Equestrian statue of the Duke of Wellington, Hyde Park Corner facts for kids
Imagine a huge statue of a famous general riding his horse! That's what you'll find at Hyde Park Corner in London. This impressive equestrian statue (meaning a statue of someone on horseback) honors the Duke of Wellington. He was a very important British general and statesman.
The statue stands in a busy area that used to be called Wellington Place. Today, it's the center of a large roundabout, a busy circle where cars drive.
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About the Statue
This amazing statue shows the Duke of Wellington riding his horse, Copenhagen. The horse has all four hooves on the ground, making it look very stable and strong. The Duke himself is holding a telescope in his right hand, as if he's looking out over a battlefield.
Who Made It?
A talented artist named Joseph Boehm created this bronze statue. It was first shown to the public in 1888. The statue stands on a large base called a pedestal. Around the bottom of the pedestal, you can see figures of different British soldiers. These include a Grenadier, a Scottish Highlander, an Irish Dragoon, and a Welsh Fusilier.
Where Does It Face?
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The statue faces Apsley House, which was the Duke of Wellington's home in London. This means the Duke's back is turned towards the main road where parades and important events happen.
What Is It Made Of?
The bronze for the statue came from captured French cannons. This is a cool historical detail! The pedestal is made from pink granite stone from Scotland. The base underneath is made from grey granite, also from Scotland. On one side of the pedestal, you can see the name WELLINGTON written in raised bronze letters. On the other side, it shows his birth and death years: 1769–1852.
Other Wellington Statues
This statue at Hyde Park Corner is not the only one honoring the Duke of Wellington in London.
The Earlier Statue
There was an even earlier, very large equestrian statue of the Duke. It was made by Matthew Cotes Wyatt in 1846. This huge statue used to sit on top of the nearby Wellington Arch. However, it was considered too big for the arch! So, it was moved in 1882–83. You can now find this older statue at Aldershot Camp in Hampshire.
The statue by Joseph Boehm that we are talking about was made to replace the giant one that was moved.
The Wellington Monument
Don't confuse this statue with the Wellington Monument! That monument is the very first one made to honor the Duke of Wellington. It stands about 150 meters away in Hyde Park.
