Gazing up, rather then walking up, on a cold and frosty day
Bridgewater Monument, Ashridge Estate, Hertfordshire, January 2021
This monument was built in 1832 in memory of the third Duke of Bridgewater, famous for building canals in North-West England during the Industrial Revolution. The Canal Duke, as he is sometimes known, lived in Ashridge House as a child but later moved to his estate in Worsley. He commissioned the Bridgewater Canal to service the coal mines in Worsley, running from Worsley to Manchester.
In the summer, this monument at Ashridge is open for anyone keen to climb the 172 steps and admire the views of the estate, and further afield. If the weather and your eyesight are on your side after your exertions, you should be able to see as far as Canary Wharf in London.
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Copyright Debbie Smyth, 11 January 2021
Posted as part of Becky’s January SquareUp
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Travel with Intent 
Like how you caught the fog
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Gorgeous shot! When I first saw this I thought it was the Astoria Column in Astoria, Oregon.
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Interesting. I haven’t been to Oregon yet. One day!
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Did you walk it? That’s like over 10 stories high. Great photos Debbie 😀
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No it’s closed at the moment. Will hopefully open in April if our lockdown has eased by then.
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Sounds like fun but suspect I wont be allowed to climb to the top. I like going to Ashridge, it is wide open and a fun walk even in the rain.
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I’ve seen this monument many times, but I have to say I hadn’t thought of climbing it. Perhaps I didn’t know that you could. Oh well, maybe this summer….
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I should have a rest in between…but that misty shot is amazing!
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I’m puffing and panting just thinking about it. Yes, I’d like to see the view too – but you didn’t get your reward, did you?
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I’ll be back post-lockdown and post-winter to check out the view 🙂
I couldn’t even get close to the tower at the weekend as the area was closed for grass recovery
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I always try to count myself when I climb up towers, but inevitably about 3/4 of the way up I lose count!!
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🙂 same here. Sometimes I do it again to get the count right. Depending on levels of exhaustion and vertigo!
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oh you are much better than me, the most i will do is try and count again as I go down!!
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Absolutely fabulous misty shots! 🙂 🙂 I’ll expect a view from the top come Summer.
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Yes, I’ll definitely go back and explore more. There are deer there but I saw no signs of them – there was plenty of dense mist to hide in.
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I might manage 2 steps, Debbie!
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And I’m not offering a piggy back!! 🙂
But, they have some buggy friendly paths and both scooters and golf buggies to hire. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ashridge-estate/features/accessibility-at-ashridge. I can drive you around in the buggy if you fancy some fun – my buggy driving is marginally safer than my golf!
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Sounds good!
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