Monument

Monument station is connected by a subterranean passageway to Bank station, and together they form one of the largest interchange complexes on the Underground network. Monument serves the District and Circle lines while Bank serves the Central, Northern, Waterloo and City and DLR. Passengers can transfer between them without touching out and in again. The combined Bank/Monument complex has exits that emerge across a wide area of the eastern City, and the choice of which exit to use is worth planning in advance for unfamiliar destinations.

The station takes its name from the Monument to the Great Fire of London, which stands one minute's walk north of the station exit on Monument Street. The 62-metre Doric column was designed by Christopher Wren and Robert Hooke, completed in 1677 and positioned exactly 62 metres west of the point on Pudding Lane where the Great Fire started in September 1666. The coincidence of the column's height and distance from the fire's origin is deliberate — the Monument's design is a memorial calculation made physical. Climbing the 311 steps to the viewing gallery gives a unique ground-level perspective on the City's rooftop landscape.

Station Overview

Monument opened in 1884 and serves Zone 1 on the District and Circle lines. It is connected by underground passageway to Bank. The station is not step-free. The combined Bank/Monument complex is one of the busiest interchange points on the entire Underground network.

Lines and Connectivity

The District line (green) and Circle line (yellow) stop at Monument. Eastbound trains run toward Tower Hill, Aldgate and the eastern District line branches. Westbound trains run toward Cannon Street, Mansion House and the City western stations. The Bank complex (connected) adds the Central line, Northern line, DLR and Waterloo and City line.

Facilities

Monument has an information point. The surrounding City area has cafes and restaurants, particularly on weekdays. Leadenhall Market is 10 minutes walk east.

Accessibility

Monument itself is not step-free. Bank (connected) has some step-free access points — check TfL's step-free access map for the Bank/Monument complex, as the route varies by line.

Travel Tips

• The Monument column (1 minute walk) is worth climbing — the 311-step ascent takes about 10-15 minutes and the viewing gallery is genuinely rewarding with a clear-day City view
• Use the Bank/Monument connection to transfer between Circle/District lines and Central/Northern/DLR without exiting — the passageway is long but avoids re-validating your ticket
• Leadenhall Market (10 minutes walk east) has the finest Victorian market interior in London — the painted glass and iron roof over the market is extraordinary

Nearby Attractions

The Monument — 1 minute walk. A 62-metre Doric column commemorating the Great Fire of London (1666). Admission charged for the climb to the viewing gallery. Open daily.

Leadenhall Market — 10 minutes walk east. Victorian covered market under a spectacular painted glass and iron roof. Free to enter, cafes and pubs inside.

Bank of England Museum — 5 minutes walk west (exit via Bank). Free museum inside the Bank of England. Open weekdays only.

Timings and Best Time to Travel

Monument is primarily a City working-hours station. Rush hours 08:00-09:30 and 17:30-19:30 are extremely busy at the Bank/Monument interchange. The Monument column itself is open daily — weekday mornings are quietest. The City around the station is very quiet at weekends.