Taxi Shelters

Following along with the London cabbie posting that I did a few days ago, I wanted to share one more interesting idea about the life of a London cabbie. Scattered through town are little green sheds like this one that are called taxi shelters or huts. Originally built between 1875 and 1914, they were set up after an army captain named Captain George Armstrong sent one of his servants out one rainy day to find a cab, which was a horse drawn carriage at the time,  and found that all the drivers had abandoned their cabs to go to the local pubs to warm up and get a drink.

In an attempt to provide a warm place and a spot for drivers to get out of the rain for a non alcoholic drink, he and a few others created the Cabman's Shelter Fund, which set out to build the shelters we see  today. Originally 61 shelters were built to specifications that they be no longer than the length of a horse and cab, since they were situated on a highway.

Small as they were, they all had a working kitchen and table seating for up to 13 drivers.

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There are thirteen remaining shelters today and here is where they are located:
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
Russell Square - west corner (previously in Leicester Square)
St George's Square, Pimlico
Temple Place
Thurloe Place, Kensington - opp the Victoria & Albert Museum
Warwick Avenue - Clifton Gardens
Wellington Place, St John's Wood


The menu prices are subsidized making them more affordable for drivers. A tuna fish sandwich is 1.50£, soup and bread 2.50£ and a cup of coffee is only 50 pence. Only drivers are allowed inside to eat, but many of the shelters have take away available for anyone. Hmmmm.... I'm thinking dinner couldn't get much cheaper or easier!!!