The Green Icons of London: Cabmen’s Shelters to celebrate 150 years serving the capital’s taxi trade
Updated: 4 minutes ago
This year marks a major milestone in London’s history, as the Cabmen’s Shelters and their Fund celebrate their 150th anniversary. London Taxi PR (LTPR) has unveiled plans for a series of events to commemorate the occasion, recognising the iconic role these green huts have played in the capital’s transport landscape.
The anniversary launch took place at the Wellington Place Shelter in St. John’s Wood. This shelter, the first to be installed in 1875, now holds Grade II listed status. It is affectionately known as “The Chapel” due to its proximity to St. John’s Wood Church. The distinctive green huts, with their compact designs no larger than a horse and cart, have become a symbol of the city’s cab trade.
The concept of the shelters was the brainchild of Captain George C. Armstrong, then editor of The Globe newspaper. After struggling to find a cab one evening, Armstrong discovered many drivers were forced to seek warmth in pubs, leading to safety concerns for both passengers and drivers. Together with associates including the 7th Earl of Shaftesbury, Armstrong founded the Cabmen’s Shelter Fund to create a safe, weatherproof rest stop for drivers. Architect Maximillian Clarke was commissioned to design the structures.
Between 1875 and 1950, 61 shelters were constructed at key cab stands across London. Today, only 13 remain, with 11 still operational. Managed by the Cabmen’s Shelter Fund, these small huts continue to provide a place for London’s cab drivers to rest and enjoy affordable hot meals.
Andy Scott of LTPR and Cabmen’s Shelter Fund Trustee Colin Evans presented the plans for the year-long celebration, ensuring the enduring legacy of the Cabmen’s Shelters will be honoured.
Scott said: “To suitably mark and recognise the occasion of the 150th anniversary, we, London Taxi PR, in conjunction with the Cabmen’s Shelter Fund, will be staging series of events and visits by some interesting people who will be instantly recognisable, and have a connection with the profession.
“The Green Hut Taxi Shelters are, like taxis, an icon of London and England. They’re recognised worldwide, and many tourists and visitors to London are always intrigued as to what they are and what they represent. We hope the celebrations will not only be enjoyed but also seen as informative to the general public, so they can find out how the Shelters are connected to the profession, and importantly, that although the public can’t go inside, they can still purchase food and drink from the windows.
“It’s appropriate that we mark and recognise the anniversary and their historic connection to the taxi profession.”
