The Monument Is Like Climbing A Mountain

I managed to get my work finished by 2pm yesterday afternoon, which meant I could go and do some tourist stuff. I am after all the eternal London tourist and I was in the mood to get out and about in the city.

I had previoulsy  passed by the Monument when I was on the Ghost Bus Tour a few months ago and I made a mental note to go and visit it, when I was feeling fit enough to climb all those stairs. Well yesterday was the day when I was feeling fit, or so I thought.

The Monument, which is the tallest free standing stone column in the world, is an impressive looking sight. There are 311 leg trembling steps that need to be climbed to reach the viewing platform, which towers 160 feet above the streets below. The Monument itself is 202 feet tall.

I bought a combined ticket, which would also allow me to visit the Tower Bridge Exhibition for a measly £8, which is a bargain as far as tourist attractions in London are concerned.

I paid my money and started to climb those stairs, I thought it would be a piece of cake, I use to be fit and didn’t foresee any problems navigating a measly 311 steps. That was until I started climbing up that steep, narrow and winding staircase. I must have got about half way up when my knees and legs were hurting, as well being out of breath. I was feeling rail pain but there was no way I was going to stop before I reached the top. I’m still young and fit, whether my body thinks it or not!

I eventually made it to the top of the Monument and was the effort worth it? I guess it was, as the views from the top were pretty good. Lets just say if you suffer from vertigo, you will be frozen with fear as soon as you step out onto the viewing platform.

I spent about an hour up there taking in the views and watching the world go bye down below. The ambiance of the viewing platform on top of the Monument took a turn for the worst when a coach load of German tourists arrived. Thankfully coach tours have an agenda to go and visit loads of places on the same day and as a result the Germans were only there for about 10 minutes.

Just as I was about to head down the stairs of the Monument, an American couple who both looked to be in their 60’s arrived at the top hardly out of breath. I think I need to start exercising and get myself back into serious shape!

Fortunately going down was a hell of lot easier than coming up and receiving a free certificate to say I had climbed the 311 of the Monument was a nice touch.

The Monument was built between 1671 and 1677 to commemorate the Great Fire of London and to celebrate the rebuilding of the city. The Great Fire began in Pudding Lane and the height of the Monument 202 feet, represents the exact distance between it and where the fire began.

The Monument represents a real piece of London history and is a tourist attraction that is well worth visiting, however if you are really unfit the climb may well be the end of you!

No related posts.