Paternoster Square, London EC1A 7BA
Paternoster Square Column
Strange monument
Place photograph
3.0
Wildland
Under 1 hour
Time
Free
Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
3.0At the centre of a modern City square, a 23.3-metre column carries an urn of golden flames: a memorial to the Great Fire of 1666 and the Blitz of 1940. Look down as well as up—the column also forms part of the ventilation system for the car park beneath the square.
This is a compact urban heritage stop rather than a wild landscape. Its appeal is the way a striking memorial, the story of two fires and a functional piece of hidden infrastructure sit together in the shadow of St Paul’s.
Atmospheric
Find your way
Open mapPaternoster Square, London EC1A 7BA
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The experience
A short stop for the column, its fire memorial and the other public art in Paternoster Square. It pairs naturally with a nearby look at St Paul’s Cathedral and Temple Bar.
Things to do
Look for the urn of flames
At the top of the column, the urn of golden flames commemorates the Great Fire of 1666 and the destruction of the area during the Blitz in 1940.
5–10 minutes
Spot the ventilation grilles
Inspect the grilles beneath the steps: the column is also part of the ventilation system for the car park below.
5 minutes
Seek out the square’s other artworks
The square also contains The Sheep & Shepherd and Paternoster Vents, alongside temporary installations that may change over time.
10–20 minutes
Find the Noon-Mark
Look for the vertical sundial in the northwest corner of the square. Its shadow indicates the day of the year at midday when sunlight is strong.
5 minutes
See Temple Bar
The decorative stone gateway was returned to Paternoster Square as part of the 2004 redevelopment after being relocated from its former City boundary position.
5–10 minutes
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Under 1 hour
Quick stop: find the column’s hidden function
- 01
Visit Paternoster Square and find the column at its centre.
- 02
Look up at the urn of golden flames, then inspect the grilles beneath the steps.
- 03
Take in the other sculptures and public art around the square.
Half day · 1–2 hours
Make a short City heritage visit of it
- 01
Explore the column and the square’s other sculptures, including The Sheep & Shepherd and Paternoster Vents.
- 02
Look for the Noon-Mark and Temple Bar, both described in the square’s visitor information.
- 03
Continue to nearby St Paul’s Cathedral; check its visitor arrangements before entering.
Verified history
Paternoster Square stands on a site with medieval associations through Paternoster Row. The square was damaged in the Great Fire of 1666 and suffered extensive destruction in the Blitz in 1940. The present square was redeveloped in the 1990s and reopened in 2003. The column, 23.3 metres high, is topped by an urn of flames commemorating the two fires; it also serves as part of the ventilation system for the car park below.
Hidden details
A memorial that also ventilates a car park — The column is not only commemorative: it forms part of the ventilation system for the car park beneath the square. Look for grilles under its steps.
A date-marking sundial nearby — The Noon-Mark in the northwest corner of the square indicates the day of the year through its shadow around midday in strong sunlight.
When to go
· Daylight for seeing the column and square details; no more specific timing is evidenced.
The square’s sculptures and historic features are described as visitable year-round, with no seasonal access information supplied.
The square is outdoors; weather may affect how comfortable it is to linger. Check before visiting for current conditions and access restrictions.
Worth pairing with
St Paul’s Cathedral
The square is beside St Paul’s Cathedral, making it a natural nearby pairing. Check the cathedral’s current visitor arrangements before entering.
Temple Bar
See the decorative stone gateway, described as having been returned to Paternoster Square during the 2004 redevelopment.
What to look for
Look up to the urn of golden flames, commemorating the fires of 1666 and 1940. Notice the ventilation grilles beneath the steps and compare the column with the other sculptures and architectural features in the square.
The story
War & battle
Best time to go
Year-round
No particular season is evidenced. Visit during daylight if you want to inspect the column and square details; check before visiting for any access restrictions.
How long to spend
Under 1 hour
Perfect for
Solo · Couples · History lovers
Before you go
Address
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
In Paternoster Square beside St Paul’s Cathedral. The square is described as free to visit and open around the clock; check locally for any temporary access restrictions.
Check before visiting
Parking
Check before visiting; parking information is not verified.
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Toilets
Check before visiting.
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Food & drink
Shops, restaurants and bars are described in the square; check what is currently open.
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Dogs
Check before visiting.
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Accessibility
A wheelchair-accessible entrance is reported in the supplied place information. Check before visiting for current route and access details.
Check before visiting
Cost
Free
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Paternoster Square Column
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
