Wellington Monument

I've always wondered exactly what this monument represented, It's something I've often noticed while travelling up and down the M5 but until today had never been to see the monument up close.

I had hoped there would be some sort of plaque to tell the story of how this monument came about, however there wasn't so I've had to use the web for research. It turns out the monument was built in honour of the Duke of Wellington's victory at the battle of Waterloo in the early 1800s, completed in 1854 the monument stands at 175ft and 80ft wide. Up until 2007 it was possible to go inside the monument and walk up to the viewing platform where the views must be quite amazing! Maybe they'll re-open it one day.