In this episode of ‘How London Was Built’, Adam Hart-Davis takes us on a whistle-stop tour of London’s monuments, tombs and places of worship.

Adam begins his journey at Wren’s Monument – the tallest free standing stone column in the world. As well as commemorating the Great Fire, this colossal column served another purpose: it was used by fellows of the Royal Society in a series of experiments. Although traffic vibration prevented them from continuing this practice, the society managed to transform the monument into a giant telescope before they were finally forced out. He also explains that an addition to the monument’s plaque which blamed Catholics for the fire would fuel the dangerous fires of sectarianism in London for 150 years.

Adam then strolls to Cleopatra's Needle, where he investigates the myths surrounding London's oldest monument. The needle, which dates from 1475 B.C., is allegedly a memorial to Cleopatra and Julius Caesar's son. He tests this theory by attempting to decipher the hieroglyphics which adorn the monument’s trunk. He also looks at the astonishing feat of Victorian engineering that saw a 186 ton obelisk towed from Alexandria to London on an ingenious iron pontoon.

Adam then addresses the ‘Victorian folly’ of the Albert Memorial, outlining the incredible amount of statuary included in its design. He delves into the controversy surrounding the memorial’s construction costs, drawing interesting parallels with modern day monumental projects like the London Eye and the Millennium Dome.

Religious buildings are the next structures which come under the Hart-Davis microscope. From the Temple of Mithras to the Central Mosque, these edifices form some of the best known landmarks of our city, they are an integral part of the fabric of London.

At Westminster Abbey, Adam reveals how our medieval ancestors used pioneering engineering techniques to construct this extraordinary building. He also looks at the startling geometric designs of the Hawksmoor churches, attempting to unravel the mysteries surrounding them. Once again, Adam proves himself to be a mine of intriguing trivia, as he explains how the design of St Brides came to be replicated on wedding cakes across the world.

A visit to the Neasden Temple, which is the largest Hindu temple outside India, prompts an examination of the incredible logistical operation behind the building’s erection. European limestone was sent to India for ornate carving before being brought back to the UK to be inserted into the building. Finally, Adam discovers a unique corner of West London that looks more like Kiev than Kensal Green.