King's Statue - Weymouth by Steve Johnson
King's Statue (King George III Statue)
The Grade I listed King’s Statue on the esplanade at Weymouth is a historic monument dedicated to King George III, dating to 1810.
Constructed of Portland Stone with Coade stone figures, possibly the work of Sealy, of Coade and Sealy. The King is depicted in Garter robes, holding a sceptre in his right hand, and surrounded by various insignia of Royal power including the crown on a cushion, Royal standard and Union flag. On the left are a pile of books and a large oval shield of arms, all brightly coloured on a cavetto base with roll moulding. The statue has been an important feature of Weymouth for over two centuries and continues to be popular landmark for tourists and locals alike.
As well as being visually striking, it serves as an important reminder of Weymouth’s noble history and reminds us to remain proud of our heritage. It also stands as testament to the skill of its designers who have crafted a monument that may be appreciated for many years to come.
However, this was not always the case as The Southern Times, writing in 1886 described the King’s Statue as ‘that hideous monstrosity known as the King’s Statue, about the removal of which many schemes have been from time to time suggested’.
Created: 15 January 2023 Edited: 29 November 2023
King's Statue (King George III Statue)
Local History around King's Statue (King George III Statue)
There are some historic monuments around including:
Two bowl barrows 720m south east of Friar Waddon HouseRound barrow 1/4 mile (400m) N of Ridge HillTwo round barrows on RidgewayPreston Roman villaSix round barrows on Bincombe DownBarrow 200yds (180m) N of the White HorsePortland CastleRound barrow NE of Friar WaddonBattery 200yds (180m) E of the Naval cemeteryGroup of barrows on the golf course, Came DownGroup of barrows E of Northdown BarnGroup of round barrows on Shorn Hill and Bronkham HillRound barrows on RidgewayRound barrow on Ridgeway HillTwo round barrows N of Bincombe BarnDisc barrow 715m west of Bayard FarmGroup of round barrows on and to E of Great HillGroup of round barrows on North Bincombe Hill, S of Came WoodEast Weare rifle rangeThree bowl barrows 530m and 350m north east of Whitcombe BarnBarrows in Came WoodCulliford Tree long barrow and group of round barrowsRAF Portland, site of Rotor early warning radar stationRound barrow N of RidgewayGroup of round barrows on Bincombe HillTwo bowl barrows immediately south of Bayard DairyTwo barrows 600yds (550m) N of Halls FarmTwo round barrows at Down WoodOval barrow and three bowl barrows 250m and 330m south of Whitcombe BarnGroup of round barrows W of Ridgeway HillCross-ridge dyke on WindsbatchSix round barrows W of Came DownHeavy Anti-Aircraft Battery (P3 Verne), 275m south-west of Fancy's FarmGeorge III, chalk-cut hill side figureRound barrow E of Bayard's BarnFriar Waddon Hill round barrowsGroup of round barrows on RidgewaySix barrows on Ridgeway HillGroup of barrows on West HillHumpty Dumpty Field, RadipoleLong barrow 400yds (360m) NW of Hill BarnGroup of four round barrows in Cripton WoodNothe Fort, tramway and searchlight battery at The NotheTwo round barrows on RidgewayRomano-Celtic temple and associated remains at Jordan HillSandsfoot CastleMulti-period archaeological landscape centred on and including a slight univallate hillfort called Chalbury, two bowl barrows, part of a Bronze Age urnfield and a series of medieval strip fieldsThe Verne Citadel.
