Nelson Monument, Edinburgh

Name: Nelson Monument
Address: 32 Calton Hill, Edinburgh, EH7 5AA, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 131 556 2716

#45 among attractions in Edinburgh

Tower, Memorial, Monuments and statues

Gallery (12)

Map

Gallery

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Facts and practical information

The Nelson Monument is a prominent historical landmark that towers over the city of Edinburgh, United Kingdom. Erected in honor of Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson, one of Britain's most revered naval figures, the monument commemorates his victory and death at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Standing on the peak of Calton Hill, it offers visitors unparalleled views of the Scottish capital and its surroundings.

Constructed between 1807 and 1815, the monument was designed by architect Robert Burn to resemble an upturned telescope, a nod to Nelson's naval career. The tower stands at 32 meters (105 feet) tall, and visitors can climb the 143 steps to reach the public viewing gallery, which provides a panoramic vista of Edinburgh's cityscape, the Firth of Forth, and the distant Kingdom of Fife.

The Nelson Monument not only serves as a memorial to a national hero but also played a practical role in the past. It was used as a signal tower for shipping in the Firth of Forth, with a time ball mechanism installed in 1853 that dropped at 1 pm daily, allowing ships' captains to set their chronometers accurately.

Coordinates: 55°57'16"N, 3°10'57"W

Address

32 Calton HillCalton HillEdinburgh EH7 5AA United Kingdom

Contact

+44 131 556 2716

Website

Social media

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Edinburgh

Day trips

Nelson Monument – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Calton Hill, St. James Centre, Collective, John Knox House.

~440 ftN
Views, gay bars and Edinburgh Playhouse
Calton Hill, Edinburgh
3 min walk • Perched atop its namesake mound, Calton Hill is a verdant oasis in the heart of Edinburgh, offering both locals and tourists a serene park environment and an unparalleled vantage point over Scotland's capital. This historic hill, crowned with iconic monuments...
~1180 ftW
Shopping, Shopping centre
St. James Centre, Edinburgh
6 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh, the St. James Centre stands as a modern beacon of retail and leisure within the historic city. This bustling shopping centre, strategically located at the east end of Princes Street, offers a diverse array of high-street and designer...
~240 ftN
Museum, Art gallery, Shopping
Collective, Edinburgh
2 min walk • Collective is a contemporary art institution located in the heart of Edinburgh, United Kingdom. Nestled atop Calton Hill, this museum is not only a destination for art enthusiasts but also offers panoramic views of the city.
~1470 ftS
Museum, History museum, Historical place
John Knox House, Edinburgh
8 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh's historic Royal Mile, the John Knox House is a remarkable museum that offers a glimpse into the turbulent times of the 16th century Scotland. This beautifully preserved medieval building is reputed to have been the home of the...
~190 ftNE
Memorial, Monuments and statues
National Monument of Scotland, Edinburgh
1 min walk • The National Monument of Scotland stands proudly atop Calton Hill in Edinburgh, a poignant tribute to the Scottish soldiers and sailors who gave their lives during the Napoleonic Wars. This striking memorial, designed to echo the Parthenon in Athens, symbolizes...
~290 ftNW
Observatories and planetariums
City Observatory, Edinburgh
2 min walk • The City Observatory was an astronomical observatory on Calton Hill in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is also known as the Calton Hill Observatory.
~1130 ftSE
Church, Shopping
Canongate Kirk, Edinburgh
6 min walk • The Kirk of the Canongate, or Canongate Kirk, serves the Parish of Canongate in Edinburgh's Old Town, in Scotland. It is a congregation of the Church of Scotland. The parish includes the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Scottish Parliament.
~730 ftW
Memorial, Cemetery
Old Calton Burial Ground, Edinburgh
4 min walk • The Old Calton Burial Ground is a cemetery in Edinburgh, Scotland. It located at Calton Hill to the north-east of the city centre.
~1470 ftSW
Bridge
North Bridge, Edinburgh
8 min walk • North Bridge is a road bridge and street in Edinburgh linking the High Street with Princes Street, and the Old Town with the New Town. The current bridge was built between 1894 and 1897. A previous North Bridge, built between 1763 and 1772, stood until 1896.
~1320 ftE
Memorial
New Calton Burial Ground, Edinburgh
7 min walk • New Calton Burial Ground is a burial ground in Edinburgh. It was built as an overspill and functional replacement to Old Calton Burial Ground and lies half a mile to its east on Regent Road in Edinburgh, Scotland, on the south-east slopes of Calton Hill.
~730 ftSW
Memorial, Concerts and shows
Political Martyrs' Monument, Edinburgh
4 min walk • The Political Martyrs Monument, located in the Old Calton Burial Ground on Calton Hill, Edinburgh, commemorates five political reformists from the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is Nelson Monument open?

Nelson Monument is open:

Monday 10 am - 7 pm
Tuesday 10 am - 7 pm
Wednesday 10 am - 7 pm
Thursday 10 am - 7 pm
Friday 10 am - 7 pm
Saturday 10 am - 7 pm
Sunday 10 am - 7 pm

Which popular attractions are close to Nelson Monument?

Nearby attractions include National Monument of Scotland, Edinburgh (1 min walk), Collective, Edinburgh (2 min walk), City Observatory, Edinburgh (2 min walk), Dugald Stewart Monument, Edinburgh (2 min walk).

How to get to Nelson Monument by public transport?

The nearest stations to Nelson Monument:

Bus

St Andrews House • Lines: 124, X5 (2 min walk)
Regent Terrace • Lines: 124, X5 (4 min walk)

Train

Edinburgh Waverley (9 min walk)

Tram

St Andrew Square • Lines: Edinburgh Trams Eastbound, Edinburgh Trams Westbound (10 min walk)
Princes Street • Lines: Edinburgh Trams Eastbound, Edinburgh Trams Westbound (16 min walk)