Penshaw Monument
Penshaw Monument stands on a hilltop above Wearside like a Greek temple dropped into the north-east of England — a half-size replica of the Temple of Hephaestus in Athens, built in 1844 in honour of the first Earl of Durham. Its towering columns can be seen for miles across County Durham and the surrounding area, making it one of the most striking and unexpected landmarks in the region.
- Greek temple replica on hilltop
- Panoramic views over Wearside
- Iconic north-east landmark
Best for dramatic hilltop views and admirers of grand Victorian follies.
Things to see at Penshaw Monument
Tick these off when you visit — open the place in Manorhop to save your progress.
- 18 Doric columns up close
- Spiral staircase inside a column
- Hilltop panorama to the Cheviots
- Durham Cathedral on the skyline
- Surrounding Penshaw Wood