Description

Essentials about The Monument in brief

Officially, The Monument is actually called “The Monument to the Great Fire of London,” but that’s too long for any Londoner or tourist. As the long version of the name suggests, the monument commemorates the Great City Fire of 1666, which destroyed four-fifths of central London in four days.

The history and architecture of The Monument

The Monument was built between 1671 and 1677 as part of the reconstruction efforts after the devastating fire disaster. Architects were Robert Hooke and Christopher Wren, who also designed St. Paul’s Cathedral. The 61-meter Doric column is the tallest freestanding stone column in the world and is topped by a viewing platform and a gilded urn. The height of the column marks exactly the 61 meter distance between the stand and Thomas Farynor’s former bakery in Pudding Lane, where the fire broke out on the night of September 2, 1666. On the square base of The Monument there are reliefs and inscriptions commemorating the fire disaster.

The view from The Monument

Sporty visitors can climb the narrow spiral staircase inside the column, whose 311 steps lead up to the viewing platform, from which one has a magnificent view of large parts of London. By the way, the efforts of the ascent are rewarded after the descent with a certificate by name, which every visitor gets on the way.

Website

themonument.info

Opening hours

Opening hours Apr. – Sep.:

Admission fees

Adults: £4.50

Concessions: £3.00

Children (Ages 5 – 15): £2.30

Address

Getting there

By public transport:

Circle and District line: Stop Monument

Jubilee and Northern line: Stop London Bridge

Bus lines 15 and N15: Stop Monument (Stop H)

Bus lines 15, 763, 764, 765, 769, 770 and N15: Stop Monument (Stop J)

Bus lines 17, 21, 35, 43, 47, 133, 141, 149, 388, 521, N21 and N133: Stop Monument (Stop P)

Bus lines 17, 21, 35, 43, 47, 133, 141, 149, 344, 388, 521 and N21: Stop Monument (Stop Q)

By car:

The nearest parking garages are Q-Park Bucklesbury House and NCP Thames Exchange.