Albert Memorial Architecture – London Hyde Park

Albert Memorial Photos, Hyde Park London Architecture, Kensington Gardens Building Pictures, Location

Albert Memorial London : Hyde Park Architecture

Hyde Park Building in west London, England, UK – design by George Gilbert Scott, architect

12 Jul 2009

Albert Memorial in Kensington Gardens

Location: northside of Kensington Gore, Hyde Park / Kensington Gardens, West London

Albert Memorial Hyde Park West London
photo © Nick Weall

Date of consruction: 1872-76

Architect: George Gilbert Scott

Unveiled in 1872, The Albert Memorial commemorates the death of Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband, who died of typhoid fever at the age of 42.

Influenced by the series of 13th Century Eleanor Crosses (Charing Cross is a famous example) and other statues in Edinburgh and Manchester, the monumental structure in Kensington Gardens is one of the grandest high-Victorian Gothic extravaganzas anywhere.

Albert Memorial Kensington Gardens London
photo © Nick Weall

Officially titled the Prince Consort National Memorial, the design by architect George Gilbert Scott celebrates Victorian achievement and Prince Albert’s passions and interests.

Albert Memorial London Kensington Gore Memorial London West London high-Victorian Gothic structure Hyde Park Memorial London by architect George Gilbert Scott
photos © Adrian Welch

The memorial shows Prince Albert holding the catalogue of the Great Exhibition, held in Hyde Park in 1851, which he inspired and helped to organise.

Marble figures representing Europe, Asia, Africa and America stand at each corner of the memorial, and higher up are further figures representing manufacture, commerce, agriculture and engineering. Yet further up, near the top, are gilded bronze statues of the angels and virtues.

All around the base of the memorial the Parnassus frieze depicts celebrated painters, poets sculptors, musicians and architects, reflecting Albert’s enthusiasm for the arts. There are 187 exquisitely carved figures in the frieze.

Hyde Park Memorial Albert Memorial Memorial in Kensington Gardens Kensington Gardens Memorial
photos © Adrian Welch

Address: Kensington Gardens, London W2 2UH

Phone: 020 7298 2000

George Gilbert Scott

Location: Kensington Gardens, west London, England, UK

Architecture in London

Contemporary Architecture in London

London Architecture Links – chronological list

Another Hyde Park monument on e-architect:

Marble Arch

Adjacent structure to the Albert Memorial:
Royal Albert Hall, Kensington
Royal Albert Hall building
photo © Adrian Welch

Building close by, to the south of Kensington Gore:
Natural History Museum

Building close by, to the north, in Kensington Gardens:
Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2009

St James’s Palace

London Architecture

London Architecture Walking Tours

London Architect

60-70 St Mary Axe
Design: Foggo Associates Architects
60-70 St Mary Axe Skyscraper
image courtesy of the architects

Comments / photos for the Albert Memorial London Architecture page welcome

Website: www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/kensington-gardens/things-to-see-and-do/memorials-fountains-and-statues/the-albert-memorial