WELLINGTON Monument recently re-opened to the public after a multi-million-pound restoration project. 

The Grade II*-listed, 175ft-tall (53m) monument, managed by the National Trust, is the world's tallest three-sided obelisk.

It was built to celebrate the Duke of Wellington's victory at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. 

A monument in the duke's honour was first proposed in the same year. 

206 years after the battle, members of the public with a head for heights can once again visit the top of the obelisk to take in stunning views of the county. 

In 1817, Thomas Lee Jnr was appointed to design the monument following an architectural competition. 

His plans were quite different to how the monument looks today, not least because they included a huge cast-iron statue of the duke on top of a 140-ft tall (43m) plinth.  

The project ran into several problems within the first few months and the monument only measured 45ft (14m) when work stopped due to a lack of funds. 

Construction of the plinth was finally completed in the 1820s to the desired height, but the statue was never commissioned. 

Somerset County Gazette:

They say that lightning never strikes twice in the same place, but that is exactly what is believed to have happened to the monument in 1846 and in the early 1850s, causing structural damage. 

Around the time of the duke's death in 1852, local architect Charles Giles said the structure was a public danger. 

Giles set out to transform the plinth into an obelisk, but by the 1890s it was again in poor condition and the local press described it as "dilapidated". 

Since 1934, the National Trust has managed the site and renovated it every 10-15 years at great expense. 

In 2007, the monument was closed to the public due to safety concerns. 

In 2018, the trust launched a £3.1 million restoration project which was completed by the end of August 2021, despite it presenting major technical challenges for those involved. 

1,508 new stones were added to the structure by qualified masons and the pyramidion, the triangular section at the top of the monument, was almost completely replaced. 

Now, the National Trust says the monument is possibly in better condition than ever before. 

Somerset County Gazette:

When the restoration was completed, National Trust project manager Helen Sharp said: "This has been a huge undertaking and to see it completed is a special day for us and the people of Wellington.

"Wellington’s own memorial to the Duke of Wellington and his victory at the Battle of Waterloo is a significant place for so many from the local community.

"It is a place where people walk regularly with their dogs, come for family picnics and where they remember personal events – we’ve heard tales of first kisses and engagements here which make it important in many hearts.

"The local community have really rallied round to help us with the fundraising that will ensure this striking landmark remains a feature of the Somerset landscape.

"We’d like to thank all the supporters and donors who helped to make the future of the monument much more secure."

The monument is now open and the public can climb its 232-step spiral staircase to the top. 

A ticket to the top of the monument costs £5, which goes towards its upkeep. 

The countryside around the monument remains free to access, but there is a car parking charge for non-National Trust members. 

For more information or to book, visit the Wellington Monument page of the National Trust's website.