Bridgewater Monument facts for kids
The Bridgewater Monument
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| Coordinates | 51°48′30″N 0°35′39″W / 51.80829°N 0.59426°W |
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| Location | Ashridge, Hertfordshire United Kingdom |
| Type | Victory column |
| Material | Granite |
| Height | 108 feet (33 m) |
| Completion date | 1832 |
| Dedicated to | Francis Egerton, 3rd Duke of Bridgewater |
The Bridgewater Monument is a tall stone column in Hertfordshire, England. It stands in the beautiful Ashridge estate. This monument was built in 1832 to remember a very important person named Francis Egerton, 3rd Duke of Bridgewater. He was often called the "Canal Duke" because of his big role in building canals.
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Who was the Canal Duke?
Francis Egerton, the 3rd Duke of Bridgewater, was a key figure during the early Industrial Revolution. This was a time when Britain was changing fast, with new factories and ways of transport. The Duke was a pioneer in building canals.
In 1761, he opened the Bridgewater Canal in North West England. This canal was built to move coal from his mines to the city of Manchester. Later, he extended it to other towns like Runcorn and Leigh. Many people say this was the first real canal in Britain. Because of his work, he earned the famous nickname "the Canal Duke."
Why was the Monument Built?
The monument is located near Ashridge House, which was the Duke's family home. After the Duke died in 1803, his family wanted to build something to honor him.
It wasn't until 1829, after the death of his brother, the 8th Earl of Bridgewater, that money became available. The 8th Earl left £13,500 in his will. He specifically asked for a monument to be built to remember the "Canal Duke."
How the Monument was Built
The monument was designed by an architect named Sir Jeffry Wyattville. He also worked on the Gothic Revival style house at Ashridge.
The Duke's sister-in-law, Charlotte Catherine Anne, who lived at Ashridge, had some ideas about the monument. She didn't want an obelisk, which she thought looked out of place. So, the monument was built a bit further away from Ashridge House. Sir Wyattville changed the design to look like a Greek column, which she preferred.
Monument Design and Features
The Bridgewater Monument is built in a Neoclassical style. It looks like a giant Greek Doric column. It stands an impressive 108-foot (33 m) tall. At the very top, there's a large copper urn, which looks like a decorative vase.
Inside the column, there are 172 steps. If you climb them all, you reach a viewing platform at the top. From there, you can enjoy amazing views!
At the bottom of the monument, there's a large stone base. On this base, you can read these words:
'IN HONOUR OF
FRANCIS, THIRD DUKE OF BRIDGEWATER
"FATHER OF INLAND NAVIGATION"
1832'
Near the entrance to the staircase, there's also a brass plate. This plate explains that the monument was built because the 8th Earl wanted to honor Francis, the 3rd Duke. It mentions how the Duke helped his country by creating new ways for trade and industry through his canals.
THIS COLUMN WAS ERECTED CONFORMABLE WITH THE INTENTION OF JOHN WILLIAM EARL OF BRIDGEWATER ACCORDING TO THE TESTAMENTARY DIRECTION OF FRANCIS HENRY EARL OF BRIDGEWATER AND WITH THE APPROBATION OF CHARLOTTE C. ANNE COUNTESS OF BRIDGEWATER IN HONOUR OF FRANCIS THIRD DUKE OF BRIDGEWATER, WHO BY DEVOTING THE ENERGIES OF HIS MIND TO THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE MOST SPLENDID WORKS OF INLAND NAVIGATION OPENED A NEW FIELD TO NATIONAL INDUSTRY AND RENDERED THE MOST IMPORTANT SERVICES TO THE COMMERCIAL INTERESTS OF HIS COUNTRY
The monument stands on Moneybury Hill, which is part of the Ashridge plateau. From here, it overlooks the village of Aldbury.
Visiting the Monument Today
Today, the Bridgewater Monument is looked after by the National Trust. The National Trust is a charity that protects historic places and natural beauty in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
On weekends, the monument is open to visitors. You can climb the 172 steps inside the column. From the top, you get fantastic views of the Ashridge estate and the Chiltern Hills. On a clear day, you might even be able to see as far as Canary Wharf in central London!
Image gallery
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The monument seen from Aldbury
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The monument
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Inscription on the plinth
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The finial urn and viewing platform
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View from the top looking along Princes Riding to Ashridge House
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