
Albert Memorial, London
Inaugurated in 1876 under the architectural direction of George Gilbert Scott, the Albert Memorial, located on the southern edge of Kensington Gardens, serves as both a tribute to the remarkable accomplishments of the United Kingdom and as a commemoration of Queen Victoria's consort. Prince Albert, who tragically succumbed to typhoid in 1861 at the age of 42, is portrayed beneath the central canopy of the memorial, covered entirely in gold leaf and holding a catalog from the 1851 Great Exhibition.
The grandeur of this monument is truly impressive: its spire reaches a towering height of 180 feet, adorned with semiprecious stones and various marbles. A marble frieze encircles the pediment, featuring 169 life-sized male figures in high relief, representing poets, musicians, painters, architects, and sculptors from ancient Egypt onward. Atop the pillars stand bronze statues symbolizing Astronomy, Chemistry, Geology, and Geometry. Bronze statues symbolizing Astronomy, Chemistry, Geology, and Geometry crown the pillars, while mosaics depict Poetry, Painting, Architecture, and Sculpture. Four exterior marble groupings represent the continents, and various other statues pay tribute to Agriculture, Commerce, and other facets of imperial economics.
For those exploring Kensington Gardens, the Albert Memorial is accessible at any time during the park's operational hours (6am to 7:30pm); however, those desiring a closer look at the frieze or access inside the memorial railings will need to participate in a guided tour.
The grandeur of this monument is truly impressive: its spire reaches a towering height of 180 feet, adorned with semiprecious stones and various marbles. A marble frieze encircles the pediment, featuring 169 life-sized male figures in high relief, representing poets, musicians, painters, architects, and sculptors from ancient Egypt onward. Atop the pillars stand bronze statues symbolizing Astronomy, Chemistry, Geology, and Geometry. Bronze statues symbolizing Astronomy, Chemistry, Geology, and Geometry crown the pillars, while mosaics depict Poetry, Painting, Architecture, and Sculpture. Four exterior marble groupings represent the continents, and various other statues pay tribute to Agriculture, Commerce, and other facets of imperial economics.
For those exploring Kensington Gardens, the Albert Memorial is accessible at any time during the park's operational hours (6am to 7:30pm); however, those desiring a closer look at the frieze or access inside the memorial railings will need to participate in a guided tour.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in London. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Albert Memorial on Map
Sight Name: Albert Memorial
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Statue/Public Art
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Statue/Public Art
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in London, England
Create Your Own Walk in London
Creating your own self-guided walk in London is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Harry Potter Walking Tour I
The Harry Potter phenomenon began with author J.K. Rowling, who famously dreamed up the series while delayed on a train from Manchester to London. With the release of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in 1997, the literary world changed forever. Across seven books, readers followed Harry’s evolution from an orphaned schoolboy at Hogwarts to a brave young wizard confronting evil... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Kensington/Knightsbridge Walking Tour
Situated just below Hyde Park, Knightsbridge and South Kensington are two adjacent neighborhoods with grand Victorian homes and leafy garden squares. Home to London’s most expensive homes, Knightsbridge has some of the highest density of millionaires in the world. This is clearly reflected in the selection of stores & restaurants in the area, including the famous Harvey Nichols and Harrods... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles
Harry Potter Walking Tour II
The Harry Potter movies and London go together like Butterbeer and a cold winter night at Hogsmeade. While much of the magical world was brought to life with computer-generated images and studio sets, quite a few iconic scenes were filmed right in the heart of the British capital, transforming ordinary city spots into wizarding landmarks. Here's a look at six more London locations where the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Covent Garden Walking Tour
A shopping and entertainment hub on the eastern fringes of London's West End, Covent Garden is a district historically associated with the former fruit-and-vegetable market – currently a shopping spot popular with locals and tourists alike.
Once a slum area, today the north of the district is given over to independent shops centered on Neal's Yard and Seven Dials. Both places offer... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Once a slum area, today the north of the district is given over to independent shops centered on Neal's Yard and Seven Dials. Both places offer... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
South Bank Walking Tour
London’s South Bank, stretching along the southern side of the River Thames, roughly between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, is one of the most interesting and liveliest parts of the British capital. Here, London’s old soul and modern edge shake hands... and then probably go grab a pint together. Famous for its arts, culture, food, and scenic riverside walks, the area has a long and... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles
Sherlock Holmes Tour in London
Among a myriad of other, real-life celebrities who have ever called London their home, perhaps the most famous is the fictional consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes, created by Conan Doyle. Indeed, the ingenious sleuth has left an indelible mark on the literary and cultural landscape of London ever since the appearance of the first stories about him in the late 1880s. Years on, there are several... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
London Souvenirs: 18 Distinctively British Products for Travelers
Most visitors to London consider shopping as part of their must-do London experience. From street markets to Victorian arcades to snobbish Sloane Square to busy Oxford Street, there are a host of shops selling items which typically represent this vibrant city. Whether you are shopping for souvenirs...