About
A 27-metre Doric column in Llanfairpwll, erected in 1816 to honour Henry Paget, 1st Marquess of Anglesey, who commanded the Allied cavalry at the Battle of Waterloo and lost his leg in the closing moments of the battle. Climbing the 115 internal steps leads to a viewing gallery with a panorama that takes in Snowdonia, the Menai Strait, the mountains of the Llŷn Peninsula, and much of the island spread out below. Entry is free, and the climb takes around 20 minutes each way; the staircase is narrow and steep, so it is not suitable for very young children or those with limited mobility.
Suitable for
Accessibility
Getting there & parking
Frequently asked questions
Who was the Marquess of Anglesey?
Henry Paget, 1st Marquess of Anglesey, commanded the Allied cavalry under the Duke of Wellington at Waterloo in 1815. He lost his right leg to a cannonball during the battle — reportedly exchanging a famously stoic aside with Wellington — and survived to serve later as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. The column was built the following year in his honour.
How many steps are there and is the climb hard?
There are 115 steps on a narrow, steep spiral staircase. Most fit adults can manage it in around 15–20 minutes, but the tight turns make it unsuitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs, and those with a fear of confined spaces should note the staircase is very narrow in places.
What can you see from the top?
On a clear day the views are outstanding: the Menai Strait and Britannia Bridge directly below, Snowdonia (Eryri) to the south, the Llŷn Peninsula to the southwest, and the broad patchwork of central Anglesey in every other direction.
What else is nearby?
The Llanfairpwll station name sign — the longest in Europe — is a 10-minute walk away in the village. Plas Newydd House and Garden (National Trust), with its Rex Whistler mural and Menai Strait views, is about 2 miles south on the A4080.
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