Cabman's Shelters

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 01:25 BrendaKock	Having a grandfather who was a London cabbie c1905-1955 I have always been interested in the lore and history of taxicabs. On reading the Wikipedia article "Taxicabs of the United Kingdom" I learned of the "Cabmen's Shelter Fund". The charity was established in London in 1875 to provide refreshment and shelter for the drivers of hansom cabs and later hackney carriages (taxicabs), to use whilst working. I'll leave you to read an interesting description of these green buildings and their use on the community site www.urban75.org. There I learned that 13 of 61 such shelters still exist in London; they are all Grade II listed buildings and are still maintained by the Cabmen's Shelter Fund. I have put up pictures of the twelve cabman's shelters that a search has produced on this site so far. Seven of the twelve are in London - at Embankment Place, Russell Square, St George's Square, Temple Place, Thurloe Place, Warwick Avenue and Wellington Place - the others in Hitchin, Norwich, Nottingham, Ripon and Wakebridge and so there is a bigger story to tell here. The Wakebridge photo indicates the shelter was for tram drivers. What provision was and is made for those outside the capital - their construction and upkeep I wonder. I hope that other Geographers will locate and post pictures of the remaining six London shelters and possibly locate other drivers' shelters throughout Britain. quote 'Offsales are for all but only those with "the knowledge" get a seat inside.' and Also see
Sat, 24 Jul 2010 22:36 BrenOnt	Delete the Norwich cabman's shelter above - it is actually a closeup of the Ripon shelter, found above.

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 01:25
BrendaKock

Having a grandfather who was a London cabbie c1905-1955 I have always been interested in the lore and history of taxicabs. On reading the Wikipedia article "Taxicabs of the United Kingdom" I learned of the "Cabmen's Shelter Fund". The charity was established in London in 1875 to provide refreshment and shelter for the drivers of hansom cabs and later hackney carriages (taxicabs), to use whilst working.

I'll leave you to read an interesting description of these green buildings and their use on the community site www.urban75.org. There I learned that 13 of 61 such shelters still exist in London; they are all Grade II listed buildings and are still maintained by the Cabmen's Shelter Fund.

I have put up pictures of the twelve cabman's shelters that a search has produced on this site so far. Seven of the twelve are in London - at Embankment Place, Russell Square, St George's Square, Temple Place, Thurloe Place, Warwick Avenue and Wellington Place - the others in Hitchin, Norwich, Nottingham, Ripon and Wakebridge and so there is a bigger story to tell here. The Wakebridge photo indicates the shelter was for tram drivers. What provision was and is made for those outside the capital - their construction and upkeep I wonder.
I hope that other Geographers will locate and post pictures of the remaining six London shelters and possibly locate other drivers' shelters throughout Britain.