I have seen the Wellington Monument standing high on the Blackdown Hills many times as we have driven past on the motorway. The monument is the tallest 3 sided obelisk in the world. In order to climb up it you have to book with the National Trust using their website.

There is a walk through trees to get to the monument, which was very pleasant in the spring sunshine.

The idea to build a monument to the Duke of Wellington was first proposed in 1815 after his victory against Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo.

The original plans included a statue of The Duke of Wellington on the top, but it took so long to build that never happened. It took quite a few years before being completed and has been recently renovated. See https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/somerset/wellington-monument/history-of-wellington-monument for more information about the history.

Two friendly National Trust volunteers gave us special lightweight red hard hats to wear inside. There is a low beam at the top, and the hats are to prevent heads getting hurt. I am very short so that was unlikely to happen to me, but I wore a hat anyway just in case.

Here I am going in through the big heavy door…

I definitely complied with the ‘Site Safety’ sign, with hat and boots, and I don’t smoke.

There are 232 steps to get to the top. They go round and round and round and there are no windows, but all very well lit.

It was a long way for a small bear (I must confess here that I climbed into the bear carrier for a lift after going up about 20 steps).

It was cool inside with a breeze coming in through the windows at the top. Finally I reached the summit…

There are three round windows, one on each side, with wonderful far reaching views across Somerset.

There isn’t any glass so I was glad about the net, it would have been along way to fall down to the bottom.

After looking at the view. we went back down the 232 steps to the bottom, where there is a walkway all the way around inside the plinth.

After returning my red cap I was presented with a special badge.

There isn’t much room inside the monument so only 3 people are allowed to go up to the top at once. The humans were also given a walkie talkie radio just in case anyone needed any assistance. It was a very interesting activity but you do need to be quite fit to climb up the stairs and come back down in the 30 minute time slot.

We were very fortunate to visit on a fine sunny day, and now when I see the monument from the motorway I know exactly what it is and will remember my climb to the top.

Do visit if you get the chance but remember you need to book in advance.

For more information see: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/somerset/wellington-monument

Horace the Alresford Bear 12/4/2024