Unfinished Business: The Monument
I’m ashamed to say after more than three decades in this wonderful city, I had not been up the Monument. Today we got our act together and climbed the 311 steps to the viewing platform of this most handsome column, bequeathed us by Sir Christopher Wren and Robert Hooke. It costs £3 and when you return to ground level, they give you a rather nice certificate to commemorate your feat. The Monument was erected in six years between 1671 and 1677 to commemorate the Great Fire of London. It is at its own height in distance (202 feet) from the bakery in Pudding Lane where the fire started.
The panorama from the viewing platform near the top is as agreeable as you might expect. There is a particularly fine view of Tower Bridge just downriver and the all-but-complete Shard to the south. As you peek down across Lower Thames Street you can see the Wren church of St Magnus Martyr with its magnificent old clock (1711). This is where old London Bridge traversed the Thames (its current incarnation is about a hundred yards upstream).
First time I hear from the monument! I will visit it next time in London!
It may not be as tall as the Shard but with £3 admission compared to £25 for the Shard, its a lot cheaper to go to the top!
St Magnus the Martyr one of my favourite City churches – look out for a bit of the Roman river wall on display in the churchyard
Yes, saw that. I always pop by if I’m in the area. Inside is interesting too, with the model of old London Bridge, Miles Coverdale tomb, etc.
Or, you could go to the top of Westminster Cathedral in Victoria for free.
Thanks, Dawn. Great suggestion. I walk past there at least once a month for London Historians’ monthly drinks at the Windsor Castle behind the place. I like the hoopiness of the building. Is it true that it is still technically unfinished?
We pass the Monument several times a week and I have photographed it I don’t know how many times but have never been up it. Your piece is an encouragement to me to do so. Well, to think about doing so, anyway!
Nice picture of the spiral staircase – I have a bit of a thing for photographing staircases myself and know a good one when I see it!
Do give it a go, ST. Much cheaper than the gym and immensely more interesting.
my mum and i climbed that back in the early 80s. I was about 10. She had broken her pelvis and was still on crutches. She hobbled up and sat down on the way down. Bumped down like toddlers do. I don’t remember getting a certificate, my mum should have got a medal!