Review of 'Marble Arch Mound'

https://osd.london/marble-arch-mound/

Ever since we saw the “mound” being assembled at Marble Arch we have been astounded that such a thing would ever be built. It is a structure composed of a huge amount of scaffolding covered with turf and trees evidently so we believe a 22.5 meter hill actually sprung up magically overnight in the middle of one of the busiest junctions in London. This was built by Westminster City Council to attract visitors back into London after lock-down but it has become the source of much derision ever since (waste of tax-payers money, an eye-sore, etc, etc), but what is it actually like? I decided to give it a go.

Originally tickets for the mound cost £4.50 weekdays and £5.50 on weekends but with all of the negative publicity this fee has now been scraped but you need to book your tickets in advance of your visit. The entrance is close to Marble Arch itself and after checking your ticket you are subjected to the normal bag search before being shown to the steps for your climb to the top (though due to crowding you may be asked to wait a few minutes first).

There are 130 steps up though a lift is available for those that require it. The metal steps are in easy stages with platforms after each section. The grass covering the structure is not altogether convincing (yes, it is real) but it is, at least, not brown and dead.

The metal platform at the top can get a bit crowded with the staircase exit in the middle of the space. The views are not great with most of the nearby buildings obstructing your view but you can see out over the trees of Hyde Park (but not the Serpentine, only a few minutes walk away), along Edgeware Road to the north and over Fitzrovia towards the river with the London Eye and Canary Wharf visible distantly on the horizon.

There are information panels at each compass point highlighting areas of interest but as you are not really that high up you can't really see too much of anything…

You do not exit the way you came but rather down a staircase in the middle of the platform that takes you through the maze of scaffolding supporting the structure – More impressive than the view from the top! At the bottom of the stairs you pass through a curtain to enter a blacked out series of rooms with a wonderful series of brilliant light-illusion art pieces by Anthony James entitled “Lightfield”. Looking into these pieces is like staring into infinity and is quite mesmerising.

The view is not great, but it is interesting to visit (and since it is now free “well worth the money”) and the light display under quite neat to look at.

Rating: “It is OK but I have some issues”

Review Date: 2021-09-18

Location: London (England)

Address: Cumberland Gate, London W1H 7EJ ENGLAND

Public Transport: Marble Arch

URL:

Marble Arch is a 19th century marble arch by John Nash in the middle of a roundabout at the end of Oxford Street where it meets Edgeware Road and Park Lane. Access to the traffic island is via either street crossing or a tunnel from Marble Arch tube station.

The small park has fountains on the west side along with the occasional sculptural display. In recent years the eastern side (nearest to the arch) the site has played host to various short-run exhibits and venues.