The Monument, London

Standing tall at the corner of Monument Street and Fish Street Hill is one of London鈥檚 most dramatic memorials: The Monument to the Great Fire of London, or simply The Monument, if you鈥檙e short on time (or breath after the climb).

This towering tribute to catastrophe was dreamed up by Sir Christopher Wren and his scientifically-minded pal Dr. Robert Hooke. Built between 1671 and 1677, it marks the spot鈥攚ell, almost. The fire started 202 feet away in a bakery on Pudding Lane, and wouldn鈥檛 you know it, the column stands exactly 202 feet tall. Coincidence? Absolutely not.

Crafted from elegant Portland stone, The Monument is a fluted Doric column crowned with a dramatic golden urn of fire鈥攂ecause subtlety is overrated when you're commemorating one of London's biggest disasters. And it鈥檚 not just a pretty face: for a brief time, this beauty moonlighted as a scientific instrument, designed to observe stars and study gravity. It didn鈥檛 revolutionize astronomy, but scored points for ambition...

If you're feeling brave, you can climb all 311 spiral steps to the top viewing platform, 160 feet above the city streets. The reward is the sweeping views of London and a mild cardio workout. Not in the mood to huff and puff? No worries鈥攖here鈥檚 a live feed from the top waiting for you at ground level. Elevation without exertion.

And don鈥檛 miss the dramatic bas-relief at the base, which shows King Charles II and the Duke of York dressed like Roman emperors heroically overseeing post-fire cleanup. This is because, perhaps, in their day, nothing said 鈥渨e鈥檙e back, baby鈥� better than togas and symbolism...

Today, The Monument is both a striking photo op and a sturdy reminder of London鈥檚 ability to rise from the ashes鈥攍iterally. Open daily from 09:30 am to 1 pm and from 2 pm to 6 pm (yes, it takes a lunch break), it鈥檚 an easy stroll from other big names like the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and Borough Market.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in London. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The 黑料吃瓜网 App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: The Monument
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

City of London Walking Tour

Walking Tours in London, England

Create Your Own Walk in London

Creating your own self-guided walk in London is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Shakespeare's London Walking Tour

You might know him as 鈥渢he Bard,鈥� but to England, William Shakespeare is practically the patron saint of poetic plot twists. Born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon to John Shakespeare, a glove maker and town official, and Mary Arden from a prosperous farming family, young William started life with ink in his veins and Latin on his mind. Grammar school likely gave him his first taste of rhetoric.... view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles

Covent Garden Walking Tour

A shopping and entertainment hub on the eastern fringes of London's West End, Covent Garden is a district historically associated with the former fruit-and-vegetable market 鈥� currently a shopping spot popular with locals and tourists alike.

Once a slum area, today the north of the district is given over to independent shops centered on Neal's Yard and Seven Dials. Both places offer... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles

London Introduction Walking Tour

London: the capital of England, heart of the UK, and international heavyweight in history, culture, and sheer charm. Its name comes straight out of Rome. Londinium was founded circa 43 AD as a trading post. Then came Queen Boudica in 61 AD, who, let鈥檚 say, didn鈥檛 care much for Roman urban planning and burnt it to the ground. But Londinium wasn鈥檛 one to stay down鈥攊t bounced back,... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles

Kensington/Knightsbridge Walking Tour

Situated just below Hyde Park, Knightsbridge and South Kensington are two adjacent neighborhoods with grand Victorian homes and leafy garden squares. Home to London鈥檚 most expensive homes, Knightsbridge has some of the highest density of millionaires in the world. This is clearly reflected in the selection of stores & restaurants in the area, including the famous Harvey Nichols and Harrods... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles

South Bank Walking Tour

London鈥檚 South Bank, stretching along the southern side of the River Thames, roughly between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, is one of the most interesting and liveliest parts of the British capital. Here, London鈥檚 old soul and modern edge shake hands... and then probably go grab a pint together. Famous for its arts, culture, food, and scenic riverside walks, the area has a long and... view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles

Jack the Ripper Walking Tour

Jack the Ripper, an unidentified serial killer who terrorized the British capital in 1888, became notorious for the series of brutal and gruesome murders that he carried out in the East End of London. The primary setting for the Jack the Ripper attacks was Whitechapel, at the time a poverty-stricken and crime-ridden district, known for its dark alleys and narrow streets.

The name "Jack the... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles

View all walking tours in London, England

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip

London Souvenirs: 18 Distinctively British Products for Travelers

Most visitors to London consider shopping as part of their must-do London experience. From street markets to Victorian arcades to snobbish Sloane Square to busy Oxford Street, there are a host of shops selling items which typically represent this vibrant city. Whether you are shopping for souvenirs...