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Protected: A potted history of cabs

6 June, 2017 Gibson Square

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London's cabs

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My memoir is available on Amazon

"Had me laughting aloud in places...

a feast for anyone with an interest in London."

At the front of the rank

Where to, Gov?

Cabology

  • As London expanded and more bridges were built across the Thames, the use of horse-drawn Hackney carriages superseded the water taxis. The innovation of a cab rank along the Strand made the carriages easier to find and became a focal point for drivers looking for fares. Meanwhile man-powered sedan chairs were the choice for shorter journeys 5 April, 2026

London Cabbie Bloggery

 

Why spend money in a cab listening to whingeing from your cab driver, or having him fill your head with useless London trivia, when you can sit in comfort and read it here for free?

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Awards ’n Stuff

Time Out
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All About You! podcast
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Avis Travel Blogger nominee
Top 40 London Blog
Top 75 London Blog

On the meter

free website hit counters

passengers have entered my virtual cab here since February 2009

In my opinion . . .

  1. London is like a smoky pearl set in a circle of emeralds.

    William Henry Rideing (1853-1915), In the Land of Lorna Doone

    London in Quotations: William Henry Rideing

    30 March, 2026 Gibson Square 4 Comments
More quotes →

Frequent fares

  • Previously Posted: Lost Bits of London Bridge
    Previously Posted: Lost Bits of London Bridge
  • About
    About
  • Buying a black cab as a private car
    Buying a black cab as a private car
  • Walking the first Run
    Walking the first Run
  • The Knowledge
    The Knowledge
  • The London Grill: Mark Monroe
    The London Grill: Mark Monroe

Regular passengers

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  • Unknown's avatar
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Blogs worth hailing

  1. A London Inheritance
    Beetleypete
    Bowl of Chalk
    Bug Woman in London
    Diamond Geezer
    Exploring London
    Ian Visits
    Londonist: Time Machine
    London Shoes
    Look Up London
    Mapping London
    Memoirs of a Metro Girl
    Spitalfields Life
    The Great Wen
    The London Dead
    The Street Names
    Tracing London

    3 September, 2020 Gibson Square Leave a comment
More links →

The Shelter Sleuths Saga

On The Meter

"What a delight! This is a rapidly unfolding story with intrigue, an enjoyable romp around London, several quirky but endearing characters, and some slightly scary technology ripped from the daily news. It is a great read, with London history and sights for us distant London fans. It also offers insights for those of us fascinated by the London taxi cab culture. I was left eager for more. Knowing the Shelter Sleuths have another case in the works leaves me at the curb patiently raising my arm to get the next ride."

Click the cover to buy

The Trembling Lady

London's first serial killer for well over a century is stalking the streets, can the Shelter Sleuths prevent the next murder?

They have a description.

They know the date.

But where it will happen - and why?

Frank, Colin, Tom and Donna will have to work hard to solve the killer's clues, making sure they don't become victims.

Click cover to buy

Worth reading on the rank

Sixteen Sixty-Six

By J. J. Fielding

Set in the days leading up to, and during the Great Fire of London, mixing fictional characters with real life historical figures, Sixteen Sixty-Six is a tale of love, loss and above all, the importance of never giving up, even in the face of adversity.

Click cover to buy

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UNBLOGGED LONDON

A sporadic newsletter chock full of London snippits which should have appeared on CabbieBlog if I had got round getting them uploaded.

Tomorrow's Anniversary

  • ‪5 April 1968: Flight Lieutenant Alan Pollock became the first pilot to fly a jet aircraft (Hawker Hunter) under the span of Tower Bridge‬ 5 April, 2026

Thames21

Working to transform Thames Basin into a healthier, more climate-resilient region with rivers that everyone can enjoy. None of the city’s rivers are in good health, and the region faces increasing risks due to climate change, nature loss and rising social inequality.

Thank You, G’vnor

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