Statue of Charles the First
The statue of King Charles I, looks down to the site of the scaffold, in Whitehall, where he was beheaded one winter's day in 1649.
It is said to be one of the three best equestrian statues in the world.
The site on which the statue stands is the original Charring Cross - it was here that Eleanor's cross stood. Here also stood the scaffold on which the men who beheaded the king, were executed.
The statue is by Hubert le Sueur and was made in the king's lifetime for an earl's garden. The sculptor's name is on the horse's hoof.
Weather Vane - Banqueting House
Another secret and hidden part of London's history can be seen on the roof of the Banqueting House - the only part of the Palace of Whitehall still standing.
This building witnessed the beheading of one king; the return from exile of another and the departure and exile of the last Stuart king - James II.
The weather vane on the roof was erected by James ll so he could check the wind's direction. Unluckily, for him it blew from the east, a 'Protestant Wind' bringing William and his army to depose the Catholic
James. William later ruled jointly with James's daughter, Mary
Execution of Charles the First
The bust of Charles l on the wall above the door of the Banqueting House, marks the spot where he walked out to meet his fate at the end of the executioner's axe, at 2 PM on 30 January, 1649.
A man called Richard Brandon is believed to have beheaded King Charles I - he received thirty pounds - paid in half-crowns, for his task and said the money was the dearest he'd ever earned, for it would cost him his life.
He died, full of remorse in the same year, although, the crowd waiting to see his coffin, shouted insults with some calling for him to be hung or buried in a dunghill.
Horseguards Clock
The clock on the top of Horse Guards has a black mark on the face at the figure ll (2) to mark the time of King Charles the First's execution.
The King had spent the previous night at The Chapel Royal, St James's Palace (every year on January 30 which marks the anniversary of the kings death, members of the Royal Stuart Society retrace the monarchs route to the scaffold from St James's Palace to the Banqueting House in Whitehall.)
On the snowy morning of his execution, Charles I, walked through St James's Park to Whitehall and then with one word Remember he laid his head on the block.
Secret Passage to 10 Downing St.
Number 10 Downing Street - the Prime Minister's home has a secret, hidden Tudor passage - it lies behind the plain exterior of the Cabinet Office at number 70 Whitehall.
Cockpit Passage was used by the young Henry VIII to get to his indoor tennis court where he competed in games of real tennis.
The red brick-lined Tudor Cockpit Passage was part of Henry the Eighth's royal palace of Whitehall and is still in daily use as it links the Cabinet Office to the Prime Minister's office inside Number 10.
Queen Mary's Steps
Walk up the side of the Banqueting House and past the front of the Ministry of Defence to the Thames-facing side of the building - there you will find a little-known London hidden treasure.
Queen Mary's Steps provided access from Whitehall Palace to the royal barges on the river Thames. The Thames in those days came up to the site of Queen Mary's Steps and the palace kitchens were regularly flooded.
(The contributor of the photo is PAUL FARMER)© Copyright PAUL FARMER and licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence
Henry the Eighth's Wine Cellar
The perfectly preserved Tudor Wine Cellar, from Henry VIII's Whitehall Palace is hidden away under the present day MoD building in Horse Guards Avenue.
The wine cellar, was built in 1536 and measured 70 by 30 feet. Each year, 300 massive barrels of wine would arrive from France via the Thames - Henry VIII loved lavish entertaining and he enjoyed the reputation that his magnificent court gained.
Unfortunately, the building beneath which Henry VIII's Wine Cellar rests now houses the MoD and is extremely difficult to be granted a viewing.
The Cenotaph - Whitehall
On Armistice Day in 1920, during the ceremony to unveil and dedicate the Cenotaph in Whitehall - a march past took place and according to Geoff Harland, the Regimental Sergeant Major of the Guard Regiment faced with a gathering of highly decorated and high ranking military men, decreed that all would salute the Cenotaph as they passed by placing their hand over their medals, signifying that "No matter what honours we may have been awarded they are nothing compared with the honour due to those who paid the supreme sacrifice".
Many mistakenly believe they are placing 'Hand over their Heart" in Respect fof their Fallen Comrades"
A Short Walk Along Whitehall, London
At first glance, Whitehall doesn't appear to hold many hidden, secret places with connections to London's historic past - the name alone, is synonymous with government departments and buildings - the seat of power for centuries; with the only colourful exception being the mounted guards at the entrance to Horseguards Parade.
But the whole area is built on ancient foundations and in the Banqueting House of Whitehall Palace, our history has more than once been decided. Here, it is said, came Oliver Cromwell to look at the dead king and here on a stormy night he died himself. Here the last of the Stuart Kings crept away and long before then, it was the scene of Cardinal Wolsey's rise and fall; here he lived with 800 servants and his cook who wore satin and velvet and a chain of gold.
Start your short Whitehall Walk at the equestrian Statue of Charles I in Trafalgar Square and look out for the hidden and little - known London treasures on your way. Tube: Charring Cross
