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:
Cross-ridge dyke on WindsbatchHeavy Anti-Aircraft Battery (P3 Verne), 275m south-west of Fancy's FarmTwo round barrows on RidgewayNothe Fort, tramway and searchlight battery at The NotheRound barrow NE of Friar WaddonGroup of round barrows on Bincombe HillBattery 200yds (180m) E of the Naval cemeteryBarrow 200yds (180m) N of the White HorseGroup of round barrows on and to E of Great HillBarrows in Came WoodLong barrow 400yds (360m) NW of Hill BarnRound barrow 1/4 mile (400m) N of Ridge HillRAF Portland, site of Rotor early warning radar stationFriar Waddon Hill round barrowsTwo round barrows on RidgewaySandsfoot CastleSix round barrows W of Came DownThe Verne CitadelCulliford Tree long barrow and group of round barrowsTwo bowl barrows immediately south of Bayard DairyGroup of round barrows on Shorn Hill and Bronkham HillGroup of round barrows on RidgewayPreston Roman villaDisc barrow 715m west of Bayard FarmRound barrow on Ridgeway 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 fieldsHumpty Dumpty Field, RadipoleTwo barrows 600yds (550m) N of Halls FarmOval barrow and three bowl barrows 250m and 330m south of Whitcombe BarnRound barrow E of Bayard's BarnGeorge III, chalk-cut hill side figureSix barrows on Ridgeway HillTwo round barrows N of Bincombe BarnGroup of round barrows W of Ridgeway HillRound barrow N of RidgewayRomano-Celtic temple and associated remains at Jordan HillGroup of round barrows on North Bincombe Hill, S of Came WoodGroup of barrows on the golf course, Came DownRound barrows on RidgewayGroup of barrows E of Northdown BarnGroup of barrows on West HillGroup of four round barrows in Cripton WoodPortland CastleSix round barrows on Bincombe DownThree bowl barrows 530m and 350m north east of Whitcombe BarnTwo round barrows at Down WoodEast Weare rifle rangeTwo bowl barrows 720m south east of Friar Waddon House.
