Cleopatra's Needle, London

Cleopatra's Needle has a remarkable history, which had very little to do with Cleopatra. It shares its nickname with two other obelisks situated in New York and Paris, all originally built in Heliopolis in around 1460BC at the command of Pharaoh Thutmose III. The original Hieroglyphics carved into this granite monument praise Thutmose, and later inscriptions were added by Ramesses II.

Cleopatra then had it moved to the Caesareum Temple in Alexandria in 12BC. Given to Britain in 1819 to commemorate the victories of Sir Ralph Abercromby (1734-1801) and Lord Nelson (1758-1805), the government refused to pay to have it transported to England until 1877 when Sir William Wilson forked out. Moving a 224 ton stone obelisk is easier said than done; storms struck and six crew drowned. A commemoration plaque is mounted on the monument's base. When it was finally erected, a time-capsule was buried containing a bizarre selection of items including: children's toys, hairpins, coins, four bibles, a railway guide, a portrait of Queen Victoria and 12 photos of the best-looking English women. Whilst there's not much to 'do' there, if you're in the in area it's worth stopping for a look. It is flanked by two bronze sphinxes, Victorian versions of the traditional Egyptian models. 

Cleopatra's Needle

Victoria Embankment, London WC2N 6