Unusual Histories

In this episode, the 5th in Danny Hurst´s Unusual Histories Bridge Series, he reaches Blackfriars. Today, you get the history of 3 bridges for the price of one. Danny tells you about the connection the bridge has with monks, theatre, the River Fleet, David Bowie, solar power, the Mafia, and the voice of Queen Victoria. KEY TAKEAWAYS You can still see the columns that supported the old Blackfriars...

In this episode, the 5th in Danny Hurst´s Unusual Histories Bridge Series, he gets to the newest of London's bridges, the Millennium Bridge. Danny explains why a design fault led to excitation and how the issue was fixed. Unusually, a sculptor was involved in its design as well as an architect. This relatively new addition to London´s cityscape still has some fascinating stories to tell. Danny als...

In this episode, which is the 4th in Danny Hurst´s Unusual Histories Bridge Series, he gets to Southwark. Starting by explaining the slightly weird origins of its name and the history around it. He explains why Shakespeare built his theatre The Globe in the area despite it being ridden with rats, bad smells, and huge mosquitos. KEY TAKEAWAYS The area around the bridge is the oldest residential par...

In this episode, which is the 3rd in Danny Hurst´s Unusual Histories Bridge Series, he takes a look at one of the city's lesser-known bridges – Cannon Street Railway Bridge, one side of which was first built in a medieval steelyard, (not what you think it is). Danny also shares the connection between the oldest known monument in London, Alfred the Great, Shakespeare, candle-makers, and Oswald Mose...

In this episode, which is the 2nd in Danny Hurst´s Unusual Histories The Bridges of London Series, he looks at the incredibly long and surprising history of London Bridge. The bridge has been disappointing tourists for decades who are expecting to see the far more aesthetically pleasing Tower Bridge.  The history of London Bridge is the history of London itself, so you don´t want to miss this epis...

In this episode, Danny launches his new Unusual Histories series during which he will share details of the long and fascinating history of each of London´s bridges, starting with the iconic Tower Bridge. He is joined by Dirk Bennett, the Exhibition Development Manager for Tower Bridge and Monument who is organising events to celebrate the bridge's 130th anniversary. Listen in to find out if a bus...

In this episode, which is the last of Danny Hurst´s London Monopoly History podcast series we reach the Mayfair square. In this entertaining episode, he explains how this famous London area went from being known for its prostitution and crime to becoming one of the most exclusive neighbourhoods in the world. Danny explains how events in Mayfair inspired hits for both The Beatles and The Rolling St...

In this the 26th episode of Danny Hurst´s London Monopoly Board history series we reach Park Lane which runs along the Eastern flank of Hyde Park. A street that is one of the most expensive on the board and in real life, Danny walks you through the connection the street has with Henry VIII, Sherlock Holmes, Muhammed Al Fayed, rough sleepers, what was thought of as London´s safest building and much...

In this episode, the 25th in Danny Hurst´s British Monopoly History series we reach the last of the stations on the London-themed board - Liverpool Street Station. Built on the site of a notorious lunatic asylum, the state of which gave the English-speaking world a new word to describe a chaotic, disordered situation. Danny explains the station´s connection to the Knights Templar, Paul McCartney,...

In this episode, which is number 24 in Danny Hurst´s Monopoly history series it is the turn of the last green square – the extremely high rent, Bond Street. A street that is home to two of the oldest and most renowned auction houses, the oldest manmade sculpture in London and the Beadles. (Yes, that's with a "d", not a "t"). Find out why the street has been misnamed, and what its connection to Jam...

In this episode, the 23rd in Danny Hurst´s Monopoly placename history series we reach Oxford Street and the nearby set of gallows that could hang 24 people at once. Danny tells you all about its famous victims and the history of some of the biggest department stores on the street and shares the story of the underground shops that are said to exist there. He also tells you about the street´s import...

In this episode, which is the 22nd in Danny Hurst´s entertaining London Monopoly board history series, he takes you up West to visit Regent Street. As you will hear, this street is far more than just one of London´s most popular shopping streets. Danny explains why the street is curved and where the 1st X-rated film in the UK was shown. KEY TAKEAWAYS The first moving picture in Britain was shown o...

In this episode, which is the 21st of Danny Hurst´s Monopoly placename history series he tells us all about the 3rd of the yellow squares – Piccadilly. He explains how the street got its name from a fashion accessory, its connection with the theory of evolution, and how a squatter protest led to the area being taken over by Hell´s Angels. He shares the details of The Albany´s rich history and famo...

In this episode, which is the 20th of Danny Hurst´s London Monopoly Board history series it is the turn of the 2nd yellow card  - Coventry Street. The unlikely home of some supernatural occurrences, gambling clubs and for hundreds of years, prostitution. Coventry Street has always been a buzzy place, with several iconic films premiering there. Danny also shares Coventry Street´s connection to the...

In this episode, the 19th in Danny Hurst´s fascinating Monopoly London place names history series it is the turn of Leicester Square. Danny shares the origins of its nickname “Fester Square”, the connection it has with Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and why it is home to a toilet cubicle named after the director Kevin Smith. He also explains the connection to leotards, the ballet, Karl Marx, the Chinese co...

In this episode, which is No. 18 of Danny Hurst´s London Monopoly history series, we reach the obscure, yet fascinating, Fenchurch Street Station. The scene of the 1st murder on a train in Britain with a connection to The Hitchhiker´s Guide To The Galaxy, Green Street and Round The Horne. Danny also shares the details of places nearby that offer spectacular views of London. Including a little-know...

In this episode, the 17th in Danny Hurst´s fascinating look at the history of the placenames from the London version of Monopoly he tells you all about Trafalgar Square. The home to London´s oldest bronze statue which was hidden in a garden to save it from destruction. Today, it serves an important purpose. Danny disproves a modern naming myth, explains how the square was cleared of feral pigeons...

This episode, which is the 16th in Danny Hurst’s London Monopoly board history series, is the turn of the world-famous Fleet Street. Danny explains how it became the centre of the UK´s newspaper industry and what its connection with the “Chance” square is. It is home to what is probably London´s oldest statue, plays an important role in the capital´s sewage system and is where a popular type of ci...

In this episode, which is the 15th in Danny Hurst´s whirlwind history tour of the places on the London Monopoly board he takes a look at Strand; the street where the gunpowder plot was hatched and the home to several spectacular palaces. He reveals the origins of Savoy operas, why you have to exit and enter the hotel by driving on the right and why the Roman baths are not what you think they are....

In this episode, which is number 14 of Danny Hurst´s London Monopoly board history series, he takes a look at Vine Street. It is one of the law-and-order squares, so it is associated with some really strange goings-on, including a 1791 case that involved auto-erotic asphyxiation, and a haunted police station. The street also has an odd connection with one of The Pogues' songs and The Marquis of Qu...

This episode of Danny Hurst’s London Monopoly board history series is all about (Great) Marlborough Street, the home of the world-famous magistrates court which has been the scene of many scandalous cases including Oscar Wilde vs the Marquis of Queensbury, Brian Jones and Keith Richards' drug trial and the prosecution of Christine Keeler.  Danny also shares the connection the street has with Winst...

In this episode, which is number 12 in Danny Hurst´s London Monopoly board history series, it is the turn of Bow Street. The first of the orange squares on the board, which all have a legal connection.  Find out why a full-scale riot broke out there, how it became the location of the world´s first police force and its connection to My Fair Lady, Oscar Wilde, The Krays, and Casanova. KEY TAKEAWAYS...

This episode is the 11th stop in Danny Hurst´s history tour of the place names on the London Monopoly board. Today, it is the turn of Marylebone Station, the board location nobody knows how to pronounce. Learn about the origins of its unusual name and the connection with several other London area names.  The station has frequently been used as a film set, find out why and which films were shot the...

For this episode, which is number 10 in Danny Hurst´s London Monopoly locations history series, he tells you all about Northumberland Avenue, the most expensive of the pink properties. Listen to discover the street´s connection with Alec Guinness, The Goon Show, The Beatles, Sherlock Holmes, and the Percy family (sadly not related to Lord Percy Percy of Blackadder fame). He also tells you about a...

In this episode, which is No. 9 of Danny Hurst’s history-based tour of the London version of the Monopoly board, we arrive at Whitehall. Home to the earliest Renaissance building in Britain, the executioner´s scaffold, and today, many of the UK´s most important political ministries. Listen to find out about the street´s surprising connection to Guy Fawkes, Harvard University, the IRA, and the sing...