Penshaw Monument

About Penshaw Monument

Penshaw Monument stands on top of Penshaw Hill between Sunderland, Washington and Houghton-le-Spring. It is a 70ft replica of the Temple of Hephaestus in Athens, designed by John and Benjamin Green, with its foundation stone laid in August 1844. It commemorates John George Lambton, 1st Earl of Durham, a Governor-General of Canada, and has been in the care of the National Trust since 1939.

The hill is open all day and the climb from the bottom is steep and stepped, though a gentler path starts at the gate to the left of the main entrance. Limited parking is available at the bottom of the hill, with more at neighbouring Herrington Country Park, and buses including the 2, 2A and 78 stop nearby. In recent seasons the National Trust has run booked Tours to the Top, taking small groups up the narrow spiral staircase inside one of the columns; check the Trust's events page for current dates before planning a visit.

Featured in These Guides

Blog posts and guides that feature Penshaw Monument.

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