Monument to the Great Fire of London

A Christopher Wren masterpiece, this immense Doric Monument to the Great Fire of London (themonument.org.uk) made of Portland stone, is, as the name suggests, a monumental reminder of the 1666 Great Fire of London, which destroyed 80% of the city. It stands 62m high, which is exactly the distance along the ground to the bakery in Pudding Lane where the fire is thought to have started. Although dwarfed by London’s modern skyscrapers, the Monument towered over the city when first built. Climbing up the column’s 311 spiral steps to appreciate the golden "ball" of fire at the apex still offers decent views, thanks to its central location.