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:
Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery (P3 Verne), 275m south-west of Fancy's FarmTwo bowl barrows immediately south of Bayard DairyDisc barrow 715m west of Bayard FarmThree bowl barrows 530m and 350m north east of Whitcombe BarnRomano-Celtic temple and associated remains at Jordan HillBattery 200yds (180m) E of the Naval cemeteryRound barrows on RidgewayTwo round barrows on RidgewayPreston Roman villaFriar Waddon Hill round barrowsRound barrow E of Bayard's BarnLong barrow 400yds (360m) NW of Hill BarnBarrow 200yds (180m) N of the White HorseGroup of round barrows W of Ridgeway HillHumpty Dumpty Field, RadipoleEast Weare rifle rangeGroup of four round barrows in Cripton WoodCross-ridge dyke on WindsbatchSandsfoot 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 fieldsSix round barrows on Bincombe DownGroup of round barrows on Shorn Hill and Bronkham HillTwo round barrows on RidgewaySix barrows on Ridgeway HillPortland CastleRound barrow 1/4 mile (400m) N of Ridge HillOval barrow and three bowl barrows 250m and 330m south of Whitcombe BarnGroup of barrows on West HillNothe Fort, tramway and searchlight battery at The NotheTwo round barrows N of Bincombe BarnBarrows in Came WoodGroup of barrows on the golf course, Came DownGroup of round barrows on RidgewayRound barrow on Ridgeway HillTwo bowl barrows 720m south east of Friar Waddon HouseRAF Portland, site of Rotor early warning radar stationGeorge III, chalk-cut hill side figureTwo barrows 600yds (550m) N of Halls FarmCulliford Tree long barrow and group of round barrowsGroup of round barrows on North Bincombe Hill, S of Came WoodSix round barrows W of Came DownGroup of barrows E of Northdown BarnRound barrow N of RidgewayGroup of round barrows on and to E of Great HillGroup of round barrows on Bincombe HillTwo round barrows at Down WoodThe Verne CitadelRound barrow NE of Friar Waddon.
