Corporate Accommodation in Monument
Located right in the heart of London, the area around Monument provides excellent transport links throughout the wider capital, making it the perfect destination for those looking to do business in one of the most international cities in the world. Journeys from Monument are well-served by TFL, with Underground services departing regularly and taking just a few minutes to arrive in the financial and commercial centres, great for visitors after networking or expansion opportunities. Useful accommodation options for those with a busy schedule, all serviced apartments in Monument are designed with their guests in mind, and come fully furnished with high-speed Wi-Fi and flatscreen TVs to help travellers unwind after a busy day. Cosy up for the night in a personal palace and maximise productivity for the duration of that business trip, all thanks to TheSqua.re.
Holiday Accommodation in Monument
Monument is also a convenient destination for those looking for a luxury leisure retreat, be it a full family holiday or a long weekend away. With all of London’s top sights and attractions right on its doorstep, this neighbourhood is a great choice for both families and solo travellers looking to escape for a few nights, no matter what is on the agenda. The comfortable bedrooms allow guests to be well-rested for the next day, while the home cooking and entertainment facilities provide the option for quiet nights in whenever combing the many local bars and restaurants seems like more of a hassle. What’s not to like?
Where to Stay in Monument
There are a number of notable neighbourhoods either side of London Bridge that provide great accommodation within easy walking distance of the surrounding sights and attractions. The City of London is one of the famous financial centres of London, home to such institutions as the Bank of England, Royal Stock Exchange, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. As a result, this area tends to be popular both day and night with tourists and businesspeople, but can be a useful hub to help visitors find their way around the city. South of the river lie the neighbourhoods of London Bridge and Borough, quieter ‘high street’ areas featuring many name brand stores, pubs and restaurants.
For tourists and temporary residents, London can be pretty safe, especially compared to other major capital cities, however travellers are still advised to be aware of pickpockets, particularly in some of the busier pubs and bars. Shoreditch and Whitechapel may be hotspots for this type of crime, though fortunately there is plenty of nightlife closer to home to spare guests from commuting over to these areas.
Facts About Monument
Due to its position right in the heart of the city, the area surrounding Monument naturally benefits from a rich and interesting history, overlapping with many of the stories about wider London. Here then are some of our favourite facts about the area to entice and excite new visitors:
- As many already know, the area derives its name from the Monument to the Great Fire of London located near the north end of London Bridge and built to celebrate the city that rose from the ashes of 1666. The Monument was however built with a second purpose in mind: its column was once used as a giant zenith telescope, with a tiny laboratory hidden beneath it. Just think, the site could have been used for scientific experiments if the area around it had not grown too busy,
- There are 311 steps ascending the Monument to the viewing platform, which nearly a quarter of a million visitors climb every year. In fact, everyone who manages to climb it is awarded a certificate to mark the occasion.
- The nearby City of London is the centre of global foreign exchange dealing. Over 40% of all the world’s transactions are made there for a total of $2.7 trillion every day. Not only this, but the City has more Japanese banks within it than Tokyo, and more American banks than Manhattan!
- Though the City is the oldest part of London, it does not look its age. This is because it has twice been almost entirely destroyed and rebuilt, once during the Great Fire of London in 1666, and then during the Blitz in the Second World War.
- Geography (and Greenwich Mean Time) plays a key role in the success of the City of London. Its business day overlaps with those of all the world’s other financial centres, allowing trading with the Eastern Hemisphere in the morning and the Western Hemisphere in the evening. It was also mandatory before 1980 for any bank to have an office within ten minutes’ walk of the Bank of England. This was so that in the event of a crisis, the Governor of the Bank of England could have the Chief Executive of every bank gathered within 30 minutes to work on a solution. Now that’s forward planning!
- Located across the river from Monument lies a reconstruction of Shakespeare’s famous Globe Theatre, the original of which burned down in 1613 after a special effect went awry. According to local documents, nobody was injured except for a man whose burning trousers were put out with a bottle of beer.
Cost of Living in Monument
A relatively prime location in the centre of London, property prices around Monument do tend to be quite high when compared to some of the further-afield neighbourhoods. The price for a rental apartment can range from £700 to upwards of £2,000 monthly, making serviced accommodation an increasingly viable option for longer term travellers, particularly when taking into account the many benefits TheSqua.re offers to extended residential guests.
Day to day activities meanwhile can vary substantially in price. The cost of dining out of an evening can range from £15 for a meal for one at an inexpensive restaurant, to £55 for a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant. This can be countered however by the relatively low price of local groceries and the fully-equipped kitchens TheSqua.re includes in every apartment. Weekly travel passes (for Zones 1-2) can run to upwards of £35, though there are several discounts available for eligible residents. Finally, there are plenty of entertainment options, including theatres and cinemas, that offer cheaper tickets with select membership schemes.
Things to Do in Monument
From tourist hotspots to unique cultural attractions, there are plenty of sightseeing opportunities to be found in the area around Monument. Here are some of the top activities in the area to help guests make the most out of their precious leisure time:
Q. What are the most popular things to do near Monument?
Here are just a few of the many opportunities for entertainment and enjoyment to act as the cherry on top of any stay:
- Explore some of the most iconic landmarks in the City of London, from the Monument to the Great Fire, to the Bank of England and Royal Stock Exchange
- Grab a drink at the Sky Garden for some of the most breathtaking views in the city
- Dive into history with a tour of the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and HMS Belfast
- Climb The Shard and capture the exquisite panorama from the top, a view of London never before experienced
- Take in a show at Shakespeare’s Globe or The Bridge Theatre
Q. What are some free things to do near Monument?
Want to save some pennies on those day-to-day activities? Here are some great ways of passing the time close to home without breaking the bank:
- Tour some of the free museums and galleries in the area, including the Museum of London and the Tate Modern
- Visit Spitalfields or Leadenhall Markets to browse the wares of local wholesalers and retailers
- Walk the Thames Path to Greenwich for an in-depth tour of the riverside
- Explore the grounds of the historic Southwark Cathedral
Q. What are the most family-friendly things to do near Monument?
For families with children, or simply the young at heart, there are a number of fun days out we would recommend:
- Ride the underground mail train at The Postal Museum
- Dive back into Roman times with a visit to London Mithraeum
- Get those detective hats on with the Pudding Lane Mystery Trail themed tour
- Scare the kids silly with a visit to The Clink or The London Bridge Experience
Places to Visit in Monument
Wondering how to spend that precious day off? Monument and the surrounding area are home to a great range of enjoyable and interesting places to visit, from historic buildings to popular tourist attractions. Here are a few of our favourites:
- Monument to the Great Fire of London - the attraction from which the area derives its name, this 200-foot tall Doric column is Grade I listed and marks roughly the spot where the Great Fire of London started in Pudding Lane in 1666. A viewing platform near the top also commands stunning views of the local area.
- St Paul’s Cathedral - one of the most famous sights in London, this Grade I listed building is the official seat of the Bishop of London and the mother church of the London Diocese. Built on Ludgate Hill at the highest point in the City of London, its iconic roof can be seen from most places in the city.
- The Shard - dominating London’s skyline, this sheer 95-storey skyscraper is the tallest building in the United Kingdom, and its viewing gallery and open-air observation deck on the 72nd floor command stunning views over the whole city.
- Tower Bridge & Tower of London - two of the most iconic attractions of London, the turreted Tower Bridge crosses the river a little way east of Monument, and was built in the late 19th century as a bascule and suspension bridge. It lies alongside the Tower of London, a historic 11th century fortress that has in the past been used as a prison, armoury and menagerie, and today is the home of the Royal Crown Jewels.
- Shakespeare’s Globe - this reconstruction of Shakespeare’s famous Elizabethan-era playhouse is again located on the south bank of the Thames. Built based on approximate estimations of the original, the theatre opened its doors in 1997 with a performance of Henry V, and has a capacity of 1,400.
- Tate Modern - a gallery located on the south bank, the Tate Modern is one of the largest museums of modern and contemporary art in the world, with collections ranging from 1900 to the present day. The museum regularly pulls in millions of visitors every year, and admission is free.
- Leadenhall Market - one of the oldest covered markets in London, Leadenhall Market dates back to the 14th century and primarily sells fresh produce, including flowers, meats and cheeses. A great way of stepping back in time, the market is also located in the heart of the City of London, perfect for those lunchtime getaways.
- Sky Garden - close to the City of London, this skyscraper is known as the walkie-talkie due to its unique shape, and features a botanically-decorated restaurant on its top floor.
- HMS Belfast - now permanently moored by Hay’s Galleria, this former Royal Navy light cruiser is operated by the Imperial War Museum as a floating exhibition and tourist attraction.
- Southwark Cathedral - located just across London Bridge, this Grade I listed church retains much of the Gothic structure of its early past, and was first constructed in the 12th century AD.
Places to Eat in Monument
Away from the fully furnished kitchens of TheSqua.re’s luxury serviced apartments, there are plenty of fine restaurants and eateries in the area around Monument catering to all tastes and budgets. From gastropubs to bistros, Italian to Indian, guests will find no shortage of choice, whatever is on the menu for the night.
Here are a few of the top places to eat near Monument:
- The Don Restaurant & Bistro.
- Chilango Monument.
- The Folly.
- Blacklock City.
- The Hydrant.
- Spice Trader.
- Salotto 31.
- The Rajasthan.
- MBER.
- The Ship.
Street Food in Monument
Street food is also an option in the area, with numerous regular pop-up markets located within walking distance of every serviced apartment. Whitecross Market, Maltby Street Market, Kerb Food and Street Kitchen are some of the most popular offerings, but locations like Brick Lane and Boxpark Shoreditch are also excellent for their mix of food and other shopping opportunities. Adventurous visitors can even take a trip to Stratford Westfield’s Food Court for a huge selection of international cuisine, and round off the day with a spot of retail therapy or cinema trip.
Shopping in Monument
Wherever visitors choose to hang their hats in Monument, they will still be able to easily get out and explore the many shopping opportunities London has to offer. From Covent Garden to Oxford Street and Stratford Westfields, all of the most popular destinations in the city are just a short commute away, offering the best in gifts, groceries and fashion. And for picking up those essentials, there are also a number of excellent retail hotspots closer to home, including both high street chains and independent ware sellers.
Some of the best places to shop near Monument include:
- One New Change - a shopping centre featuring an eclectic mix of high-end and high street fashion, gifts and restaurants, all within a glass-walled complex.
- Broadgate Circle - a lively hub of shopping and dining, featuring many high street chains and independent names, located between Liverpool Street Station and Finsbury Avenue Square.
- Hays Galleria - a riverside shopping centre boasting high street chains and a number of excellent eateries.
- Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre - a down-to-earth retail centre featuring over 60 shops and eateries, including many independently-owned stores.
- Brick Lane Market - one of the most famous streets in London, many independent and family-owned retailers set up stalls along its length every weekend to sell food and fashion accessories at great prices.
- Boxpark Shoreditch - a pop-up mall for independent and global fashion stores and street food, built within several shipping containers.
Transportation in Monument
London benefits from a world-renowned public transport system, comprising the famous Underground, riverboat services, black cabs, and iconic red buses. Between them, residents are able to traverse the whole city with ease, and major overground terminals, such as Victoria, Waterloo, and Kings Cross, also open up more options for getting out and exploring the wider country. The area around Monument is served by a number of Tube stations: Monument (District and Circle Lines), Bank (Central, Northern and Waterloo & City Lines), Cannon Street (District, Circle and Mainline services), as well as London Fenchurch Street for National Rail routes. These stations are arguably the speediest and most efficient ways of travelling around the city, and Day Travelcards can be bought (accepted through Zones 1-5) for £18.10.
Black cabs and red buses meanwhile are both great ways of sightseeing while commuting, and with 700 bus routes in operation across the city, including 52 night services, travellers can be sure their serviced apartment is just a short journey away. There is nothing quite like sitting on the top deck of a London bus watching the city go by; equally, many of the city’s cab drivers can offer their own unique insights and local knowledge of the various neighbourhoods. Finally, TFL also offers riverboat services along the Thames, which depart from Tower Millennium Pier and consist of six routes (22 stops) running between Putney and Woolwich.
Weather in Monument
The UK is known for its generally unpredictable weather, and London is no exception. Though generally offering quite a temperate climate, the city can have rather cold winters, with temperatures dropping below freezing during the coldest months, and hot, balmy summers, with temperatures reaching up to thirty and above in July and August. Wet-weather gear is essential packing at all times of year though, as even in the summer months, rain may still be just a cloud away. September is an optimal month for visiting London, as day temperatures are still comfortably warm, while evenings are crisp and cool, allowing visitors to maximise their time away and make the most out of their daily activities.
