Designed by the famous architect, Christopher Wren,
The Monument is one of London's best-kept secrets. It is located in the City of London so is well off the usual beaten track of tourist attractions and yet it offers those who make the effort some of the best views in the capital.
This 202 feet tall column was built to commemorate the Great Fire of London which swept through the City of London in 1666 destroying everything in its path. The height of The Monument represents the exact distance from where it stands to where the fire started, in a baker's on Pudding Lane.
The Monument has recently undergone a major refurbishment program, which included upgrading the viewing platform and cleaning all the stonework. It now stands proud once again and visitors can test their fitness and endurance levels by ascending the 311 steps to the top of the column. Those who persevere are rewarded with panoramic views over the city and the chance to see London from a very different perspective.
Whilst other lofty landmarks such as the London Eye and Saint Paul's Cathedral are usually swarming with tourists and locals, this lesser-known monument is generally far quieter and it is also a much cheaper way to scale great heights for a whole new aspect of London. It also offers the ideal opportunity to explore the rest of the City, which is literally bursting at the seams with historical buildings.
