In this episode, which is the 2nd in Danny´s Monopoly Game series. Danny reveals the secrets and incredibly long and varied history of the joint cheapest property on the board – the Old Kent Road.  He explains where the army tank that was located on the street disappeared to, why the nearby roundabout is still known as the Bricklayer´s Arms and the real reason black cab drivers won´t go south of the river after midnight, as well as revealing an unlikely spot on the Old Kent Road, which gives you fantastic views of the city.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• In 1415, King Henry V of England, partied with his troops in what is now Curry's.
• The Old Kent Road was built by the Romans and was called Watling Street by the Anglo-Saxons.
• The street was once home to what was once the biggest gas holder.
• There is a weird connection between Old Kent Rd, the cheapest property, and Mayfair, the most expensive on the board. Listen to find out what it is.
• There is a great cheap market just off Old Kent Road. Danny tells you where.

BEST MOMENTS

‘(My sister and I) would snigger at the idea of either of us winning a beauty contest. ´

‘ (The Old Kent Road) was the very path that Chaucer´s pilgrims took.’

‘The car park of Curry´s affords some of the most spectacular views of the city.’

EPISODE RESOURCES

Bank of England Inflation Calculator - https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/monetary-policy/inflation/inflation-calculator

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, 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…