Golden Boy of Pye Corner: A Unique Memorial to the Great Fire of London
Discover the Golden Boy of Pye Corner, a gilded statue marking where London’s Great Fire ended and a moral tale of gluttony began.
The Golden Boy of Pye Corner is a gilded wooden statue in London marking the spot where the Great Fire of 1666 was finally extinguished. This unusual monument, originally part of a 17th-century pub called The Fortune of War, symbolizes the sin of gluttony, believed to have caused the fire that began in Pudding Lane and ended here at Pie Corner. The statue serves as a moral reminder and a fascinating piece of London's rich history near St Bartholomew's Hospital.
A brief summary to Golden Boy of Pye Corner
- Giltspur St, London, EC1A 9DD, GB
- Duration: 0.25 to 1 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
- Monday 12 am-12 am
- Tuesday 12 am-12 am
- Wednesday 12 am-12 am
- Thursday 12 am-12 am
- Friday 12 am-12 am
- Saturday 12 am-12 am
- Sunday 12 am-12 am
Local tips
- Visit during daylight hours to fully appreciate the gilded details and inscriptions on the statue.
- Combine your visit with a tour of nearby St Bartholomew’s Hospital to explore more of London’s historic landmarks.
- Look out for the plaque below the statue explaining its connection to the Great Fire and the sin of gluttony.
- Explore the surrounding streets for a glimpse into the colorful and sometimes grim history of medieval London.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Information Boards
- Seating Areas
- Trash Bins
Getting There
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London Underground
Take the Central Line to St Paul's Station, then walk approximately 10 minutes through the City of London to reach the Golden Boy of Pye Corner. The walk is on paved urban streets and suitable for most visitors.
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Bus
Use London bus routes 8, 25, or 242 to Smithfield Market or St Bartholomew’s Hospital stops, from where the Golden Boy is a 5-minute walk. Buses run frequently with fares around £1.75 using an Oyster or contactless card.
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Walking
From the Monument to the Great Fire, enjoy a 20-minute walk west through historic streets to Pye Corner. The terrain is flat and fully accessible, suitable for wheelchairs and strollers.
Golden Boy of Pye Corner location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Clear Skies
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Mild Temperatures
Discover more about Golden Boy of Pye Corner
A Symbolic Marker of a Historic Event
The Golden Boy of Pye Corner stands at the corner of Cock Lane and Giltspur Street in London, marking the approximate location where the Great Fire of London was finally stopped in 1666. This fire devastated much of the city over three days, starting in a bakery on Pudding Lane and consuming around 70,000 homes. Unlike the famous Monument near the fire’s origin, this statue uniquely attributes the fire’s cause to the sin of gluttony, a moral lesson conveyed through the figure of a prodigiously fat boy. The inscription beneath the statue explicitly states this connection, making the Golden Boy a rare example of a historical monument with a strong ethical message.Origins and Historical Context
Originally known as the "Fat Boy," the statue was part of the facade of The Fortune of War, a notorious pub that once stood on this site until its demolition in 1910. The pub was infamous not only as a drinking establishment but also as a hub for resurrectionists—body snatchers who supplied corpses to surgeons at the nearby St Bartholomew’s Hospital for anatomical study. The Golden Boy itself is a 17th-century wooden carving that was gilded in the 1800s, enhancing its visual prominence. While the statue’s wings, possibly making it resemble a cherub, have been lost or are debated, its symbolic weight remains intact.The Moral and Cultural Significance
The statue’s message reflects 17th-century attitudes linking moral failings with divine punishment. The fire’s start at Pudding Lane and end at Pie Corner cleverly frame the narrative of gluttony as the root cause, with the boy’s rotund form reinforcing this moralizing theme. This contrasts with other contemporary attributions of blame, such as anti-Catholic sentiments expressed at the Monument to the Great Fire. The Golden Boy thus offers a distinct perspective on the event, blending history, morality, and folklore.Location and Surroundings
Situated opposite St Bartholomew’s Hospital, the Golden Boy occupies a modest niche in a modern building at the junction of Cock Lane and Giltspur Street. The area itself has a colorful past, with nearby streets historically associated with legal brothels and political intrigue, including the site where the Lord Mayor of London stabbed Wat Tyler during the Peasants’ Revolt. The statue’s presence here connects visitors not only to the Great Fire but also to the layered social history of medieval and early modern London.Preservation and Legacy
Despite the demolition of The Fortune of War pub, the Golden Boy statue was preserved and remains a protected historical marker. Its survival allows modern visitors to engage with a tangible piece of London’s past, serving as both a reminder of the city’s resilience after disaster and a cautionary emblem of excess. The statue’s modest size belies its significance, making it a unique and intriguing stop for those exploring London’s rich tapestry of history and legend.Engaging with the Golden Boy Today
Today, the Golden Boy of Pye Corner is a quiet yet evocative monument amidst the bustling City of London. It invites reflection on the interplay between history, morality, and urban development. Visitors can appreciate the craftsmanship of the gilded figure and ponder the stories it embodies—from the Great Fire’s devastation to the darker tales of resurrectionists and social vice. Its location near one of London’s oldest hospitals further enriches its narrative context, making it a fascinating point of interest for history enthusiasts and curious travelers alike.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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Smithfield Market
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Stationers' Hall
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Essential places to dine
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Sea Containers Restaurant
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Ikoyi Restaurant
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Paradiso Burger & Cocktail Bar Southbank
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Sarastro
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Margot
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Cicchetti by San Carlo - London Covent Garden
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Hoa Sen Vietnamese Street Food Restaurant
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Inamo Covent Garden
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
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Bankside Arches Boutique
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Unique
- Historic
- Tranquil
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Vintage Styles
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Heritage Neighborhoods
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
- Photo Spots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Public-Transport Accessible
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Myth & Legends
- Photowalk
- Day Trip
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Wheelchair Access
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Vegetarian Friendly
- Vegan Friendly
