We all know that London is one of the busiest cities in the world, and its transport system is no exception. Every day, countless items are left behind on buses, trains, and other forms of public transport. Fortunately, London Transport’s Lost Property Office is there to reunite passengers with their lost items. In this article, we will explore some of the most interesting facts about the Lost Property Office and its services. So, let’s get started!
1. The Lost Property Office has stored over 15 million items!
Since opening 89 years ago in 1933, the Lost Property Office has processed and stored over 15 million lost items.
2. Unusual items are found that you might not expect.
Over the decades, the Lost Property Office has received an incredibly wide range of lost objects, from everyday hats, bags and toys to unusual items including a skeleton, a mattress, and a grandfather clock!
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3. The Lost Property Office is in South Kensington, London.
After 86 years at 200 Baker Street, in 2019 the Lost Property Office was moved to a new building in South Kensington.
The London Underground map existed before this! Read more here.
4. Items are given different coloured labels.
When lost items reach the Lost Property Office, they are given a label.
Yellow labels are for things found on a bus, white are for things found on a train or Tube.
But why are some items given red labels?
Find the answer in the Easter family trail at London Transport Museum from 2-18 April!
5. The most common lost item is a mobile phone!
80 years ago, the most commonly lost objects were gloves and umbrellas.
These days, itβs mostly mobile phones that end up in the Lost Property Office.
How many different patterns have you spotted on London’s transport?
6. Eddie the Gorilla is the mascot of the Lost Property Office.
Lots of cuddly toys are left on buses and Tube trains and end up in the Lost Property Office.
One, Eddie the Gorilla, became a mascot of the Lost Property Office and was even featured in a 2017 TfL poster advertising the Night Tube service.
But what makes Eddie so special?
Find out in London Transport Museumβs family trail this Easter!
7. Lots of toys are donated to charities.
Every year, Transport for London donates hundreds of new, unclaimed children’s toys from the Lost Property Office to charities such as The Salvation Army, so that they can find a new home with children who need them.
8. Two books have been inspired by The Lost Property Office.
The weird and wonderful world of the Lost Property Office has inspired two childrenβs books, Edie and the Box of Flits by Kate Wilkinson, and The Lost Property Office by Emily Rand.
9. Most items are found on London buses!
In 2021, over 187,000 objects were found on London buses.
Read about The Garden Seat Type Horse Bus from over 100 years ago!
10. A roundel is on display made up of lost items.
On display at London Transport Museum, you can see a roundel – the iconic symbol of Londonβs public transport – made up of toys and gadgets from the Lost Property Office.
Do you want to find out more?
London Transport Museum: Lost and Found
During the Easter holidays, discover the curious world of London Transport’s Lost Property Office with a fun family trail at London Transport Museum.
You can discover more fun facts!
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