Penshaw Monument: The Greek Temple of North East England

One of the North East's most prominent landmarks, Penshaw Monument was built in 1844 in honour of the first Earl of Durham, John George Lambton. Presented to the National Trust as a gift in 1939 by the 5th Earl of Durham.

Most sources suggest that it is a half-sized replica of the ancient Temple of Hephaestus (god of fire) in Athens, Penshaw stands magnificently above the city on a limestone hill with spectacular views as far afield as Durham Cathedral and the North Pennines.

Penshaw Monument history

The monument was built in 1844 in honour of John George Lambton MP, 1st Earl of Durham and the first Governor of the Province of Canada. He had died four years earlier in 1840, and for his relentless campaigning for radical reform was nicknamed ‘Radical Jack’.

Along with Lord Russell, Lambton helped to draft the monumental Reform Bill of 1832, which expanded the franchise and reformed the electoral system in the country.

Designed by Newcastle-based father and son architects John and Benjamin Green, and built by Thomas Pratt of Sunderland based on the Doric order, the Grade I listed monument is a half-size replica of the Temple of Hephaestus in Athens. Around £6,000 was raised by public subscription but the money ran out before the roof and inside walls could be added.

Penshaw Monument today

Looked after by the National Trust since 1939, the monument is 30 metres long, 16 metres wide and 20 metres high and is constructed from local gritstone from quarries owned by the Marquess of Londonderry. The views from the top of Penshaw Hill are exceptional.

The Penshaw Monument is such a prominent local landmark that it even features on the club badge of Sunderland FC. Visits are free and open all year but from Good Friday until the end of September you can climb to the top of the monument for £5 thanks to a spiral staircase hidden inside one of the columns. Bookings are taken through the National Trust website.

Getting to Penshaw Monument

Penshaw Monument is located on the A183 in Penshaw in Sunderland, and is 1 mile from the A19. The nearest train station is Chester-le-Street, 5 miles away, while a number of buses stop at or near the base of Penshaw Hill, including the 2, 2A, and 78.