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:
Friar Waddon Hill round barrowsBarrow 200yds (180m) N of the White HorseNothe Fort, tramway and searchlight battery at The NotheRound barrows on RidgewayRound barrow on Ridgeway HillTwo barrows 600yds (550m) N of Halls FarmGroup of round barrows on and to E of Great HillGroup of barrows on West HillRAF Portland, site of Rotor early warning radar stationRomano-Celtic temple and associated remains at Jordan HillEast Weare rifle rangeTwo round barrows on RidgewaySix barrows on Ridgeway HillSix round barrows on Bincombe DownRound barrow E of Bayard's BarnBarrows in Came WoodSandsfoot CastleGroup of round barrows W of Ridgeway HillPortland CastleTwo round barrows at Down WoodOval barrow and three bowl barrows 250m and 330m south of Whitcombe BarnDisc barrow 715m west of Bayard FarmRound barrow 1/4 mile (400m) N of Ridge HillGroup of barrows E of Northdown BarnCulliford Tree long barrow and group of round barrowsLong barrow 400yds (360m) NW of Hill BarnTwo bowl barrows immediately south of Bayard DairyRound barrow N of RidgewayGroup of round barrows on North Bincombe Hill, S of Came WoodPreston Roman villaRound barrow NE of Friar WaddonThree bowl barrows 530m and 350m north east of Whitcombe BarnSix round barrows W of Came DownGroup of round barrows on Bincombe HillMulti-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 fieldsGroup of round barrows on RidgewayGroup of four round barrows in Cripton WoodThe Verne CitadelGeorge III, chalk-cut hill side figureHeavy Anti-Aircraft Battery (P3 Verne), 275m south-west of Fancy's FarmBattery 200yds (180m) E of the Naval cemeteryTwo bowl barrows 720m south east of Friar Waddon HouseHumpty Dumpty Field, RadipoleCross-ridge dyke on WindsbatchGroup of barrows on the golf course, Came DownTwo round barrows N of Bincombe BarnGroup of round barrows on Shorn Hill and Bronkham HillTwo round barrows on Ridgeway.