Victorian London

1
Victorian London

• In 1837, Victoria became queen at the age of 18.
  The time while she was queen is called the
  Victorian era. At this time, London was the heart
  of a powerful Empire. The city was busy with
  trade and industry, and it grew fast. Better
  lighting, plumbing and transport developed, too.
  By the time Victoria died in 1901, London was a
  very different city.

2
Ships on the Thames

• In Victorian times, the River Thames was crowded
  with ships. Sailing ships were replaced by new
  steam-powered ships or steamers, many of which
  were built in London. People took trips in penny
  steamers along the river.
• Other ships brought goods to London from all over
  the Empire. Huge new docks were built for them.
  Nowadays, these docks are used by pleasure boats.
  The old dock buildings have been turned into
  offices and apartments.

3
New buildings

• Much of modern London was built in Victorian
  times. Hundreds of new houses were built as the
  city grew. Many grand buildings, such as Saint
  Pancras Station, date from Victorian times, too.

4
Slum houses

• Poor people often had to live in run-down slum
  houses. Children had to make money by begging or
  sweeping chimneys. In 1870, a law was passed
  saying all children had to go to school.

5
Railways

• The railways changed London forever. Journeys
  became much quicker, bringing many parts of
  Britain within reach of the capital. People could
  live outside London and travel to work in the
  city by train.

6
The Underground

• In 1863, the worlds first Underground railway
  opened in London. It was powered by steam and ran
  between Paddington and Farrington. This was the
  start of the Underground system we use today.