Philpot Lane Mice Sculpture
london's smallest statue
Two little mice nibbling cheese on a City wall, said to be London's smallest public sculpture with a tragic backstory.
Free to visit · City of London · Monument · EC3M 8AA
Opening: Viewable any time
High on a wall on Philpot Lane, easy to walk beneath a thousand times without noticing, are two tiny carved mice nibbling at a piece of cheese, often called the smallest public sculpture in London. They date from the 1860s and have a grimly memorable legend attached.
The story goes that during the building of a nearby monument, two workmen fell to their deaths after one accused the other of stealing his lunchtime cheese, when the real culprit was mice. The little carving is said to honour them. True or not, it is free to find and a charming reward for anyone willing to look up in the City.
Getting there: On the corner of Philpot Lane in the City, near Monument station.
Best time to go: Daytime, when you can spot the tiny carving on the wall.
Insider tip: Look up to the second-floor corner of the building on Philpot Lane to spot the tiny pair of mice, painted reddish-brown. They are small and high, so it helps to know roughly where to aim your eyes before you arrive.
Free things to do in London · London Free Guide