What were the streets of Victorian London like?

What were the streets of Victorian London like?

It had choking, sooty fogs; the Thames River was thick with human sewage; and the streets were covered with mud. “There were tens of thousands of working horses in London [with] inevitable consequences for the streets.

What was housing like in Victorian London?

The houses were cheap, most had between two and four rooms – one or two rooms downstairs, and one or two rooms upstairs, but Victorian families were big with perhaps four or five children. There was no water, and no toilet. A whole street (sometimes more) would have to share a couple of toilets and a pump.

What did Victorians call poo?

The streets of Victorian London were surprisingly free of dog poo. The old ‘muck = brass’ equation found its most revolting solution in the leather trade. The process of tanning required copious amounts of excrement, colloquially known as ‘pure’, which leatherworkers would rub into the hides.

What did street children do in the Victorian times?

Many worked with their parents at home or in workshops, making matchboxes or sewing. Children could also earn a bit of money as chimney-sweeps, messengers or crossing sweepers like the boy in this picture. Crossing the street in the 19th century could be dirty and dangerous.

What happened to the very poor in Victorian times?

Poor people – even children – had to work hard in factories, mines or workhouses. They didn’t get paid very much money. By the end of the Victorian era, all children could go to school for free. Victorian schools were very strict – your teacher might even beat you if you didn’t obey the rules.

What was the East End of London like in Victorian times?

During the Victorian era, the East End of London gained a reputation for crime and poverty, and was once described as “a terra incognito for respectable citizens.” Located directly outside the walls of the City of London rested the “hub” of the East End—Whitechapel. Whitechapel wasn’t always a slum.

Why is London so dirty?

One of the reasons why London may be perceived as dirty is its huge rat population. If you live or work in the city you are bound to have seen at least one rat scuttling down a street. Rodent control is a huge issue across the UK and especially in London where there is a particularly high population of rats.

What were workhouses in the Victorian era?

The Victorian Workhouse was an institution that was intended to provide work and shelter for poverty stricken people who had no means to support themselves. The exact origins of the workhouse however have a much longer history. They can be traced back to the Poor Law Act of 1388.