Description: The Monument a tall stone pillar is situated in central London and was built to remember the Great Fire of London in 1666. It is 61m (202 feet) high and is based close to wear the fire started. It is actually based on the junction of Monument Street and Fish Hill Street, close to Pudding Lane (where there is a plaque).
If you come here by London Underground, use Monument tube station (District and Circle Lines) and follow the signs in the station to make sure you get the correct exit. You can’t miss it as you come out of the station.
The Monument is every day from 9.30am to 5.30pm (extended by half an hour either way in summer months) and the last admission is always half an hour before close. It costs £3 for adults, £2 for concessions and £1.50 for children and you enter through a narrow door and pay your money to the man on the desk. Pick up a leaflet if you want to know more about is, as there is no information inside.
The Great Fire of London began in 1666 at a bakery on nearby Pudding Lane, and lasted for almost five days, spreading rapidly through the over-crowded, timber-built city, leaving any homeless and destitute. Many churches were destroyed, including the original St Paul’s cathedral. Whilst the death count was low, the number of people who had lost their livelihoods and homes was massive (estimated 100,000) Sir Christopher Wren, who designed the new St Paul’s cathedral and many other key buildings and churches, in association with his assistant Robert Hooke was asked to design a monument to remember the Great Fire and as a tribute to the new city.
Built in 1671-7, The Monument is 15 feet in diameter and therefore it is quite narrow inside. The spiral staircase is stone and solid, so you feel perfectly safe as you climb the 311 steps. It is well lit, and there are narrow windows providing natural light. Whilst the steps are solid and feel secure, you can see down the monument, from the top, if you lean over the bannister. There are no passing places, so breathe in as you pass someone coming the other way, but it is not so narrow as to be a problem. I made it to the top much quicker than I expected, although slightly out of breath and with wobbly legs. This is a good place to get a 360 degree view of London, although buildings in the area, are also getting increasingly taller. The viewing platform is secure with a metal fence all around it, and over your head. From here you can see Canary Wharf, Tower Bridge, St Pail’s and the Shard amongst other sights. It can be quite windy up here and you are open to the elements. After taking some photos we went back down again, and as you exit, you are presented with a certificate.
I have to say that I think the monument is well worth doing. It I only suited for those who can walk up stairs, as there is no other access to the top. The admission price is cheap and money goes towards maintenance and restoration when needed.
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