“Ever seen one of these tiny green houses in London? They’re not what you think! 🚕☕🏠” Tourists often walk right past them—but inside, cab drivers have a secret slice of history where rules of politeness and peace are still followed. Details in the full article below 👇
London is famous for its special architecture. Most tourists can easily spot the red phone booths, but many are left wondering about the small green houses scattered around the city. These tiny structures are rarely mentioned in English textbooks—which is a shame, because they once served a very important purpose.
These buildings are called Cab Shelters, and they started appearing in London in the late 1800s. As the name suggests, they were built for cab drivers—back when people still used horse-drawn carriages.
Cab drivers worked long hours and needed a place to rest, but they couldn’t just relax in a pub. Alcohol and distractions didn’t mix well with a job that required them to be ready to work at any moment. So the idea was born: create a quiet place where they could take a break, get out of the weather, and eat something warm.
According to a well-known local story, the idea came from a retired army captain named George Armstrong. One rainy day, he urgently needed to travel across London but couldn’t find a cab anywhere. After searching for a long time, he found out the drivers were all in nearby bars waiting for the rain to pass. That experience led him to think: why not give cab drivers their own small shelters right on the streets?
Back in the day, the shelters looked a bit different. Many had boxes filled with hay hanging outside to feed the horses. These days, they don’t serve a practical function for horses anymore—but they still exist, and London cab drivers have special access to them.
For cab drivers, these shelters are a valuable tradition. Inside, they can rest, warm up, and even enjoy a homemade hot meal. The rules, however, are now stricter than they were in the past. Inside the shelter, alcohol is banned, and drivers must speak respectfully—no loud swearing or rough behavior is allowed.
You might wonder who pays to keep these shelters standing. It turns out that cab drivers make regular contributions from their earnings to help fund the upkeep. A group called the Cabmen’s Shelter Fund manages the shelters and handles their repairs and restoration.
Today, these little green houses are protected as historic landmarks. The government helps preserve them because they are part of London’s cultural heritage.
Have you ever noticed these small green houses while walking around London? Would you like to see more hidden city history like this? Tell us what you think in the comments—we’d love to hear your thoughts!
