London's High Rise Stables

Located beside Paddington Station, the Great Western Railway's former 'Mint' stables were once a multi-storey home for horses!
The buildings are now part of St Mary's Hospital, and in this video we'll be exploring the story behind this unusual complex...
Thank you so much to all of you who've left kind comments recently; I've received a great many, and I really have enjoyed reading them all.
I'd also like to take this opportunity to welcome all new subscribers; it's wonderful to have you here!
If you haven't yet subscribed, I'd appreciate it very much if you could please consider doing so as this- along with clicking the bell icon- will ensure you don't miss out on any future content.
Likes and shares are also very welcome as they really do help the channel to grow.
And if you're feeling generous, you can leave a tip on my ko-fi page: any donations will of course be deeply appreciated, and will go some way to helping me create new content:
ko-fi.com/robslondon
Thanks again friends... stay well, and please be sure to stay tuned! :-)
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Links:
My Etsy Store, robsonlinedesigns:
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/robsonli...
My books:
The Knowledge: Train Your Brain Like a Cabbie:
www.quercusbooks.co.uk/titles...
Waterloo: A History of London's Busiest Terminus:
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My website:
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Credits:
Music used in this video:
Twilight Train (Dan Lebowitz)
The Six Realms (I Think I Can Help You)
Water Droplets on Water (Kevin MacLeod)
Ipanema Daydream (Bird Creek)
Horse and Carriage Sound Effect: Fantasy Realm
Historic Map: The National Library of Scotland
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[@johnorchin8567]

That was fascinating. I’ve never heard before of the Mint Stables, more videos like this one will be very welcome. It’s incredible to think about what an important part horses played in the everyday life of London all those years ago.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks so much for the kind words John, really appreciate it. Stay well.

[@paulmerryman]

Amazing to see what once was Rob. Wouldn't of fancied being one of the first patients, I imagine the pong lingered for a while.

[@Robslondon]

Yep! 😂

[@stevegee7593]

I have two stories. Frist told to me by my Dad he started work collecting horses from a stables underneath Bishops Gate station and take them to the West end riding bareback. 2nd when I was around 6/7 (1953/4) the baker still delivered with a horse. Then he was given an electric cart. He complained bitterly stating the he could deliver faster with his horse. all he had to do was load his basket with 3 or 4 delivers and the horse would follow him.

[@Robslondon]

Brilliant comment and memories Steve, thanks so much for sharing.

[@SteveMikre44]

A slice of history that will not soon be forgotten thanks to this episode...🇬🇧

[@Robslondon]

That means a lot to me Steve, thank you so much. Stay well.

[@mikereilly5005]

Hi Rob How on earth did you find out about these stables and ramps? I'm born and bred in notting Hill, have visited St Mary's hospital on numerous occasions, know the surrounding area better than most, I used to teach scuba diving in the hospitals pool at weekends, and despite all that once again you show me a part of my local area I had no idea about, and as usual so well researched. Great stuff Cheers Mike

[@Robslondon]

Thanks Mike! It was something I picked up from my London cabbing days ;-) Cheers and stay well.

[@99IronDuke]

My fathers first job aged 14 after WWII was as a vanboy on a horse and cart for Southern Railway. He loved his big shire horse and used to get him extra good food at the fruit and veg markets.

[@Robslondon]

Beautiful comment; thanks for sharing.

[@MrCliverlong]

Really interesting and well put together material. I never thought about how much London needed horses and the supporting infrastructure , even at the start of the 20th Century. Thank you.

[@Robslondon]

Much appreciated Clive, thank you.

[@hellie_el]

my goodness, that was so interesting and sooooo well done! you're a born historian AND journalist! the footage of london 1903 was just incredible. thank you, rob. :)

[@Robslondon]

It's a pleasure as always; thank you- from the bottom of my heart- for your incredibly kind words :-)

[@thewrecker3140]

Hellie el , what a beautiful comment. All the best Robs dad.

[@davidw1518]

Another amazingly well-researched video, about something I knew absolutely nothing about, even though, when we first met, my (now ex-)wife was working at St Mary's. 10 out of 10, Rob, well done!

[@Robslondon]

Thanks David! The stables are hidden in plain sight; easy to miss ;-)

[@JonniePolyester]

Another fascinating vignette of London’s social history! Brilliant

[@Robslondon]

Thank so much Jonnie :-) Stay well mate.

[@SlurpyDave254]

It's madness Rob, 600 horses in there. Blimey, love the St scene of the pub next to the horse hospital. Cracking video👍

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Dave! It’s a lovely pub, you need to get yourself down there if you haven’t already! 😉

[@ChrisSmith-ls7mb]

Hello Rob Great video. Love this area. The Paddington basin is a favorite area to walk. My grandfather was born at St Mary's Hospital in 1903. I love Mews. We stayed a couple of times at the Lancaster hotel and you can see the mews that are still being used for horses, that are used to ride in Hyde Park. Looking forward to the next video. Take Care Chris and Sandra of Canada.

[@Robslondon]

Gosh; your Grandfather was born when the stables across the road were at their height! Thanks as ever for the lovely comment :-)

[@PaulMcCaffreyfmac]

Tremendously interesting and engaging, as always. Having been born in '53 I can remember (just about) horse drawn coal lorries in Kensington, and brewer's drays as well.

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Paul, lovely to have such memories 😊 Stay well

[@JP_TaVeryMuch]

I am a regular visitor to both Pad and St. Mary's and whilst staring out of the window in a hospital waiting room one day, had put two and two together and was delighted to be told so by the consultant. One of my regular appointments is even in the doctor's second floor office in one of the former stable block wings. I know that they have two more legs than we, but those ramps are indeed much much steeper than you'd like, be you horse or man, after a hard day's plodding about town.

[@Robslondon]

Great comment J P, thank you

[@CitiesForTheFuture2030]

I love horses. I knew about them being involved in every aspect of human lives before the automobile, but didn't think much about the logistics involved in feeding, housing & caring for them. Thank you for this video.

[@Robslondon]

It's a pleasure; thank you so much for watching. Stay well.

[@gevaraven8132]

Part of Camden Market is in an old horse hospital. The horse stalls are still there and each trader has their wares within a stall. The floor is original you can still see and feel the original building’s purpose. It’s quite beautiful

[@Robslondon]

Yes, you’re quite right. I would love to cover it at some point.

[@tonycox5625]

I had no idea of the existence of these stables, another brilliant and informative video Rob! 👍😊

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Tony; they're worth a look ;-)

[@Kimmy-pw8tm]

I love all of these artefacts and history. I wish I could afford a trip to England and shown places like yours Rob. Melbourne Australia 🇦🇺.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks so much Kimmy :-)

[@timdaugherty5921]

You have the most soothing voice I have ever heard ever!!! Dont loose it))

[@Robslondon]

That's so kind of you to say Tim! Thank you my friend, much appreciated :-)

[@williamevans9426]

These ramps do, indeed, seem very steep; imagine a horse climbing this gradient or (perhaps worse) descending. And to think the stables were active 'til 1955!

[@Robslondon]

Thanks William... yes, it's crazy isn't it ;-) Stay well.

[@williamevans9426]

@@Robslondon 'Same to you. Best wishes from a great fan.

[@Robslondon]

@@williamevans9426 Much appreciated William, thank you so much. I'm blessed to have such lovely fans as yourself ;-) Stay well.

[@waynedexter3446]

Wonderful research as always. So many things about the even quite recent history of London you will not have considered. Well done!

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much Wayne 😊

[@Zlorthishen]

nice stuff. makes me feel like i'm back on my college trip to London

[@Robslondon]

Lovely comment J F, thank you so much :-)

[@mamnisel4815]

I worked at St Mary's Hospital for over 20 years in the Mint Winand most days walked up those slopes.but never knew it was a stables,very interesting!!

[@Robslondon]

They are certainly a well hidden in plain sight secret 😉 Thanks for the lovely comment, much appreciated!

[@andyeveritt9003]

another great video Rob on a subject not thought about much today in London my grandad had a horse and cart delivering all sorts around London and the horse new the way to all the pickup and drop off points as my grandad was partially blind the horse did most of the steering theres the Camden market stables if there still there again thanks Rob and all the best

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Andy, that’s a really moving comment. Thanks mate and stay well.

[@jonhelmer8591]

I walk past this place a couple of times a week, fascinating, thank you!

[@Robslondon]

Thanks so much for the lovely comment Jonathan :-) Stay well.

[@2H80vids]

Fascinating stuff Rob. The horses having a drink, then wandering up to bed left a wonderful picture in my head - dumb animals eh?😁

[@Robslondon]

Thanks ;-) And yes; they're better than humans, bless them.

[@SLane249]

Another gem, thanks for sharing.

[@johnbacon1854]

Hands down a right little gem of a film..... I was amazed at how stable that old footage was..... and so happy you didn't have a sore throat... being a little hoarse for this one would of been so ironic..... Del Boy would be proud of this one and all those trotters..... Jokes aside, I had never heard of ths place and that was really enjoyable. Amazing what was tucked away up these alleys and side streets years gone by. Stay safe, best wishes to you and family.

[@Robslondon]

Ha ha! Great comment, cheers John 😉 Best wishes to you and your folks too; thanks again.

[@dougknight1720]

Thanks Rob. Another little Gem of the many curiosities around London. Great research as usual. Great job mate.

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Doug 😉

[@louisegalczynski1543]

Another great video Rob! I had no idea this once existed - so fascinating!

[@Robslondon]

Thanks Louise, glad to be of service! 😉 Stay well

[@Theoobovril]

This video was particularly interesting for me because my Great Grandfather worked at these stables looking after the horses, one has to wonder, "Was there a shot of him in this video"?...Added to this, whilst watching this video I actually picked up a slight smell of horses....how strange.

[@Robslondon]

Such a lovely comment, thank you. It means a lot to me that someone with your connection to the stables has seen the video :-) Thanks and stay well.

[@kildogery]

Really interesting, thanks mate. I lived in London for the best part of a decade. I'll need to visit again soon. It never leaves you

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Paul, and very true indeed. Hope you get back soon.

[@raindancer6111]

The building used by Electrowerkz at Torrens Street, near the Angel has horse ramps inside. I know this place has been a metal works but I was once told by an elderly relative that it was once stabling for hansom cab horses. Inside you could see that there was once an open cobbled central yard, later roofed over. Might be worth a look, but it's so long since I've been there that it may have been modernised and ruined by now. Multi storey horse parking.

[@Robslondon]

That's brilliant Rain Dancer, thanks for sharing! I know exactly where you mean but had no idea about that :-) Thanks again.

[@johnsharp8632]

I loved this video Rob. The Mint stables must have been fascinating to see in their heyday (or should that be hayday). I imagine the horses that worked for the GWR, and Breweries for that matter, were the lucky ones as they were clearly looked after very well. I remember enjoying two visits to the Youngs Brewery in Wandsworth many years ago. They were still making local deliveries by horse drawn drays in those days. The tour included a visit to the stables to see the magnificent Shire horses, one of which was reputed to be Britain's tallest horse. They also stabled a donkey as company for the horses. On one visit, just before Christmas, the donkey was absent, as it was visiting local schools as part of their nativity services. What a fantastic gesture.

[@Robslondon]

What a brilliant comment John; the bit about the donkey has made my day!

[@SK22000]

You always get the most interesting things from history, thanks Rob!

[@Robslondon]

Much appreciated, thank you :-)

[@mykul8151]

Of course, wonderful video. Will be in London 3-12 June, looking forward to checking out some of the pubs and other areas. The Euston road was nice to see, been to London 20+ times, mostly staying not far from your opening shot at the Pullman.

[@Robslondon]

Great to hear Mykul, hope you have a great time :-) And thank you so much for the kind words. Stay well.

[@timdaugherty5921]

Do you offer personal tours ? I am coming to London in 2 weeks for the first time! I would love a walking tour of some places!

[@Robslondon]

I do Tim, yes... please feel free to drop me a message! [e-mail]

[@simongee8928]

There is a building in Norwich that was originally a stable and forge. The ramp leading to the first floor stabling still exists.

[@Robslondon]

Brilliant 😊 Norwich is a great city, love the architecture there

[@arriesone1]

Another fantastic insight Rob into London’s fascinating and mesmerising past. Loved it.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much :-) Glad you enjoyed it.

[@viviennejordan215]

What a Great video, a different point of view of London! Loved the facts on the Horses. Thank You So Much for opening up the Capital, So Fascinating, 'The Knowledge' Led You, and us, to So Much More!

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much Vivienne 😊

[@sharonleong7120]

Another great video. Loved it once again. Thanks Robert.👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️

[@Robslondon]

Thank you Sharon! Your support means a lot to me; stay well.

[@clivefelgate9802]

Thanks for another fascinating video. Given the traffic congestion then it does look like much has changed. Keep safe. C.

[@Robslondon]

Ha ha! Yes it looked worse in a way back then didn't it Clive! Cheers ;-)

[@philrougier5533]

Fascinating history as always. There are still quite a few stables hidden around the backstreets of central London to this day, mainly used by the police. I remember peering through the open door of a stable and being confronted by a police rider who was grooming her horse. I used to work at Courage brewery in Reading. The medical center was located in what used to be the underground stables (I guess the nurse in the medical center also wanted you to be in a stable condition before you left?). That too had a ramp with wooden runners for the Shire horses to get up and down easily. Perhaps with the price of fuel nowadays, it may be a good practice to bring back some of these traditions, providing the animal's welfare was top of the list of course...

[@Robslondon]

Great comment Phil, thanks- enjoyed reading that. Stay well.

[@AlecFlackie]

Thank you very much for your fascinating videos, I'm a recent subscriber and dedicated Londoner. I work in St Mary's and know Mint Wing (sorry Stables) well and have always wondered at the ramps. It never occurred to me. Being a 'horsey' person every time I visit I will think of the ghosts of the horses that lived there (in particular Mary). Seeing the title I thought of Knightsbridge barracks, isn't that also a multi-storey stables? Anyway, thank you Rob for your videos, god help anyone who asks me to pub quiz trivia questions about London.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much Alexander; what a lovely comment- it made my day :-) You may well have seen me walking around there filming the other day! Yes, one or two people have mentioned the Knightsbridge barracks, I don't know to be honest but it wouldn't surprise me at all if they are multi-storey. Thanks for subscribing too; great to have you along ;-) Cheers and stay well.

[@michaelpotter4425]

So amazing been to St Mary's and never new 🍻

[@Robslondon]

It’s a secret hidden in plain sight 😉

[@alanchriston6806]

Fabulous Rob 😊🏴‍☠️

[@Robslondon]

Thank you Alan 😊

[@Jpkjr52]

Thanks again John in Chicago

[@Robslondon]

Cheers John.

[@DustyEmma]

Thank you so much for the story… Great information

[@Robslondon]

It's a pleasure Nick, thanks for watching!

[@johncochrane2707]

Another excellent and fascinating video Rob, I really loved this one!

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much John. Stay well.

[@lydialen6881]

Another really interesting video. I didn't know anything about theses stables. Thank you.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much Lydia :-) I was amazed when I first discovered them; a real historical gem. Stay well :-)

[@corinnecoombs2956]

Fabulous!

[@Robslondon]

Thank you Corinne!

[@basfinnis]

What a cool upload! That's so interesting. I've had a few evenings in that Friend in Hand pub but didn't see that building next to it. I'm glad to see London black cabs still drenching pedestrians, gaw bless ya guvnor 😛

[@Robslondon]

Ha ha! Must’ve been a good night Basil if you didn’t notice it! 😂 Cheers and stay well

[@nicholaswalker2494]

Cheers Rob something very different but really interesting ,even horse’s had apprentices 😁keep safe 👍

[@Robslondon]

Thanks so much Nicholas 😉 Stay well.

[@butchknapman3939]

Rob, yet again another very interesting video, so much detail. When i read London's high rise stables my thoughts went straight to House Hold Calvary at Knightsbridge. How wrong i was Its good to know that so detail of a bygone era still survives

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Butch 😉 Hope you’re keeping well mate

[@darriendastar3941]

LOL. That's exactly what I thought this was going to be about, too. I'm so glad it was about the Mint Stables, though, because it's a brand new location and bit of London history.

[@douglasthompson296]

@@darriendastar3941 I think most of us all thought that! Cheers DougT

[@douglasthompson296]

Think that was the first thing in most folks thoughts. Cheers DougT

[@elguapodelmonte215]

Nice Robbo, the "high rise horse stables" (HRHS) could be a great solution for Inner City Racetracks (like Randwick) where ground space is limited, where the land is so highly sought after, they'll spend billions, just to get there quicker.

[@Robslondon]

😂

[@thevjoiners]

Another great video - thanks Rob! The canal museum in kings cross has a horses ramp in it.

[@Robslondon]

Many thanks! And I didn't know that about the canal museum, thanks for sharing ;-)

[@thevjoiners]

@@Robslondon it used to be used as an ice store, back in the day. It’s a great little museum now

[@michaelford4460]

Hi Rob, Just found your channel, brilliant interesting video. Thank you.

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Michael; so glad you found the channel; lovely to have you here! :-) Thanks for the kind words and stay well.

[@marcpearce3166]

Another fantastic and interesting video always look forward to the next one 🤘

[@Robslondon]

Thanks so much Marc 😉 Stay well

[@beckymurray80]

I’m so glad this channel came up on my feed! I’ve been visiting London a lot during lockdown from Bristol. Getting more interested in the history and architecture. You put your videos together so well (sound effects add to the atmosphere).

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much Becky, that means a lot to me. Bristol’s a fantastic city too by the way; I lived there for some time many years ago 😉

[@marh5005]

Thanks

[@Robslondon]

🙂

[@kittyj55]

Thanks for another wonderful and fascinating video! I'm so glad I found your channel!

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much Cat :-) Glad you found it too; it's great to have you here!

[@taradiane]

New subscriber (London's smallest house brought me here)....this is fascinating! I've been to London multiple times so this is all fascinating to me. :)

[@Robslondon]

Bless you Tara, lovely to have you here ☺️ Thanks for the kind words and stay well.

[@Gargoiling]

Thanks for this! I doubt it's news to you but there's the old Whitbread stables on Garrett Street, EC1. I passed the statue of Jacob the horse on the site of the old Courage brewery in Southwark the other day. I understand they had a stables nearby although I don't know if it's still standing. I guess the brewing industry must have used an awful lot of horses! Generally, I wonder how many buildings in London have some connection with the brewing industry.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks Mike, interesting thoughts. And yes, I know Jacob 😉 Cheers and stay well

[@Gargoiling]

You're welcome, Rob, and same to you!

[@sarahlouise7163]

lovely!

[@Robslondon]

:-)

[@laurencesmith2199]

I had a small op in the Mint wing , I thought the ramps were for wheelchairs and gurneys . I also worked in North Wharf Road for a while . Good post son .

[@Robslondon]

Much appreciated Laurence, thanks. Stay well.

[@laurencesmith2199]

@@Robslondon I'm a Jockney bud . I passed through this toon going on holiday when I was 14 and fell in love with it . Still am .

[@Robslondon]

@@laurencesmith2199 My other half is from Glasgow ;-) Cheers Laurence; really appreciate the kind words.

[@douglasthompson296]

Hi Rob, fabulous content. It's amazing to think about the infrastructure of days gone by for horse drawn transport. All I could think about was lots of Stepto and Sons yards🙄 I wonder how long it took to get rid of the horsey aromas before it became a hospital wing 🥺Now I guess there is only the Royal Mews and Cavalry barracks and mounted police within central London? I wonder where Hyde park horse riders stable their mounts? Cheers DougT in Mancs

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Doug; good point about the smell of the stables! I imagine it took a long time- I've heard it took about a decade for the old Billingsgate market to completely loose its fishy smell! And I was keen to use the old Steptoe and Son jingle on this video... but sadly not sure the BBC would allow it ;-) Stay well mate.

[@douglasthompson296]

@@Robslondon yuppers those folk buying old horse boxes for conversion to motorhomes face that problem too, its the pee mostly 🧐 if it's a wooden floor that's easy to replace I hear. I worked with a young guy and he wanted a better life so (encouraged by me) he joined up and was accepted into the Household Cavalry on the Chelsea Embankment. It took a long time for his mum to accept his decision as she was in the Civil Service same as her lad, Tom. At 19 he could always go back to the humdrum but he stuck it out and was as happy as a pig on the dodah 😎 cheers DougT in Mancs

[@Robslondon]

@@douglasthompson296 😁

[@MatthewExplores]

really enjoy your videos they are credit to social media

[@Robslondon]

Thank you Matthew, that’s very kind of you to say; much appreciated.

[@bobbybigboyyes]

The Home of Rest for Horses was in Borehamwood, a few hundred yards from my home, just under a mile from Elstree Studios. I used to go there most weeks as a kid. Sadly it's no longer there, as the land was used for housing.

[@Robslondon]

Yes, I remember going there as a child, so sad it’s gone now

[@bobbybigboyyes]

@@Robslondon Oh wow Rob, what a small world! My g/f in America and I watched a ton of your videos tonight! Great stuff mate!!

[@Robslondon]

Thank you! @@bobbybigboyyes

[@bobbybigboyyes]

@@Robslondon Your videos have more information and have far more research than Joolz Guides! Keep it up Rob!

[@Robslondon]

Gosh! Thank you! @@bobbybigboyyes

[@PawsOfTheSphinx]

That's really interesting. My great grandfather used to work there and I was looking for more information. Your video was really helpful.

[@Robslondon]

It’s a pleasure! Always a real treat when I hear from someone whose family has a connection with a site 😊 Thanks and stay well.

[@cherylchapman6163]

Fascinating Rob. Would you consider hosting a private or public tour around the City or East-end? You bring old London alive, and I for one would absolutely love a tour with your insights into buildings and monuments that we pass by daily without realising the rich stories and history behind them

[@Robslondon]

I have done small private tours in the past and am always happy to conduct them 😉

[@cherylchapman6163]

Awesome. My hubby and I quite regularly take an old walking guide and walk for miles rooting out old points of interest so it would be fascinating to get another perspective. What have been your favourite tours that you have hosted? I took a Ripper tour some years ago, cheesy probably but I loved it. 20 years ago we took an old book and visited all the Ripper scenes and took photos. There is something so compelling standing in a place that yields no clues as to what happened there, but your imagination takes hold

[@Robslondon]

@@cherylchapman6163 Thanks Cheryl :-) My real specialist subject is Waterloo Station. I've also done an 'American Westminster' tour, plus a tour of the Roman City of London.

[@SixthQuarter]

I always really enjoy your videos. Top work as always fella. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Richard; really appreciate your support. Stay well mate.

[@Montylondonproperty]

Great knowledge thanks for sharing brilliant..!

[@neilthehermit4655]

Thanks for another fascinating video. - How about a video relating to your previous career ?- The cabman shelters ?

[@Robslondon]

Many thanks Neil... yes, I have been considering that for a while so stay tuned ;-)

[@neilthehermit4655]

@@Robslondon Cool :-)

[@Mia-oj7ro]

Another great video! Thanks again Rob.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much Marie 😊

[@philclum1705]

Thanks!

[@Robslondon]

Much appreciated Phil! Thank you so much :-) Stay well my friend.

[@markames3688]

Cool!

[@Robslondon]

😁

[@richardsingh5827]

Interesting video, I went to pubs near there but never knew about the stables.

[@annenunney9907]

Brilliant thank you

[@Robslondon]

Much appreciated Anne, thank you :-)

[@domramsey]

Another great video.Have you considered making one about 'Lord' George Sanger? A fascinating character who lived (and was murdered) where I live ion East Finchley

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Dom…. Interesting, I don’t know about him. I do hope to make a true crime video soon but I’m not sure if it’s what people want! 😉 Thanks for the kind words and stay well.

[@domramsey]

@@Robslondon The murder is just a small part of his story, he was apparently hugely famous in his time. Worth a quick Google anyway. 🙂

[@Robslondon]

@@domramsey I’ve been looking him up since you mentioned him- fascinating stuff!

[@TheUluxian]

Keep 'em coming, Rob! Just booked my first trip across the pond for December, and I'm going to be using some of your vids to help act as my tour guide. I love arcane history, and your stuff is right up my alley. (Really looking forward to seeing the smallest house. If you try and street view it on Google Maps, there's conveniently a poorly timed bus in front of the camera! ) Thanks so much for all your effort!

[@Robslondon]

Thanks so much The Uluxian; lovely comment! Really pleased my videos can help in some way... you'll love it here in December (although as I'm sure you've worked out, bring warm clothes!) The smallest house is in fact rather tricky to film, due to traffic and its position. Viewing it is no problem though ;-) Cheers and stay well.

[@asheland_numismatics]

Love these videos! 😄

[@Robslondon]

Thank you as always asheland, really appreciate your support :-)

[@asheland_numismatics]

@@Robslondon always! 😊

[@Robslondon]

@@asheland_numismatics :-D

[@lynstoneham]

Very interesting

[@Robslondon]

Thanks Lyn 😊

[@jonathanspiller98]

The nightclub in torrens street, islington, was also a multi-storey building for housing london's horses. I remember it from the (19!) 80's. Electrowerkz/hire explains.

[@dannyvanstraelen3273]

Love your documentaries, very interesting and educating…

[@Robslondon]

That means a lot to me Danny, thank you.

[@ChineseGordon1956]

Another great video

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Ian.

[@thetragicyouth]

Lovely, quirky little film. I'm sure we can all think of someone in the public eye who seems to have the current "Contract for Manure"...! 😉 I may be mis-remembering here, but I'm fairly sure one of the main Jack The Ripper suspects drove a horse and cart for Pickfords (who were then a daily delivery service - more a courier than a removals firm).

[@Robslondon]

Ah, interesting I didn’t know about the Pickfords suspect!

[@thetragicyouth]

@@Robslondon Just looked it up: Charles Cross aka Charles Lechmere was a 'carman' (horse and cart driver) for Pickfords working out of a depot they had near Liverpool Street station. His route from home to work (routinely setting off in the middle of the night for a very early start) took him right past a couple of the murder sites, and the routes from his home to his mother's house and to the house where his ex-wife lived with his children took him past the other murder sites.

[@MarilynG1000]

Very interesting as usual. You really are very good at what you do.

[@Robslondon]

That means a lot to me Mia, thank you

[@georgepitchley3946]

Whitbreads brewery also had high rise stables in Chiswell Street, on the city of London, and the Metropolitan Police also has one in New Scotland Yard off of Whitehall place.

[@Robslondon]

Interesting, I didn’t know about the Chiswell Street stables, thanks

[@stephenduffy818]

Horses at old Scotland Yard still live upstairs today

[@user-ie1lz4oi3o]

Lovely vidoe,their is a interesting book which contains the mint tables,called gwr horse power.All the railway companies, would have stables at the London stations. It would be interesting to see if their is Anything left of them.

[@Robslondon]

Lovely comment, thank you. I didn't know about that book, will have to look it up. Stay well.

[@evelynwilson1566]

The trouble with manure is its great for the plants but most folk don't have the means to transport large amounts - and some certainly don't want to shovel it🤣. If they were offering to deliver, I bet the gardeners, allotment holders and park keepers of London bit their hands off😅.

[@Robslondon]

😂

[@ogreking2175]

I saw the title and thought it would be about the Met Police stables in Great Scotland Yard just off Trafalgar Sq. Are they still there? I was there 25 years ago and they had horses on at least three levels as far as I remember….and horse size lifts.

[@Robslondon]

Yes, that's a great subject too, Ogre King! As far as I know they're still there... If I remember rightly, you can hear the horses neighing in there when you walk past :-)

[@Kimmy-pw8tm]

I wish there was footage of the inside of the high rise stables when horses were using them.

[@Robslondon]

Yes, sadly I couldn't find any. In case you missed it, there's a short clip towards the end in which I film a corridor inside the hospital... might give you *some* idea what it was like if you imagine hay up there! :-D Cheers Kimmy; stay well.

[@rpmz11jockpatton45]

nice 'stuff' Rab. Knight's Bridge Barracks, home to the Household Cavalry, museum and stables would be de rigueur. Slain te'

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Jock ;-)

[@Bobrogers99]

Dealing with all that manure must have been challenging!

[@Robslondon]

Oh yes! ;-)

[@georgielancaster1356]

This was brilliant. Was the cliched horse mad little girl. I instructed when young. Still rescue animals. Became quite emotional at one point, and actually wept over all those horses, often not treated well. Rob may have brought it on, mentioning Black Beauty, because that book made me distraught for WEEKS, as a little girl. Totally traumatised me. I was momentarily sidetracked, by the mention of a contract for horse poo. Would I be there!!! Was it 80 horses for a year? My idea of bliss! Bring it on! I'll take 5 year's worth! Along with the huge amounts of dung on the streets, there were old and overworked and starving horses, collapsing and dying. Horses collapsed while drunken, rough owners beat them. Terribly traumatic. Very rare that anybody objected. As well as horses that broke legs, etc in accidents. As an animal lover, the streets could cause you immense trauma. I am told that a lot of horses were left to die and rot, hard to believe, as it is, because once rotten, they were easier to load in pieces. I'm sorry this is so inspeakable, but it seems that was reality, back then. About1905, cars being so new, not seen as likely to ever be popularly used or owned, one of the newspapers estimated that by1955, or so, horse poo would be 20' deep in the streets! Just imagine the vegie gardens! :-) We don't really think about it, but fashionable ladies were driven mad, trying to avoid getting poo on the edges of their long skirts. Very likely when you walked into a cafe or into one of those new department stores - if you popped into Fortnum's, one of the smells walked in by so many trailing dresses, was horse poo. A pot of tea, sandwiches - and the smell of fresh horse poo. To be truthful, I would rather love it. And horses were not alone, suffering in accidents. There was no driving on the left - you drove for any gaps you spotted. New, and young horses from the country were shying, jibbing, bolting... The sound of hooves came from every direction... The danger of an out of control horse could come from any direction... Many people were injured. Many children were injured and killed. Cars, for a while, actually reduced rates of injuries on the road. I don't know if it is apocryphal, but I was once told that the first 2 cars in some area, actually managed to run into each other, because neither would give way. There are still horses and donkeys needing help in Europe. There is a donkey resue on Crete, run by a Greek man and his NZ wife. They try to house ancient, neglected donkeys. They pay for vets, farriers to visit working donkeys, who would otherwise get no help. Old rural Greek families sometimes take a 25 - 30ish year old donkey, that has worked all it's life for this family, and some of these families take the donkeys into hardly inhabited rural areas, out of sight of roads, AND TIE THE DONKEYS TO A TREE AND ABANDON IT. No water, no food. Can't work - totally worthless, after 25 to 30 years work! So if you are fond of donkeys, check out that rescue, or Turkish donkey rescues, or Egyptian horse and donkey rescues. The bad days are still with us... I am sorry to be so depressing. But once you know it is STILL happening, you can never forget.

[@Robslondon]

A very beautiful and moving comment Georgie, thank you- although difficult to read being a great lover of animals myself 😢 Thanks and stay well.

[@georgielancaster1356]

@@Robslondon Maybe dwell on the joy of so much horse poo! Was the contract for collecting and TAKING AWAY POO or were you contracting to BUY poo? I suspect that poo was so ubiquitous, you would be paid to remove. That is like a far away dream... PAID to take horse poo... I get sheep poo from the chap down the road. From under his shearing shed - and give his children books. I have a few rescue sheep. But they poo anywhere and it is a total pain to pick up a cup full, here and there...

[@paulwheeler4283]

There is at least two examples both in Birmingham they are both two story former stable's with ramps still intact the first has layed abandoned for a long time while the second has a legal gun club using part of the ground floor and with rest belonging to a mixed community sports space and located in the area around a canal basin and a warehouses and industrial estate (former railway goods yard and Hockley Railway station) the first is located in Aston area of the city the second in the Hockley area of the city

[@Robslondon]

That's fascinating Paul, thank you. I didn't realise that (and I lived in Birmingham for a while!) Considering Birmingham's industrial heritage, it makes sense.

[@paulwheeler4283]

@@Robslondon you're welcome Rob I remember as a child trying to run up the ramp it was quite funny at the time and Birmingham has much fascinating industrial heritage you could spend years exploring it and you would still find something new each day I'd love to find a youtuber who explorers Birmingham's heritage in a way that you explore London's

[@Robslondon]

@@paulwheeler4283 Cheers Paul; so would I! If I were still living there I'd certainly do it! Stay well and thanks agin.

[@paulwheeler4283]

@@Robslondon you're welcome good sir that would definitely have been a wonderful thing to see thank you very much and you to stay well stay safe and stay awesome

[@mykul8151]

Those ramps seem awfully steep for a horse.

[@Robslondon]

I'm no expert, but yes they do seem so- it's hard-going for a person to walk up and down them!

[@Kimmy-pw8tm]

I feel sorry for the horses.

[@philrougier5533]

With all the horse-drawn vehicles in those far-off times, were there any carriage makers based in London, and, if so, are there any of the buildings still in existence or any parts of London named after them?

[@Robslondon]

There certainly would’ve been- like the horse hospital, mews and around Camden Town

[@JP_TaVeryMuch]

Until extremely recently the building used to store and maintain horse drawn carriages of the nobs of central London was still running as a high class car garage. It's just by Stamford Bridge stadium on Farm Lane in Fulham and finally caved in to the pressure of reuse as a fancy block of flats not five years ago after centuries of horsey high living.