEngland]

Thanks!

[@mcsquare4439]

Love this channel, and love hearing all various wonderful stories from Londoners and beyond.

[@HorrorBiscuits]

Amazing work - well done Luke!

[@HistoricEngland]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@simonaldridge7491]

Brilliant video

[@HistoricEngland]

Thanks, Simon!

[@MehediHasan-o6e1g]

I ❤ my country england

[@RafeConn]

Great story, well told.

[@HistoricEngland]

Thank you! These buildings have amazing history.

[@philipjones3793]

These Have to be kept in good serviceable shape. Theyd be Crazy Noot To.

[@HistoricEngland]

Hopefully they will continue to be! All 13 shelters are now listed, protecting them for future generations, and are looked after by the Cabmen's Shelter Fund.

[@JP_TaVeryMuch]

Now that these little green wonders have been given statutory protection, we have to make sure that the even more iconic black cabs' drivers keep going too.

[@HistoricEngland]

Black cabs are an important part of London's history

[@theofarmmanager267]

Black cabs will only survive if they are economically viable. That means that there must be enough revenue to pay living wages to ensure that existing drivers stay and new drivers are attracted. If that viability is not there, then they will be no different to other trades that have declined enormously such as rope makers, saddlers, farriers.

[@amphimrca]

🐟🐟🐟

[@gentlegiants1974]

I'm not a cabman, but I do drive horses all day. It must have been a downright miserable job in the wintertime, wet through, frozen hands, frozen feet, a warm spot to step in and have a hot cup of tea and thaw out for a few minutes between calls must have been appreciated.

[@genevievedolan1288]

I have always wondered where the taxi drivers go to relieve themselves. Are there toilets in these shelters?

[@HistoricEngland]

Hi Genevieve, we don't think they do, no.