The view
Designed by Sir Christopher Wren and Robert Hooke and completed in 1677, this fluted Doric column of Portland stone commemorates the Great Fire of London. You climb a tight, continuous spiral of 311 steps to a caged platform just below the gilded flaming-urn finial.
The platform gives close, open-air views over the City, the Thames, Tower Bridge and the surrounding streets, though modern towers now crowd some sightlines. Everyone who completes the climb can collect a certificate.
How to get there
Monument Underground station (District and Circle lines) is yards away at the foot of Fish Street Hill; Bank is a short walk and London Bridge is across the river.
Height of the viewpoint
Caged viewing platform at ~48.5 m (160 ft), reached by a 311-step spiral staircase. Total column height 61.6 m (202 ft) — the tallest isolated stone column in the world.
