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le: Strange and Little-Known Facts About the Streets of Britain The streets of Britain are steeped in history, culture and tradition. From the cobbled lanes of medieval towns to the bustling high streets of modern cities, there is always something unique and fascinating to discover. Here are some strange and little-known facts about the streets of Britain:
1. Pudding Lane, London Pudding Lane is a small street in the City of London that gained notoriety in 1666 as the site of the Great Fire. The fire started in a bakery on Pudding Lane, where the owner failed to put out the fire in his oven before going to bed. The blaze quickly spread, consuming thousands of homes and buildings in its wake.
2. The World's Steepest Street, Wales The steepest street in the world is located in the Welsh town of Harlech. Ffordd Pen Llech has a gradient of 3
7.5%, which means for every 100 meters you travel, you'll gain a height of 3
7.5 meters. The street is so steep that cars have been known to slide backwards down it.
3. Roman Roads Many of the roads in Britain were originally built by the Romans over 2,000 years ago. These roads are still in use today and can be identified by their straightness and the fact that they often follow a direct path between two major towns or cities.
4. The Black Death, Eyam During the Black Death, the village of Eyam in Derbyshire quarantined itself, with residents remaining in the village to contain the disease. The village's main street, which is still in use today, formed the boundary between the infected and non-infected areas. Despite losing over half of its population to the plague, the village's actions are credited with preventing the disease from spreading further afield.
5. The Oldest Recorded Street, Colchester The oldest recorded street in Britain is located in the town of Colchester in Essex. The street, called East Hill, is believed to have been built around AD43 during the Roman occupation of Britain. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction, with visitors walking in the footsteps of the Roman soldiers who once marched along its cobbles.
6. A Street with Two Names, Edinburgh Victoria Street in Edinburgh is known as the ‘Street with Two Names’. This is because the street has two levels, with one end of the street being much higher than the other. As a result, the upper level is known as Victoria Street, while the lower level is known as West Bow. The street is a popular destination for visitors due to its colorful buildings and unique architecture.
7. The Longest Street in the UK, Great Yarmouth The longest street in the UK is located in the town of Great Yarmouth in Norfolk. Regent Road measures a whopping two and a half miles in length, and was originally built in the 19th century to provide a direct route between the railway station and the seafront. In conclusion, the streets of Britain are rich with fascinating history and unique quirks. From the Great Fire of London to the Black Death, there are many stories to be told about these once-quiet backstreets that have now become the bustling hubs of modern life.