London Myths

The ‘dead parrot’ statue in Greenwich is not what you think

14/05/2026 donbrown 1

The enigmatic artwork of Greenwich that most people get wrong. It’s definitely not a dead parrot.

The Mystery of the Reformers’ Oak

17/04/2026 donbrown 0

At a confluence of footpaths in the NE corner of Hyde Park, not too far from Marble Arch, is a circular mosaic that marks the […]

What’s the story behind ‘London Bridge Is Falling Down’?

21/01/2026 donbrown 0

You know the nursery rhyme, but do you know – or do you just think you know – the origin of the verse. Here are some of the theories.

The ‘Southwark Needle’ and the Grisly History of London Bridge

12/01/2026 donbrown 0

Why the great long stone spike at the Southwark end of London Bridge might not mean what you think it does.

ribbons on a red metal gate. The shard in the background

Cross Bones Graveyard and the Outcast Dead

09/01/2026 donbrown 0

Across Southwark Street, a few hundred metres from the insanely busy Borough Market, is a little oasis of calm and mortality called the Crossbones Graveyard. […]

snip from the agas map of london with the london stone marked

Myths and Legends of the London Stone

07/12/2025 donbrown 0

Embedded into the wall of 111 Cannon Street, just over the road from the railway station, is a portland stone receptacle around a metre and […]

grave stone of "giro" dog of german ambassador leopold von hoesch outside 9 carlton house terrace london

The Myth of ‘London’s Nazi Memorial’

02/03/2025 donbrown 0

Eavesdrop on some guides at the top of the Duke of York’s steps and you will hear them talk about the ‘Nazi dog’ that is […]

The Myth of the Tower of London Ravens

04/02/2018 donbrown 0

Just about everyone knows the legend of the Tower of London ravens; that should they leave the fortress then it and, by extension, the entire […]

Stuff About London

A blog on London history - and other stuff

The ‘dead parrot’ statue in Greenwich is not what you think

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The Mystery of the Reformers’ Oak

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What’s the story behind ‘London Bridge Is Falling Down’?

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The ‘Southwark Needle’ and the Grisly History of London Bridge

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Cross Bones Graveyard and the Outcast Dead

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Myths and Legends of the London Stone

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The Myth of ‘London’s Nazi Memorial’

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The Myth of the Tower of London Ravens

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