Wellington Monument

The Wellington Monument stands on the Blackdown Hills, three kilometres south of Wellington in Somerset. It is a tall triangular obelisk made of local sandstone, rising fifty-three metres above the surrounding countryside. The structure is the tallest three-sided obelisk in the world and has been a listed building for many years. Its design was inspired by an Egyptian obelisk but shaped like a bayonet used by Wellington’s armies. The monument was built to celebrate the Duke of Wellington’s victory at Waterloo in 1815. The monument’s history began with a public subscription led by William Sanford of Nynehead Court, who raised money for its construction. The original plan included cottages at the base for old soldiers, but funds ran out before this could be completed. Later, after the Duke’s death, Henry Goodridge finished the work in 1854. The monument has seen repairs over the years, including after lightning damage in 1846 and a major restoration completed in 2021. The National Trust now owns and maintains the site. Inside, a staircase winds up to a viewing platform with three circular windows, one on each face of the obelisk. The base features an Egyptian-style winged panel above an iron door, and a counterweight inside the top helps keep the structure steady in strong winds. The surrounding area offers views across the Somerset countryside, and the monument is floodlit on special occasions. A single cannon, donated by the Wellington Rotary Club, stands at the base, a reminder of the Duke’s military achievements.