List of public art in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea facts for kids

This article is about the amazing public art you can find in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in London! Public art means sculptures, statues, and other artworks that are placed outside for everyone to see and enjoy. It's like an open-air museum, and it tells stories about history, important people, and even everyday life.

You can use this guide to discover some of the cool artworks hidden around this part of London. Get ready to explore!

Art in Brompton

Brompton is home to some interesting public art, including a special statue at the Brompton Oratory.

Statue of Cardinal John Henry Newman

Statue of Cardinal John Henry Newman

At the Brompton Oratory, you can find a statue of Cardinal John Henry Newman. This statue was made in 1895 by Léon-Joseph Chavalliaud. It's a statue under a canopy, made from Campanella marble and Portland stone. It was officially shown to the public on June 15, 1896. The architects who helped design its setting were George Frederick Bodley and Thomas Garner. This statue is considered a very important historical artwork, known as a Grade II listed building.

Exploring Chelsea's Sculptures

Chelsea is packed with public art, from historical statues to modern sculptures. Let's take a look at some of them!

Statue of King Charles II

The golden statue of King Charles II

At the Royal Hospital Chelsea, you'll see a grand statue of King Charles II. This statue was created in 1676 by a famous artist named Grinling Gibbons. It's made of shiny gilt bronze, which means it's bronze covered in a thin layer of gold. The statue was given to the King in 1682 and moved to the Royal Hospital in 1692. The gold was removed in 1782 but put back in 2002, making it sparkle again! This statue is a Grade I listed artwork, meaning it's super important.

Millar Obelisk

The Millar Obelisk at Dovehouse Green

In King's Road at Dovehouse Green, there's an obelisk from 1751. An obelisk is a tall, four-sided pillar that tapers to a pyramid shape at the top. We don't know who the artist was for this one, but it's an old and interesting piece of history.

Chillianwallah Memorial

The Chillianwallah Memorial

Also at the Royal Hospital, in the South Grounds, stands the Chillianwallah Memorial. This obelisk was made in 1853 by Charles Robert Cockerell. It remembers an important battle from history. It's a Grade II listed artwork.

The Pheasantry Sculptures

Sculptures at The Pheasantry

At The Pheasantry on King's Road, you can spot some amazing architectural sculptures from 1881. These include two women, a warrior on a chariot with horses, and two eagles. They were created by Amédée Joubert. These sculptures are part of the building itself and are also Grade II listed.

Herbert Stewart Memorial Fountain

Detail of the Herbert Stewart Memorial Fountain

In Hans Place, there's a drinking fountain that also serves as a memorial to Sir Herbert Stewart. It was made around 1885 by Joseph Whitehead, with a medallion by Joseph Edgar Boehm. This fountain was put up by an association that provided drinking fountains for people and animals.

Holy Trinity Church Sculptures

Sculptures over the entrance to Holy Trinity Church

Over the entrance to Holy Trinity, Sloane Street church, you'll see sculptures of Christ, the Apostles, a bishop, a king, and an angel. These relief sculptures were made in 1890 by John Dando Sedding. They are a beautiful part of the church's design and are a Grade I listed artwork.

Chelsea War Memorial

Chelsea War Memorial in Sloane Square

In Sloane Square, you'll find the Chelsea War Memorial, a cross designed by Reginald Blomfield in 1920. It was unveiled on October 24, 1920, and follows a special design called the Cross of Sacrifice. It's a Grade II listed memorial.

Wellington Square Fountain

Fountain in Wellington Square

A fountain with a sculpture was added to Wellington Square in 1926. The artist is unknown, but it's a lovely feature in the square.

William Friese-Greene Roundel

Portrait roundel of William Friese-Greene

Outside 208 King's Road, there's a portrait roundel (a circular sculpture) of William Friese-Greene. This architectural sculpture was made in 1934 by Newbury Abbot Trent.

Nell Gwyn Statue

Statue of Nell Gwyn at Nell Gwyn House

At Nell Gwynn House on Sloane Avenue, you can see an architectural sculpture of Nell Gwyn. The date and artist are not known, but it's a part of the building's history.

Venus Fountain

The Venus Fountain in Sloane Square

Back in Sloane Square, the Venus Fountain is a beautiful bronze sculpture from 1953 by Gilbert Ledward. It was unveiled on October 26, 1953, with Sir Charles Maufe as the architect. This fountain is a Grade II listed artwork.

David Wynne Sculptures in Cadogan Square

The Dancers in Cadogan Square

Cadogan Square features several bronze sculptures by David Wynne. These include:

• Girl with Doves (1970)
• The Dancers (1971)
• Dancer with Bird (1974)

These sculptures add a touch of grace and movement to the square.

Young Girl Statue

In Sloane Gardens, there's a bronze statue called Young Girl from 1980 by Karin Jonzen.

The In-Pensioner Statue

The In-Pensioner statue

At the Royal Hospital, on the North Front, stands a bronze statue called The In-Pensioner. It was created in 2000 by Philip Jackson and unveiled on May 4, 2000. It honors the famous Chelsea Pensioners.

My Children Sculptures

One of the My Children sculptures

In Duke of York Square, you'll find My Children, a set of bronze sculptures from 2002 by Allister Bowtell. The pedestal was made by Richard Kindersley. These sculptures represent children from the Royal Military Asylum that used to be in the square.

Statue of Hans Sloane

Statue of Hans Sloane

Also in Duke of York Square, there's a statue of Hans Sloane from 2005. It was made by Simon Smith, based on an earlier work by John Michael Rysbrack. It's made of Portland stone and was unveiled on June 14, 2007.

Chelsea Arts Club Murals

The Chelsea Arts Club at 143 Old Church Street has various murals on its frontages. These artworks were created by different artists at different times, adding a unique artistic flair to the building.

Art Along Chelsea Embankment

The Chelsea Embankment is a lovely place for a walk, and you'll find several interesting artworks along the way.

George Sparks Memorial Fountain

Drinking fountain memorial to George Sparks

Outside Chelsea Old Church on Chelsea Embankment, there's a drinking fountain from 1880. It's a memorial to George Sparks and was designed by Charles Barry Jr..

Statue of Thomas Carlyle

Statue of Thomas Carlyle

In Chelsea Embankment Gardens, west of Oakley Street, stands a bronze statue of Thomas Carlyle. It was made in 1882 by Joseph Edgar Boehm and sits on a red granite base. This statue is a Grade II listed artwork.

Dante Gabriel Rossetti Memorial

Memorial to Dante Gabriel Rossetti

Near 16 Cheyne Walk, in Chelsea Embankment Gardens, you'll find a drinking fountain with a bust of Dante Gabriel Rossetti. This memorial, made of grey granite and bronze, was created in 1887 by Ford Madox Brown (the bust) and designed by architect John Pollard Seddon. It was unveiled on July 14, 1887. It's a Grade II listed artwork.

Carabiniers Boer War Memorial

Carabiniers Boer War Memorial

Built into the railings of Ranelagh Gardens, opposite Chelsea Bridge, is the Carabiniers Boer War Memorial. This screen with relief panels was made in 1905 by Adrian Jones. It's made of red brick, Portland stone, and bronze.

Awakening Statue

In Roper's Gardens, there's a bronze statue called Awakening. It was made in 1915 by Gilbert Ledward and was moved to this spot in 1965.

Atalanta Statue

Atalanta statue

Near Albert Bridge, you can see a bronze statue called Atalanta. It was created by Francis Derwent Wood in 1929, based on his earlier works. It's a Grade II listed artwork.

Woman Removing Her Dress Bas Relief

In Roper's Gardens, there's a bas relief (a sculpture that is slightly raised from its background) called Woman Removing Her Dress. It was made of Portland stone in 1950 by Jacob Epstein and unveiled on June 3, 1972.

Statue of Thomas More

Statue of Thomas More

Outside Chelsea Old Church on Cheyne Walk, there's a statue of Thomas More. This statue was made in 1968 by Leslie Cubitt Bevis and unveiled on July 21, 1969.

The Boy David Statuette

In Chelsea Embankment Gardens, east of Oakley Street, you'll find The Boy David. This fiberglass statuette on a pink granite column was made in 1971 by Edward Bainbridge Copnall, based on a work by Francis Derwent Wood. It was unveiled on May 8, 1971.

Boy with a Dolphin Sculpture

Boy with a Dolphin sculpture

At Cheyne Walk, near the corner of Oakley Street, there's a bronze sculpture called Boy with a Dolphin. It was created in 1974 by David Wynne and unveiled on October 13, 1975.

Statue of James McNeill Whistler

Statue of James McNeill Whistler

At Whistler's Reach, near Battersea Bridge, stands a bronze statue of James McNeill Whistler. It was made in 2003 by Nicholas Dimbleby and unveiled on September 15, 2005.

Bust of Ralph Vaughan Williams

Bust of Ralph Vaughan Williams

In Chelsea Embankment Gardens, you can see a bust (a sculpture of the head and shoulders) of Ralph Vaughan Williams. This bust was made in 2012 by Marcus Cornish and unveiled on September 5, 2012.

Statue of Hans Sloane at Chelsea Physic Garden

Statue of Hans Sloane at Chelsea Physic Garden

At the Chelsea Physic Garden, there's another statue of Hans Sloane. This one was made in 2014 by Simon Smith, again based on John Michael Rysbrack's original. It's made of Portland stone and was unveiled on April 28, 2014. The original statue was moved to the British Museum in 1983.

Ladbroke Grove Memorials

Ladbroke Grove has a significant memorial that remembers a sad event.

Ladbroke Grove Rail Crash Memorial

Memorial to the Ladbroke Grove rail crash

On Canal Way, there is a memorial to the Ladbroke Grove rail crash. This stele (a stone slab or pillar) was created in 2001 by Richard Healy. It serves as a place to remember those affected by the train accident.