Grey's Monument, Grade I listed monument in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Grey's Monument is a memorial at the junction of Grey Street and Grainger Street in central Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. A Roman Doric column made of Portland stone supports the statue of Earl Grey around 130 feet above street level.
The foundation stone was laid in September 1837, around five years after Earl Grey stepped down as Prime Minister. Construction took eleven months and ended in August 1838 with the completion of the memorial.
The name honors Charles Grey, the second Earl Grey, who served as Prime Minister in the early 19th century and championed electoral reform. The structure now serves as a popular landmark in the city center where locals and visitors arrange to meet.
Visitors can climb around 164 steps during organized tours to reach a viewing platform overlooking the city center. These tours usually take place in spring and summer, so checking with local information points is worth doing.
A lightning bolt hit the statue in 1941 during World War Two and sent the head crashing down onto a passing tram. The damaged figure was replaced a few years later by a work from Roger Hedley, who created the new version in 1947.
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