South Bank Lion, Stone statue near Westminster Bridge, England
Description
The South Bank Lion is a stone lion sculpture made of Coade stone and stands near Westminster Bridge on London's South Bank. The figure shows a reclining lion in realistic form positioned on a substantial granite base.
History
The sculpture was created in 1837 by sculptor William Frederick Woodington and originally decorated the roofline of the Lion Brewery along the Thames. After the brewery building was demolished in 1949, the work was relocated to its current position beside County Hall.
Culture
The statue forms part of the South Bank Sculpture Stroll, representing a connection between the historical industrial heritage and modern urban art landscape.
Practical
The sculpture stands directly beside County Hall and is easily visible from all sides, especially when approaching from Westminster Bridge. You can visit at any time of day, and there is plenty of space nearby to view it from different angles.
Did you know?
When the lion was moved in 1966, workers discovered a hidden cavity inside containing a sealed bottle with coins from the reign of King William IV and a trade card from the Coade stone factory. This time capsule had been deliberately placed there by the original craftsmen.
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