Nelson Monument

The Nelson Monument was built in memory of Admiral Lord Nelson, who died at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Weather permitting, the Trafalgar flag signal 'England expects that every man will do his duty' is still flown on Trafalgar Day (21 October).

Looking like a tall stone telescope, the Nelson Monument contains a time ball which is still dropped at 1 o’clock daily. You get a wonderful view of the City and the sea from the top of the building.

Images of and from the Nelson Monument can be found on Capital Collections.

Visitors standing at the entrance to the Nelson Monument

About

Find out more about Nelson Monument and what you will see when you visit.

The time ball at the top of the Nelson Monument

Collections

Find out more about the time ball.

The time ball after removal from the Nelson Monument for restoration

Visitor Information

Details of opening hours and how to find us.

Cannon sitting below the Nelson Monument

Learning

Find out about activities for children at the Nelson Monument.

One of the exhibition boards inside the recently refurbished Nelson Monument on Calton Hill

Exhibition

Find out about the exhibition at the Nelson Monument.

Nine famous words

Did you Know?

Horatio Nelson's nine famous words

Did you Know?

Horatio Nelson's nine famous words


The flag signal “England expects that every man will do his duty” is still flown on Trafalgar Day (October 21st)  from the Nelson Monument. Nelson actually asked for the signal “Nelson confides that every man will do his duty” but this would have taken nine more flags, and his signal officer asked to change it to “England expects”.