On a cold January evening in 1875, ex soldier and editor of The Globe newspaper sent his manservant into a blizzard to collect a hansom cab. He needed to get to his office in Fleet Street from his home in St. John’s Wood and was surprised when his servant returned after an entire hour had passed. The manservant explained that he eventually found several cabmen in a local pub, but all of them were too drunk to drive! During this time the Temperance Society was in full swing and excessive drinking was highly frowned upon.
Hansom Cabs were the vehicle of choice at the time. They were horse-drawn and open to the elements for the cabmen. He was expected to sit waiting for a fare in all types of weather and the only place he could go for comfort was a public house. Even then he had to pay someone to watch the cab and horse, as it was illegal to leave them unattended. Captain Armstrong saw the predicament and together with his friends, including the 7th Earl of Shaftesbury formed the Cabmen’s Shelter Fund.
Between 1875 and 1950 forty-seven shelters were built. Eventually they included a kitchen so hot meals and drinks could be provided for a charge. Watermen were employed to ensure the horses had enough water to drink and to keep order. The shelters are small but can accommodate 10-13 diners. Two benches run along the walls of the shelters with two long, thin tables comprise the main area. At the far end the proprietor has access to a cooker (stove) and refrigerator. While many cabmen’s shelters were destroyed in the Blitz and because of post war development, the remaining 13 shelter’s are Grade II listed buildings and protected by English Heritage. While they do not generally let non-cab drivers in, some do offer take-away service. There is a lovely little film about the shelters at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aA3NNNehxU
Russell Square – western corner
Chelsea Embankment – near the Albert Bridge
Embankment Place
Grosvenor Gardens – west side of north garden
Hanover Square – north of central garden
Kensington Park Road – outside numbers 8-10
Kensington Road – north side
Pont Street
Warwick Avenue – centre of the road, by Warwick Avenue Tube Station
Wellington Place, St John’s Wood, handy for Lord’s Cricket Ground
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| A London taxi shelter at Russell Square |
Hansom Cabs were the vehicle of choice at the time. They were horse-drawn and open to the elements for the cabmen. He was expected to sit waiting for a fare in all types of weather and the only place he could go for comfort was a public house. Even then he had to pay someone to watch the cab and horse, as it was illegal to leave them unattended. Captain Armstrong saw the predicament and together with his friends, including the 7th Earl of Shaftesbury formed the Cabmen’s Shelter Fund.
Between 1875 and 1950 forty-seven shelters were built. Eventually they included a kitchen so hot meals and drinks could be provided for a charge. Watermen were employed to ensure the horses had enough water to drink and to keep order. The shelters are small but can accommodate 10-13 diners. Two benches run along the walls of the shelters with two long, thin tables comprise the main area. At the far end the proprietor has access to a cooker (stove) and refrigerator. While many cabmen’s shelters were destroyed in the Blitz and because of post war development, the remaining 13 shelter’s are Grade II listed buildings and protected by English Heritage. While they do not generally let non-cab drivers in, some do offer take-away service. There is a lovely little film about the shelters at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aA3NNNehxU
Russell Square – western corner
Chelsea Embankment – near the Albert Bridge
Embankment Place
Grosvenor Gardens – west side of north garden
Hanover Square – north of central garden
Kensington Park Road – outside numbers 8-10
Kensington Road – north side
Pont Street
- St George’s Square, Pimlico – on north side
- Temple Place
Warwick Avenue – centre of the road, by Warwick Avenue Tube Station
Wellington Place, St John’s Wood, handy for Lord’s Cricket Ground
