Don't miss all these facts about London history along the river from spies, MI5 MI6, Politicians and Millbank to Westminster and the houses of Parliament in Joolz's walking tour full of hidden gems.
MILL BANK
Mill Bank thus named because there used to be a big mill at the Westminster Abbey
19th Century - Millbank penitentiary.
Star Shaped based on ideas of Jeremy Bentham's panopticon.
Biggest prison in Britain designed so prisoners could be observed by a single watchman.
It famously held prisoners for transportation to Australia.
After it was knocked down it became Tate Britain built on the fortune made by Henry Tate from sugar cubes of Tate And Lyle.
Henry Tate was a famous Philanthropist and donated his own paintings.
Lambeth Bridge
London’s Horseferry 1513 between Westminster and Lambeth Palace. Only place in central london to cross with your horse.
Mary of Modena, James ii’s catholic wife escaped after the revolution dressed as washerwoman and waited under the tower for carriage to Gravesend.
It closed when Westminster Bridge opened.
In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban the triple decker night bus shrinks to get between 2 buses. Harry is on his way to Leaky Cauldron after a terrible holiday with the Dursleys
In Fast and Furious 6 it's used as Moscow!!
Captain Bligh is buried in Church of St Mary Lambeth.
The Pineapples or corns on top of monuments are for John Tradescant, Charles I’s gardener who grew first pineapple in England and is buried in church.
Lambeth Palace
House of the Archbishop of Canterbury since 12th century.
The 15th Century brick gatehouse is the finest Tudor example in England.
Ann Boleyn was interrogated here in 1536 and forced to confess to Bishop Cranmer.
Elizabeth i’s bishop was Mathew Parker.
Queen called him nosey because of his big nose and his taking interest in others business.
He was dug up and thrown in a heap in the garden during the commonwealth but then reburied after the restoration.
Gloves worn by Charles I are kept in here.
St Mary at Lambeth
They’ve renovated the garden
John Tradescant brought the tulip, plane tree and Pineapple to the UK.
Millbank
No.4 Millbank Studios is where the BBC make their political programmes.
Richard the lionheart was crowned in 1189.
He was in charge of his own army by the age of 16 and led a couple of rebellions against father Henry ii and spent most of his time on crusade.
He slaughtered prisoners on crusade
Only spent 6 months of reign in England and is the
21st great grand uncle of Elizabeth ii
Big metal doors on Millbank are - MI5
Intelligence agencies went up to 19 originally.
Mi 1 - Codebreaking
2 Russia and Scandinavia
Mi 3 Eastern Europe
10 weapons specialists.
All got mixed into those two
Music composed and performed by www.lillostlou.com/
Subscribe on KZfaq ➜ / joolzguides
Joolz Guides website to book a private tour ➜ joolzguides.com/
SUPPORT MY CHANNEL ON PATREON ➜ / joolzguides
DONATE TO MY CHANNEL WITH PAYPAL ➜ www.paypal.me/julianmcdonnell