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| Having returned to St Dunstan Church to re-shoot the short video last weekend, we thought we'd have a walk up to the top of the nearby London Monument. The building designed by Sir Christopher Wren became a structural marking point to commemorate The Great Fire of London in 1666. And just close by is the actual infamous street where the Great Fire broke out from a little Bakers shop in Pudding Lane. The Fire started on the 2nd of September 1666 and continued devastating the City right up to the 5th of September, destroying over 13,000 homes as well as 87 Churches including the nearby St Dunstan in the East. And it's not surprising that the Fire spread so quickly when you learn that most of the houses back then were constructed of straw and timber. And the devastation left over 70,000 people homeless. When the houses were rebuilt most of them were quite sensibly built with bricks. But the visit to The Monument was interesting, although the walk up to the top, all 311 steps was exhausting but worth it for the views of the London skyline. Also the spiral staircase itself is quite narrow and as you make the climb up in such a small space, you have to make way for the people coming down to leave the tall narrow building. But the base of the structure is very impressive. More can be found out about The Monument at..... THE MONUMENT HISTORY WEBSITE And from there you can watch the official video. THE MONUMENT WAS CONSTRUCTED AND DESIGNED BY ROBERT HOOKE IN CONSULTATION WITH SIR CHRISTOPHER WREN DURING 1671 - 1677. |
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Only 311 steps to climb to get to the viewing platform. And it takes around 4 to 5 minutes to reach the top. |
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Above: The oddly shaped building 20 Fenchurch Street, or as it's often called The Walkie Talkie Building. The top floor viewing platform known as The Sky Garden is a must see place with it's spectacular views of The City, day or night. |
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| Above: St Paul's Cathederal |
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| Below: Tower Bridge and The River Thames |
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| Below: Back down to Earth and once again we find ourselves down by Tower Bridge and The River Thames. |
A nice little history lesson. Pudding Lane to Pie Corner if I remember correctly. But what on earth is that badly designed building you shot through the wire mesh, the first time? It looks awful. - Ian
ReplyDeleteIan, That odd shaped building is 20 Fenchurch Street. Don't think they actually gave it an official
ReplyDeletename. But most people call it The Walkie Talkie Building and sometimes The Cell Phone Building.
I can't say I actually like it's shape but the building has a winning card up it's sleeve because the
top viewing platform that you can make out in the photo has what's called 'The Sky Garden.' It is a must
see place now in London with spectacular views over the City. It's free to go up there once you have booked
your visit, although you're taking your chances with the weather.
But it does look spectacular at sunset just as it's getting dark as I've seen in a few youtubes. So of course
I must make a visit there soon.
Ian, I've added in another photo without the fencing getting in the way.
DeleteThanks for that. Although I think it might blow away in a decent Aussie cyclone. - Ian
ReplyDeleteIan, I've never liked buildings that are narrow at the bottom and wider at the top.
DeleteJust doesn't sound structurally correct to me. What are the architects thinking.
The old Twin Towers in New York made me a bit uneasy when visiting the Observation Deck.
I always felt that they could have had bridges connecting the North and South Towers.
I guess that today's architects feel they have to create wacky looking buildings to get
them noticed.
I am pleased you climbed up and took great photos as I have no intention of climbing that many stairs. It is a very interesting angle to view the Walkie Talkie building.
ReplyDeleteA rather large gentleman (behind me on the stairs...thankfully) was puffing and panting
Deleteby the time he got to the top. I don't think the climb did him any good.
But they do have small sitting alcoves by each few levels for those that might want a rest.
Although I was pleased to have climbed up there without any stops.