Monument closed for first cleaning in its history

The monument will be closed for several months while conservation work is carried out

Conservation work has begun to clean a 32m-high (105ft) monument for the first time in its history.

The Grade II listed Bridgewater Monument was built in 1832 on the National Trust's Ashridge Estate in Hertfordshire.

It was constructed in memory of the third Duke of Bridgewater, Francis Egerton.

A survey in 2022 found the structure required internal and external repairs, including cleaning, which is expected to take several months to complete.

Repair work has taken place in the past but this is the first time the monument has been cleaned

Work is also needed on an internal spiral staircase, which has 172 steps and is used by about about 15,000 visitors a year.

Wembley Stadium and Canary Wharf can be seen from the top of the monument on a clear day.

Special conservation cleaners have built scaffolding to steam clean its historic Cornish granite.

The last major work on the monument took place in the 1980s but Josh Kyle from Ashridge Estate said this was the first time it had been cleaned.

"Being so exposed to the elements means there are areas of erosion and soiling from airborne pollutants that have built up over its lifetime," he said.

"Once the granite stone has been cleaned, the natural colour of the granite will be brought back."

The monument is expected to remain closed for about eight months.