The Climb
The Monument contains 311 steps arranged in a tight cantilevered spiral staircase built into the walls of the column. The staircase is made of Portland stone and winds upward in a clockwise direction, with the central shaft of the column open to your left as you ascend. The steps are worn smooth from centuries of use, and the passage is narrow enough that two people can only just pass each other.
The climb takes most people between 10 and 15 minutes, depending on fitness and how many times you stop to catch your breath. There are no formal rest points or landings along the way, though the staircase does widen slightly at certain intervals where you can pause and let other climbers pass.
What to Expect on the Way Up
The staircase is not for everyone. The spiral is tight and continuous, and some people find the repetitive turning motion disorienting. If you are uncomfortable with enclosed spaces or heights, it is worth considering this before you start. The staircase has no windows until you reach the top, so you are climbing in a dimly lit stone tube for the full duration.
The column is not heated or cooled, so in summer the interior can become warm and stuffy, particularly when busy. In winter the stone stays cold. Wearing comfortable shoes with good grip is sensible, as the steps can be slippery.
The Viewing Platform
At the top of the 311 steps you emerge onto an open-air viewing platform that wraps around the golden urn at the summit of the column. The platform is enclosed by a metal cage, added in the 1840s after a series of incidents. The cage slightly obscures photography but does not significantly affect the views across London.
The platform is small and can feel crowded when several groups arrive at the same time. There is just enough room for about 15 to 20 people to stand comfortably. On a clear day you can see in every direction, with the City skyline, the Thames, Tower Bridge and the dome of St Paul's all visible.
The Certificate
One of the small pleasures of the Monument is the certificate you receive after completing the climb. When you return to the bottom, the attendant at the base will hand you a printed certificate confirming that you climbed all 311 steps. It is a simple keepsake but a surprisingly popular one, and many visitors frame them or keep them as souvenirs.
The tradition of issuing certificates has been running for decades and adds a satisfying sense of achievement to what is otherwise a fairly straightforward, if tiring, physical challenge.
Accessibility
Because the Monument was built in the 1670s, there is no lift and no step-free access to the viewing platform. The staircase is the only way up and down, and it is not suitable for wheelchair users or anyone with significant mobility limitations. The ground-level exhibition space at the base of the column is accessible and provides information about the history of the Monument and the Great Fire.
