In this episode, which is the 15th in Danny Hurst´s whirlwind history tour of the places on the London Monopoly board he takes a look at Strand; the street where the gunpowder plot was hatched and the home to several spectacular palaces.

He reveals the origins of Savoy operas, why you have to exit and enter the hotel by driving on the right and why the Roman baths are not what you think they are. You´ll also learn about the first house in London to get a number and the street´s connection to one of the world´s biggest cigarette brands.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The origin of the name is related to an old term for a riverbank.
• Somerset House, which is located on the Strand, has been used in many different ways, which Danny talks us through.
• The famous bath house off the street is not as old as we have been led to believe.
• Chunni the Asian elephant, who used to perform at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, once lived on the street.
• To approach the entrance of The Savoy you have to drive on the right.
• The live version of “No Woman No Cry” was recorded at The Lyceum.
• The Strand is the location of several London firsts.

BEST MOMENTS

‘It just sounds stupid not to say the Strand. ´

‘Visitors have to see it through a window as it can only be viewed by appointment.’

‘Big Benzene is the largest clock face in the UK.’

EPISODE RESOURCES

Shop for all official versions of Monopoly here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/page/785DC233-0A69-4DF8-98E9-4F50CC50A59E

HOST BIO

Historian, performer, and mentor Danny Hurst has been engaging audiences for many years, whether as a lecturer, stand-up comic or intervention teacher with young offenders and excluded secondary students. Having worked with some of the most difficult people in the UK, he is a natural storyteller and entertainer, whilst purveying the most fascinating information that you didn't know you didn't know. A writer and host of pub quizzes across London, he has travelled extensively and speaks several languages. He has been a consultant for exhibitions at the Imperial War Museum and Natural History Museum in London as well as presenting accelerated learning seminars across the UK. With a wide range of knowledge ranging from motor mechanics to opera to breeding carnivorous plants, he believes learning is the most effective when it's fun. Uniquely delivered, this is history without the boring bits, told the way only Danny Hurst can.

CONTACT AND SOCIALS

https://instagram.com/dannyjhurst
facebook.com/danny.hurst.9638

https://twitter.com/dannyhurst 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-hurst-19574720

Podcast Description

"History is a nightmare from which I am trying to awake." James Joyce.

That was me at school as well. Ironically, I ended up becoming a historian. The Unusual Histories podcast is all about the history you don't learn at school, nor indeed anywhere else. Discover things that you didn't know that you didn't know, fascinating historical luminaries and their vices and addictions, and the other numerous sides of every story.

We start with the Monopoly Series, in which we explore how the game came to be, the real-life connection between the cheapest and most expensive properties, the history of each location, how proportionate the values were then and are today, what the hell a "community chest" is and whether free parking really does exist anywhere in London. 

If you love history; or indeed if you hate history, this is the podcast for you…