Wellington Monuments

The Wellington Monument is a 175 feet (53 m) high triangular tower located on the highest point of the Blackdown Hills, 3 km (1.9 miles) south of Wellington, Somerset, England. It has been designated by English Heritage as a grade II* listed building. It was erected to celebrate the Duke of Wellington's victory at the Battle of Waterloo. The foundation stone was laid in 1817, on land belonging to the Duke, but the monument was not completed until 1854. Its design was inspired by an Egyptian obelisk, but in the shape of the type of bayonet used by Wellington's armies. It is 80 feet (24 m) wide at the base. A counterweight hangs inside to help balance the Monument in windy weather.

An internal staircase ascends to a viewing platform, which sounds good, but it seems that anyone who can be bothered to walk up to the monument with the desire to actually be able to see anything is destined to be disappointed. Access to the tower is blocked with a fence and imposing padlock; and the woods all around prevent being able to admire the view from ground level.

So we had to make our own entertainment, which Kieran did by doing a pretty fair impression of the monument. At 11 years old and already far taller than his 5'2'' auntie, I suspect he'll be able to enjoy the view fairly soon despite the trees...