The Exact Centre of The Capital of Cool London
I suppose asking where is the exact centre of London, is one of those questions that is open to debate. And I suppose at the end of the day, does it really matter a dam, as to where the exact centre really is.
Is it really going to change or make anybody’s life any happier and more fulfilled known that they have stood on the centre of the capital of cool, London. Then again looking at some of those wackjobs and crackpots that I see wandering around in London, it maybe will alter some of their life’s, in some deep and mystical way!
It is commonly believed that the exact centre of London can be found on the traffic island next to Trafalgar Square, where the statue of King Charles I on horseback stands and which looks down Whitehall. There is a plaque on the ground beside the statue, which states this is the spot from where mileages from London are measured.
Does the plaque say that this is the centre of London, if it does it must be invisible. Just because it says all mileages are measured from this spot means that we have to assume that this spot is the exact centre of London. Until I read the plaque myself the other day, I was under the impression that it would say that this is the official exact centre of London.
Well alas I have been left confused, disappointed and heartbroken and my great dream of standing on the exact centre of London was destroyed, (I’m only kidding, I’m not that sad). The way I see it, was it ever the exact centre of London, as opposed to been just regarded as the exact centre or a place, which was used as a reference point for measuring road distances from and to London.
The story goes like this, It was the year 1290 and Queen Eleanor died on the journey to Scotland to meet her husband King Edward. As a tribute and memorial to Queen Eleanor, he decided to place twelve memorial crosses that were installed at each stopping point of her funeral possession. One of those crosses was originally placed where the statue of King Charles I now stands, a replica of the original cross is now outside Charring Cross Station.
Is this little traffic island beside Trafalgar Square really the centre of London, well I suppose it can be regarded as being so. For the simple reason that all mileages are measured from this point in London. Lets face facts the real geographic centre of London, would have changed countless times through the years as the city expanded.
This has got me thinking, that in London, we know that all road mileages in the UK, to and from London are measured from this busy traffic island in Trafalgar Square, so does everybody out there know where the so called centre of their village, town or city is?
Everybody remember to visit the Carnival of Cities, which is being held at Emm in London
No related posts.