Cleopatra's Needle
Cleopatra's Needle
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The area
Neighbourhood: Trafalgar Square / Embankment
With its iconic Nelson’s Column, majestic oversized lions and brightly-lit fountains, Trafalgar Square is not just considered the heart of this bustling London hub, but the very core of the city itself. Beyond this esteemed gathering place are more famous icons, as well as a disproportionate numbers of the city’s most popular cultural attractions including the National Gallery and many West End theaters. Along the way to these major sites are quiet lanes and antiquated pubs to discover, as well as riverside vistas to enjoy on the embankment. With a calendar full of celebratory events, any time of year is a fine time to visit.
How to get there
- Embankment • 3 min walk
- Charing Cross • 7 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
208 reviews
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96
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43
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3
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Deanosaur89
Edmonton, Canada8,617 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
This obelisk is originally from Alexandria, Egypt and is right by the River Thames near the Embankment station. It was a quick stop for us but interesting because we are into Egyptian history and the signage explains how the obelisk got there, how long it has been there and how the damage occurred during the war.
This is near the Victoria Embankment Garden and not too far from the theater area, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben and a number of other attractions in London.
This is near the Victoria Embankment Garden and not too far from the theater area, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben and a number of other attractions in London.
Written July 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HINA W
Islamabad, Pakistan7,358 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
You can see this obelisk on the Thames Embankment near the Golden Jubilee Bridge. It was constructed in Egypt in 1450 BC as a set of three needles. It was made for Pharaoh Thutmose III. Cleopatra’s Needle was brought to London from Alexandria, the city which welcomed Cleopatra. The second needle went to New York while the third one was is in Paris. All three were gifted to these countries by the Egyptian ruler Muhammad Ali Pasha. British needle landed in London in 1878 after undergoing a rough journey at sea. In London it was exposed to WWII bombing. Before coming here it sat waiting to be transported for sixty years in Alexandria because it weighed 200 tonnes. It has Hieroglyphical writings on it. You can see two sphinxes sitting beneath it. These were cast in bronze in Pimlico in 1881. Looking at this composition you feels as if you are in Egypt.
Written July 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michel_Louise_2013
Quebec City, Canada28,297 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
This Egyptian obelisk dating from the reign of Pharaoh Thutmose (warrior king and builder, died in 1425 BC, after fifty-three years of reign) was installed on the banks of the Thames (north bank), on Victoria Embankment , in London in 1878. With a height of 21 m, weighing approximately 200 tonnes, it was made from pink granite from Aswan (southern Egypt) and is covered with hieroglyphics. Later inscriptions were added at the request of Pharaoh Ramesses II (≈1304 BC to ≈1213 BC) to commemorate his military victories. A beautiful and long history than that of this obelisk, named “Cleopatra's Needle” and its twin, installed in Central Park, in New York, in the United States in 1881. First erected in Heliopolis, city located in the north of ancient Egypt, these two obelisks were transported to Alexandria by the Romans on the orders of Emperor Augustus (63 BC to 14 AD). They were overturned and buried some time later, which had the effect of preserving most of the hieroglyphs from the effects of bad weather. In 1828, the Ottoman governor of Egypt, Mehemet Ali (≈1769-1849), offered these two obelisks, one to the British government and the other to the French government, which exchanged it for that of Luxor, where the subsequent offering of the second obelisk, to the United States Government. The transport of the obelisk to London aboard the Cleopatra, a cylindrical steel ship somewhat resembling a submarine, was eventful because it broke apart in a storm in the Bay of Biscay and almost sank , leading to the death of six sailors. After its installation along the Thames, bronze ornaments in the Egyptian style were added. On the site, it is surrounded by bronze sphinxes. Despite its name, this obelisk has no relation to Queen Cleopatra VII.
Written November 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MidwestKathM
Detroit, MI1,087 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
A historic waterfront landmark along the Thames River, it's hard to walk by Cleopatra's Needle without stopping. Transported from Egypt to London in 1877, this ancient obelisk had been given to England by Egypt in commemoration of Lord Nelson’s victory at the Battle of the Nile in 1798 and Sir Ralph Abercromby’s victory at the Battle of Alexandria in 1801. Guarding the obelisk are two beautiful bronze sphinxes cast in 1991.
Written June 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ian C
152 contributions
Nov 2020
One of three Egyptian obelisks which stand in London, New York and Paris, this one is the other half of pair with that in New York and was a gift to the United Kingdom in 1819 by Sudan Muhammad Ali in commemoration of the victories of Lord Nelson at the Battle of the Nile and Sir Ralph Abercromby at the Battle of Alexandria in 1801.
It stands on the bank of the river and projects into it, a the lower area that you can visit providing great views towards the South Bank. However, to reach Cleopatra's Needle from Victoria Embankment Gardens, you have to navigate roads and cycle lanes - though fortunately due to the lockdown at the moment these are quite quiet.
What you don't realise is that the obelisk is one of three monuments here which are together on an axis - the others being the fountain and memorial to Major General Lord Cheylesmore in Victoria Gardens and the memorial from the Belgian people opposite the Needle, which has beautiful sculpture, but hardly anyone looks at it, which is a great shame.
One word of warning however - the lower area that projects into the Thames can become quite wet and slippery, so beware.....
It stands on the bank of the river and projects into it, a the lower area that you can visit providing great views towards the South Bank. However, to reach Cleopatra's Needle from Victoria Embankment Gardens, you have to navigate roads and cycle lanes - though fortunately due to the lockdown at the moment these are quite quiet.
What you don't realise is that the obelisk is one of three monuments here which are together on an axis - the others being the fountain and memorial to Major General Lord Cheylesmore in Victoria Gardens and the memorial from the Belgian people opposite the Needle, which has beautiful sculpture, but hardly anyone looks at it, which is a great shame.
One word of warning however - the lower area that projects into the Thames can become quite wet and slippery, so beware.....
Written November 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jack
London, UK68 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
This Obelisk was a gift from Egypt. A genuine Egyptian obelisk, the structure is inscribed with Egyptian hieroglyphs. It can be found near Victoria Embankment.
Written April 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brad
Hong Kong, China175,298 contributions
Dec 2013 • Couples
Cleopatra's Needle is one of a pair of twin obelisks that were gifted by the nation of Egypt to London (1818) and New York City (1869) as a showing of friendship amongst nations. The obelisk can be found along the banks of the Thames just past the Victoria Embankment Gardens.
This monument is believed to have been erected in Heliopolis around 1450BC. It was later moved to Alexandria by Queen Cleopatra to welcome the arriving Romans in 12 BC. Later, left toppled and in ruinous condition for many centuries, it was gifted to London in 1818.
Due to a lack of interest in funding its transportation back to London, the obelisk remained in the sands of Alexandria until 1877. Finally in route to England, it was then almost lost at sea when bad weather and sea conditions were encountered at the Bay of Bascay. While the monument was eventually saved and taken to London, tragedy wasn’t altogether averted, as six rescue ship crewman were lost while attempting to assist the vessel carrying the obelisk. Arriving in London, Cleopatra's Needle was finally erected in 1878 along the shores of the River Thames.
Like its twin in NYC, Cleopatra's Needle is just over 20 meters tall, made of red granite and is covered with inscribed hieroglyphs. It is situated between two bronze Spinx statues, flanking its sides and oddly facing the obelisk itself, instead of facing outward, protecting it.
Plaques surrounding the base of Cleopatra's Needle describe its origins in Egypt as well as the 1877 troubles at sea. There is also visible bombing damage on one of the black Spinxes, which you can see quite clearly, the result of German air raids during WWI in 1917.
In the end, Cleopatra's Needle is only a minor attraction in London and probably best seen if you intend to spend time in the Embankment area. Those who have seen its twin in Central Park (NYC) or the Luxor Needle found in Place de la Concorde (Paris), which is also sometimes referred to as Cleopatra's Needle, might have a bit more interest to seek out this obelisk during their visit to London.
This monument is believed to have been erected in Heliopolis around 1450BC. It was later moved to Alexandria by Queen Cleopatra to welcome the arriving Romans in 12 BC. Later, left toppled and in ruinous condition for many centuries, it was gifted to London in 1818.
Due to a lack of interest in funding its transportation back to London, the obelisk remained in the sands of Alexandria until 1877. Finally in route to England, it was then almost lost at sea when bad weather and sea conditions were encountered at the Bay of Bascay. While the monument was eventually saved and taken to London, tragedy wasn’t altogether averted, as six rescue ship crewman were lost while attempting to assist the vessel carrying the obelisk. Arriving in London, Cleopatra's Needle was finally erected in 1878 along the shores of the River Thames.
Like its twin in NYC, Cleopatra's Needle is just over 20 meters tall, made of red granite and is covered with inscribed hieroglyphs. It is situated between two bronze Spinx statues, flanking its sides and oddly facing the obelisk itself, instead of facing outward, protecting it.
Plaques surrounding the base of Cleopatra's Needle describe its origins in Egypt as well as the 1877 troubles at sea. There is also visible bombing damage on one of the black Spinxes, which you can see quite clearly, the result of German air raids during WWI in 1917.
In the end, Cleopatra's Needle is only a minor attraction in London and probably best seen if you intend to spend time in the Embankment area. Those who have seen its twin in Central Park (NYC) or the Luxor Needle found in Place de la Concorde (Paris), which is also sometimes referred to as Cleopatra's Needle, might have a bit more interest to seek out this obelisk during their visit to London.
Written January 11, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicholas H
London, UK20,403 contributions
Nov 2019 • Solo
One of London’s more unusual tourist sites and one with a troubled history before and after it was finally installed here in 1878. Originally erected in Heliopolis around 1450 BC, the ship bringing it to London almost sank in the Bay of Biscay in a storm. It was then damaged by WW2 bombing. It’s an imposing structure, the obelisk standing 21m high and weighing over 200 tons. It is flanked by two enormous bronze Sphinxes. There are four information plaques on the stone plinth, providing a wealth of information. It’s a must see.
Written November 10, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
degan
Seattle, WA670 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
Beautiful obelisk flanked by bronze sphinxes on the Thames. It has had an interesting history that includes being lost for some 45 years... described on the plaque.
Written August 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maggi713
Baltimore, MD12,359 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
How interesting to find an Egyptian obelisk on the Thames. It was presented to the city in 1819 but remained in Alexandria for nearly sixty years until the British government could afford to move it. The United Kingdom received the gift from Mehemet Ali, the then-viceroy of Egypt. The obelisk was brought to London and paid for by Sir William James Erasmus Wilson. The obelisk capsized in a storm in the Bay of Biscay on the way to London, killing six crew members, who are commemorated on a plaque at the obelisk. However, it was rescued and taken to Spain for repair, eventually arriving in London in January 1878. The structure is made of red granite and stands about 68 feet high. The 180-ton needle originally came from the ancient city of Heliopolis and was believed to have been erected by order of Pharaoh Thutmose III around 1443 BC. It contains a Victorian time capsule. Two bronze replicas of Egyptian sphinxes sit on either side of Cleopatra's Needle. The sphinxes face the wrong way. They look in the direction of the obelisk, while they are meant to look away from the monument in order to protect it against enemies. Though Cleopatra's Needle was restored in 2005, you can still see damage to one of the sphinxes' pedestal, caused when a German bomb landed near it during a World War I air raid.
Free - Tube Station: Embankment
Free - Tube Station: Embankment
Written July 4, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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