Within a year of Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert dying of typhoid fever at the age of 42, it was determined that a national memorial be created to recognise the British public's deep sense of loss.

Just across the road from the Albert Hall, the memorial of the seated prince was open in 1872. Adorned with a series of 13th Century influenced 'Eleanor Crosses' and 187 carved figues in a frieze, the best way to really see the monument is by taking the tour.

Public tours run at 2 and 3 pm on the first Sunday of the month from March to December. There's no need to book unless there's a group of you. On the day, meet on the road side of the memorial.

Not always used for good, the German bomber and Zeppelin pilots used the memorial as a landmark in the first World War.