Albert Memorial – London Attractions

We recommend visiting the Albert Memorial in Kensington Gardens if you plan a trip to London soon. Queen Victoria commissioned it in honour of the passing of her beloved husband, Prince Albert, who died of Typhoid Fever at the young age of 42.

Visitors to London’s beautiful Hyde Park are in for a real treat regarding the impressive and unique attractions this green and airy outdoor space offers. The Albert Memorial is perhaps one of the most remarkable attractions, with its intricately carved and crafted facade depicting a host of classical figures from art, literature, poetry, engineering and all manner of cultural pursuits.

Officially termed the Prince Consort National Memorial, its location is almost suitable and perfect in what has been popularly termed “Albertopolis.” The Memorial lies within a cluster of the museums in Kensington that remain Prince Albert’s most significant legacy to Britain: the Science Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Royal Albert Hall—built with the proceeds of the Great Exhibition of 1851—and, of course, the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Prince Albert

Albert, Queen Victoria’s German-born husband (and first cousin), was a passionate supporter of the arts who navigated Britain from one impressive triumph to another. However, when he died suddenly of typhoid — Although it is claimed it was Crohn’s disease, not typhoid — in 1861 at age 42, the devastated Queen abruptly withdrew from the merriment. She remained in mourning until she died in 1901, shaping the Victorian mentality. She arranged for this astounding spire—part bombast, part elegy—to be erected in 1872 opposite the concert hall he spearheaded. Its nearly 200 figures represent the continents and the sciences; some, higher up, represent angels and virtues. It’s Victorian high-mindedness in stone. Albert is gleaming in gold at the centre, as if on an altar.

Provenance of The Memorial

When Prince Albert died unexpectedly, Queen Victoria was grief-stricken. Therefore, she began a considerable effort to memorialise and commemorate her husband in any way possible. The Albert Memorial visually explains how Queen Victoria saw her husband.

In a letter, the novelist Charles Dickens commented to his friend John Leech: ‘If you should meet an accessible cave anywhere in the neighbourhood, to which a hermit could retire from the memory of Prince Albert and testimonials to the same, pray let me know it.’ This is where the Brits come to the Albert Memorial and Royal Albert Hall – a Taj Mahal from the Queen. The Brits aren’t known for flashy, gold monuments, so tourists may be surprised to see the glimmering Albert Memorial in Kensington Gardens.

A team of people close to Victoria collaborated on various ideas for a monument that would please the Queen. The Albert Memorial was always part of the plan following the Prince’s death. In 1862, the Lord Mayor, William Cubitt, headed a committee to find a suitable design for a lasting public memorial, including a statue of the Prince under the Queen’s orders. Design and deliberation went on for years, and it was not until 1863 that Victoria formally approved the monument’s design. The winning design was by noted architect George Gilbert Scott.

The Architect

It is an unlikely truth that the man behind the magnificent memorial to Queen Victoria’s beloved husband is perhaps best known as a designer of workhouses for the poor.

Sir George Gilbert Scott was born in 1811 in Gawcott, Buckinghamshire. He started in architecture by designing gaols and workhouses but later studied French Gothic Cathedrals and Churches, being much influenced by Augustus Welby Pugin’s ideas.

Sir Gilbert Scott left a legacy after he died in 1878 that’s almost unrivalled by modern architects. He represented the quintessence of High Victorian Gothic architecture and was responsible for an immense amount of such work. He was concerned with creating, restoring and altering some 730 buildings. Some of his best work is St Giles’ Church in Camberwell, the Midland Railway Terminus Hotel at St Pancras and the Foreign Office in Whitehall, all in London. He is also known for designing the famous Red Telephone Box.

Working on the Albert Memorial was a challenge for him and his team of builders. After many delays—some due to rising public costs—the 176-foot-tall Albert Memorial was officially opened by the Queen in 1872, although Albert’s statue wasn’t seated until three years later. Construction cost around £120,000, equivalent to £10million in today’s money.

The Fascinating Monument

Several unique aspects of the monument ensure it stands out as a shining example of Victorian design. Its impressive Parnassus frieze ensconcing the structure’s base features an array of famous and classical figures.

In one of the statue’s hands is a catalogue of the Great Exhibition, which the Prince had organised. Above the statue is a Gothic canopy called The Parnassus frieze featuring mosaics depicting allegorical figures of the arts – painting, poetry, sculpture and architecture. Also adorned on the sides are eight statues representing Christian virtues, including faith, hope and charity. The canopy has words surrounding it: “Queen Victoria and Her People. To The Memory of Albert Prince Consort. As A Tribute to their Gratitude. For A Life Devoted to the Public Good.”

At the base of the canopy are four white sculptures depicting Victorian industries and sciences, including agriculture, commerce, engineering, and manufacturing. Situated further from the statue are four more sculpture sets depicting four continents: Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Africa. A group of people and products associated with each continent sit on four different animals—a cow, camel, bison, and bull.

Restoration

Over the years, the memorial saw some decline, and many decades were spent coloured black instead of gold. Before its restoration and re-gilding early this century, English Heritage discovered the black coating on Albert’s statue pre-dated the war and believed it might have been painted as such following pollution damage to the gold, not in an attempt to hide the landmark from the enemy during the two World Wars as had been previously thought.

The Secret Chamber in Albert Memorial

The monument stands 176 feet high and weighs thousands of tonnes, and any building of this magnitude has to have solid foundations that can take the weight. Underground in a chamber, sadly unseen by the public, are more than 800 columns and arches assisting with the support of the structure above the ground. The only evidence that anything exists below ground is a manhole.

Other Nearby Attractions

However, it is not just the Albert Memorial that continues to draw busy travellers back time and again to this popular part of the English capital, with many other outstanding attractions available for anyone heading to the area to enjoy.

The Royal Albert Hall is just a few minutes from the Albert Memorial and offers visitors the chance to sample an array of theatrical and musical performances throughout the year. Meanwhile, other attractions of Hyde Park include the excellent Serpentine Galleries, a visit to the Diana Princess of Wales, Memorial Fountain, boating on the Serpentine Lake, or a trip to the famed Speakers’ Corner. Buckingham Palace is only 15 minutes away by car from The Memorial.

Other nearby attractions that individuals planning a trip to the area might enjoy include the Natural History Museum, Kensington Palace, the Notting Hill Arts Club, the Wellington Arch, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and much more.

The Albert Memorial is open all year long, every day until Hyde Park closes for visitors (around nightfall).

Go on a guided tour to learn more about the Prince Albert Monument; we suggest this to gain better insight.

Visiting the Albert Memorial

For those planning a visit to London, a trip to the Albert Memorial is an absolute must. Whether you’re a history buff, an architecture enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates beauty and craftsmanship, the memorial has something to offer everyone. Guided tours are available for those who wish to learn more about its history and significance, or you can simply wander its grounds at your own pace, taking in its splendour and majesty at leisure.

The memorial is open to the public year-round, and admission is free, making it an accessible and affordable destination for visitors of all ages. Whether you’re visiting London for the first time or a seasoned traveller looking to discover something new, the Albert Memorial will leave a lasting impression and create memories that will stay with you long after you return home.

Conclusion

In a city renowned for its iconic landmarks and historic monuments, the Albert Memorial stands out as a true gem. With its exquisite architecture, rich symbolism, and timeless beauty, it serves as a fitting tribute to Prince Albert and a testament to the enduring legacy of the Victorian era. Whether you’re drawn to its grandeur, history, or simply its stunning aesthetic, visiting the Albert Memorial is an experience you won’t soon forget.

Have you ever visited the Monument? We would love to know what you thought of it 🙂

Also Check some other popular London attractions that you should visit: South Bank, Camden Town Markets and St. Paul’s Cathedral.