Memorials & monuments · Central Scotland
Nelson Monument
Also known as: Time Ball
In or near Edinburgh.
Nelson Monument — Monument, dating to 1816.
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Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence
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Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 15 min–45 min
- Nearest railway station
- Edinburgh Waverley · 0.6 km
- Free entry
- Family-friendly
- Dog-friendly
Getting there & planning your visit
To visit the Nelson Monument, you can reach it via Edinburgh Waverley station, which is 0.6 km away. Entry to the monument is free, but please note that it is not wheelchair accessible. The postcode for sat-nav is EH7 5AA.
About
Nelson Monument is a public memorial or monument in the United Kingdom. Opening hours: 10:00-15:30. Also known as: Time Ball. Wikidata describes it as: "Monument, dating to 1816.". Coordinates: 55.9544°, -3.1826°.
Photo gallery
See it from the streetimagery from 2020
Imagery © Mapillary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0
Heritage listing
The Nelson Monument is a commemorative tower in honour of Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson, located in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is situated on top of Calton Hill, and provides a dramatic termination to the vista along Princes Street from the west. The monument was built between 1807 and 1816 to commemorate Nelson's victory over the French and Spanish fleets at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, and his own death at the same battle. In 1852 a mechanized time ball was added, as a time signal to shipping in Leith harbour. The time ball is synchronized with the One O'Clock Gun firing from Edinburgh Castle. The monument was restored in 2009.
From the Historic England List Entry under OGL v3.
Official information
The Nelson Monument is a commemorative tower located on Calton Hill in Edinburgh, designed to honor Admiral Nelson's victory at Trafalgar. Visitors can climb the tower for panoramic views of the city and explore exhibitions about Charles Piazzi Smyth and the history of the monument.
From the Wikipedia article
The Nelson Monument is a commemorative tower in honour of Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson, located in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is situated on top of Calton Hill, and provides a dramatic termination to the vista along Princes Street from the west. The monument was built between 1807 and 1816 to commemorate Nelson's victory over the French and Spanish fleets at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, and his own death at the same battle. In 1852 a mechanized time ball was added, as a time signal to shipping in Leith harbour. The time ball is synchronized with the One O'Clock Gun firing from Edinburgh Castle. The monument was restored in 2009. The Royal Navy's White Ensign and signal flags spelling out Nelson's famous message "England expects that every man will do his duty" are flown from the monument on Trafalgar Day each year.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
History
]] .]] The monument was constructed at the highest point of Calton Hill, at 171 m above sea-level, replacing an earlier mast used to send signals to shipping in the Forth. The monument was funded by public subscription and an initial design prepared by Alexander Nasmyth. His pagoda-like design was deemed too expensive, and an alternative design in the form of an upturned telescope—an object closely associated with Nelson—was obtained from the architect Robert Burn. Building began in 1807, and was almost complete when money ran out the following year. Burn died in 1815, and it was left to Thomas Bonnar to complete the pentagonal castellated building, which forms the base to the tower,…
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 55.9544, -3.1826
- District
- City of Edinburgh
- Postcode
- EH7 5AA
- Parliamentary constituency
- Edinburgh North and Leith
- Nearest railway station
- Edinburgh Waverley — 0.6 km
- Opening
- Open 7 days a week from 10am to 3:30pm.
- Official site
- cultureedinburgh.com
Sources
- osm: w465938528 (ODbL)
- wikipedia: Nelson Monument, Edinburgh (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- commons: 00 3327 Nelson's Monument, Edinburgh (Scotland).jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Nelson Monument?
- Nelson Monument is in central Scotland, United Kingdom (postcode EH7 5AA).
- What is Nelson Monument?
- Nelson Monument — Monument, dating to 1816.
- How do I get to Nelson Monument?
- The nearest railway station is Edinburgh Waverley, about 0.6 km away. Drivers can use postcode EH7 5AA.
- Is Nelson Monument a listed building?
- Nelson Monument is officially recognised as Grade II* listed building listed.
- Is Nelson Monument free to visit?
- Yes, Nelson Monument is free to enter.
- How do I get to Nelson Monument?
- The nearest railway station is Edinburgh Waverley, about 0.6 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode EH7 5AA.