Statue of Alfred the Great

The Statue of Alfred the Great is a bronze monument on a stone pedestal in Trinity Church Square in Southwark, London. The figure shows the king holding a sword and scroll and stands about 8 feet (2.4 meters) tall.

The monument was erected in 1901 when the country marked the thousandth anniversary of the death of Alfred the Great, who ruled as an Anglo-Saxon king from 871 to 899. The statue recalls his defense against Viking raids and his reforms in education.

The king appears in medieval dress and wears a crown, while the sword points to his role as defender of the realm. The text on the scroll recalls his efforts to promote learning and literacy in early England.

The square lies close to Borough High Street and is easy to reach by public transport. The gardens around the statue are accessible during the day and offer a quiet spot for a short rest.

The monument was originally intended for Westminster Palace but was eventually placed in Southwark, where fewer visitors know about it. The square is one of the few Georgian garden spaces in this part of London that remain in their original layout.

Location: London Borough of Southwark

Part of: list of statues of British royalty in London

GPS coordinates: 51.49889,-0.09361

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:23