Discover The Monument with a range of articles, podcasts and activities for the whole family.
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Learning at The Monument
Are you studying the Great Fire of London?
UK schools can now book a self-guided visit to The Monument, climbing the 311 steps to the viewing platform, to take in stunning views across London to the limits of the Fire's reach, and beyond.
We take school pre-bookings on Monday - Thursday at either 10.00 or 10.30 (subject to availability). We are currently accepting bookings until Easter 2025.
Email bookings@towerbridge.org.uk with the details of your visit and we will get back to you about visiting The Monument.
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History of The Monument series
Daniele Middleton, accredited guide at The Monument, takes you on a journey through the history of The Monument to the Great Fire of London.
Episode 1
Discover the events events leading up to the Great Fire, which devastated the City 1666, and the subsequent rebuilding of the City of London.
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Episode 2
Daniele continues by discussing the design of The Monument, its architects, Sir Christopher Wren and Dr Robert Hooke, and its construction between 1671 and 1677.
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Episode 3
We continue this tour through the history of The Monument looking at the four panels that adorn the plinth including Caius Gabriel Cibber's iconic frieze.
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Episode 4
In the final episode, Daniele explores some of the stories from the history of The Monument, including scientific experiments, suffragettes and a mouse.
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Listen: A history of England in 100 places
The Monument to the Great Fire of London has been included in Historic England’s ‘Irreplaceable: A History of England in 100 places’ campaign.
The list aims to highlight 100 places, buildings and historical sites that tell the remarkable story of England and its impact on the World. The Monument was nominated by the public for the category ‘Loss and Destruction’ and selected by classicist Mary Beard. It was highlighted that The Monument stands as both a commemoration of the devastating fire and a celebration of the City being rebuilt.
Mary Beard said The Monument is “one of the most lasting memorials to a disaster ever, which is still written into the street scenes, geography and place names of modern London.”
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Suffragettes and The Monument
Discover the connection between The Monument to the Great Fire of London the Women’s Social Political Union (WSPO), better known as the Women’s Suffrage Movement and the monument mayhem that ensued.
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Related content
Learn about the history of The Monument and how the the Great Fire began in a bakery just 202 feet away.
Discover who was Sir Christopher Wren, one of the architects behind The Monument to the Great Fire of London and London's most famous architect
This page will answer your questions on who carved the sculpture on The Monument and what the carving on the base of The Monument means.