The commemorative stone column conceals a secret laboratory.

One of Oxford's greatest treasures likely belonged to the legendary King Alfred the Great.

Used as an example in one of the first dictionary entries for "museum" in 1706.

Ancient Egyptian wigs, South American feather headdresses, a bounty of anthropological artifacts in Oxford.

Home to the most complete dodo remains known - one head, and one foot.

The site of the notorious Great Train Robbery of £2.6 million, one of the biggest heists in English history.

A mysterious shape catches the eye in this 16th-century painting.

A menagerie of curiously bred creatures.

A 15th-century former coaching inn forms the implausibly grand entrance to a 1980s shopping mall.

These 90-year-old murals of local kings, Vikings, and outlaws hide in plain sight in a beautifully baroque shopping arcade.

This enormous "cloth of the conquest" depicts the Norman invasion of England in mind-blowing detail.

This Viking gravestone carved in a rare runic style was dug up from a London churchyard.

The walls and streets of the ancient city are peppered with penises.

Historic fortifications form the boundary of Vatican City, but it’s not entirely surrounded by walls.

A statue of the legendary Celtic warrior queen who fought the Roman invaders stands in one of the cities she once destroyed.

Tucked away in the Tower of London is the weapon once used to execute high-profile prisoners.

It appears as if a man is standing behind this giant airport clock, painting the hands in real time.

The "lost friend” is the most famous of the six moai statues that were removed from Easter Island.

A giant roundabout made up of six smaller roundabouts can befuddle the uninitiated.

The incredible private taxidermy collection of an eccentric zoologist.

This 11th century tower is said to be the oldest building in Oxford.

A 26-foot shark sculpture—a statement about bombs—set off a municipal battle royale.

Lord Byron's embalmed body lies within this medieval church.

This unusual geoglyph was built as a warning so low-flying aircraft wouldn't scare the zoo animals.