Oxford Street Beavers
A common line often repeated for London (and plenty of other big cities) is that you’re always within 6ft of a rat. Whether that’s actually true, I’m far more interested in looking up at these furry creatures on Oxford Street.

Above 105-109 Oxford Street, crane your neck right to the figures at the top.

Which, on closer inspection, are beavers.


The reason for their presence can be found around the back of the building, on Hollen Street.

Henry Heath
This large building was the premises of Henry Heath’s Hat Factory. Established in the 1822 Heath’s hats were made with felted fur from beaver otters, rabbits, hares and musk rats. Apparently no small furry animal was safe.
Hat manufacturing was big business in the 19th century when English fashion dictated that everyone wore a hat. The type was also key to defining your social status; top hats for gentlemen, bowlers for the upwardly mobile industrialist and flat caps for lower class.

Advertisement from the British Library of Henry Heath’s hats c.1884.
With the change in fashion and decline of hat-wearing, Henry Heath’s went out of business around the 1930s. So now it’s only the sadly-doomed creatures which record the history of this once flourishing trade.
Look again at the middle rodent and you’ll see the initial ‘H’ on the shield he’s holding.

For more on the history of hat making in London (and why we have that phrase ‘Mad as a Hatter’) click here.
More London Inspiration
If you're on the hunt for things to literally look up to, you can do no wrong with these beautiful sights. How many have you visited?...
The oldest democracy in the world, based in a building with parts from the 11th century. If only those walls could talk. Thankfully, with the help of a Parliament guide they sort of do. Here's 10 things I learned from a guided tour of Parliament....
Often listed as one of the greenest cities in the world, London is blessed with 8 Royal Parks and surrounded by woodland. However, I've made a list of the more esoteric green places to visit in central London, spots with an interesting tale or simply in an unexpected place....
Whether it's a colour-pop Kensington townhouse or a dilapidated one in Shoreditch, they always seem to hint they've got some more to tell you....
There's 47 churches within London's square mile. Each with their own history and often some special quirk up their sleeve. From ancient relics to pop-up gardens and cutting edge sculpture to 17th century shoes, there's plenty of surprises to be found......
It's tough curating a museum of death and destruction. Here are my highlights from an introductory tour...
Stewart Francis
What an interesting piece, Katie. I must try to seek out that item when I am in Oxford Street. Though I deplore many aspects of modern life — I left my youth behind ‘a few years ago’! — it is at least reassuring that, at least in England, such cruelty towards these poor creatures, and simply for hats, is abhorrent to most people. Not that we don’t still have a long way to go yet in our relationship towards the animal kingdom.
Katie Wignall
Enjoy looking up Stewart! Yes it’s nice to know that the beavers can sleep soundly, at least in terms of headwear!