On the evening of 2nd September 1666, a fire broke out in a bakery on Pudding Lane that went on to ravage the City of London for four days, destroying almost an entire square mile of London and over 13,000 buildings. Today we know this as the Great Fire of London and The Monument now stands just a short distance from where the fire broke out. Standing 61 metres tall on the northern bank of the River Thames, at the time of completion it was the tallest stone column in the world. When it was designed, The Monument was also intended to have a scientific purpose. With a laboratory in the cellar, the hollow shaft could be used for height experiments and also as a type of telescope for making accurate measurements of the night sky.

Today there is a viewing platform, accessed by climbing a huge spiral staircase, which has some excellent views of London.

The monument is closed for major refurbishment until December 2008.