Bringing London's Statues to Life

Ashley Rossi is always ready for her next trip. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram for travel tips, destination ideas, and off the beaten path spots.

After interning at SmarterTravel, Ashley joined the team full time in 2015. She's lived on three continents, but still never knows where her next adventure will take her. She's always searching for upcoming destination hotspots, secluded retreats, and hidden gems to share with the world.

Ashley's stories have been featured online on USA Today, Business Insider, TripAdvisor, Huffington Post, Jetsetter, and Yahoo! Travel, as well as other publications.

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "A reusable filtered water bottle—it saves you money, keeps you hydrated, and eliminates waste—win-win."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: "A week in a bamboo beach hut on India's Andaman Islands."

Travel Motto: "Travel light, often, and in good company."

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Window—best view in the house."

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No, it’s not jetlag or one pint too many. That statue did, in fact, just speak to you. This summer, Sing London, a non-profit arts organization will be turning 35 of the city’s statues into talking tales of the past. Part of an initiative to “lift the nation’s spirits” these historical spots in London (and Manchester) will be chatting away all season long.

Visitors will hear recognizable British actors’ voices by swiping a smartphone over a sign beneath the statue, which will then call the phone and play a monologue. Hear Dominic West as Achilles, Jeremy Paxman as John Wikes, and Prunella Scales as Queen Victoria. You’ll be able to listen to history starting August 19.

Here’s where you can hear the stories of four famous (fictional and real) Brits:

Peter Pan

Located in Kensington Gardens, the statue of Peter Pan will tell its story through the voice of actor Daniel Roche. The statue stands near where Peter Pan’s author, J.M. Barrie, lived and published the story, and where Peter flies out of his nursery.

Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes has been played by 75 actors in over 200 films. Hear yet another take on the brilliant detective by Ed Stoppard, outside the tube at Baker Street Station.

Queen Victoria

Manchester’s statue of Queen Victoria in Piccadilly Gardens will now have the voice of the famous Fawlty Towers actress, Prunella Scales. Fun Fact: This particular Widow of Windsor is only one of two Queen Victoria statues out of hundreds with speaking capabilities (the other will be in London on Blackfriars Bridge).

Isaac Newton

Simon Russell Beale gives voice to the statue of the famous scientist hunched over in the piazza of the British Library.

Sing London is also behind the hilarious “singing trash bin” that sings whenever anyone throws anything away. And this summer, it will also bring back (for six weeks) its popular street pianos and outdoor ping pong tables.

See a full list of the Talking Statues Speak Their Minds initiative here.

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(Photo: Tom.Bricker via flickr/CC Attribution) (Photo: amandabhslater via flickr/CC Attribution) (Photo: Bookmouse via flickr/CC Attribution) (Photo: ubershibs via flickr/CC Attribution) (Photo: Istvan via flickr/CC Attribution)

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