Conceived in 1875 by the Earl of Shaftesbury, Cabmen’s Shelters were built throughout London to provide cab drivers with a place to get in out of the cold and have ‘good and wholesome refreshments at moderate prices’. More importantly, they were designed to keep drivers stationed near their cab stands and out of the local pubs. The Earl founded the Cabmen’s Shelter Fund, and between 1875 and 1914, the fund built a total of 61 shelters at a cost of around £200 each. Due to their location on public highways, the green shelters could not be built any larger than the size of a horse and cart, yet they still included a working kitchen and seated several men. Today, thirteen cabmen’s shelters can still be found around London and many shelters offer window service to members of the general public while the indoor seating is reserved for the local cab drivers.
- Cabmen’s Shelters
- (www.charitycommission.gov.uk)