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Latitude: 51.3886 / 51°23'18"N
Longitude: -2.377 / 2°22'37"W
OS Eastings: 373866
OS Northings: 165569
OS Grid: ST738655
Mapcode National: GBR 0Q8.ZVF
Mapcode Global: VH96L.RC8C
Plus Code: 9C3V9JQF+C6
Entry Name: Shakespeare Monument in the Great Dell of the Botanical Gardens
Listing Date: 5 August 1975
Last Amended: 15 October 2010
Grade: II
Source: Historic England
Source ID: 1394762
English Heritage Legacy ID: 510167
ID on this website: 101394762
Location: Royal Victoria Park, Weston Park, Bath and North East Somerset, Somerset, BA1
County: Bath and North East Somerset
Parish: Non Civil Parish
Built-Up Area: Bath
Traditional County: Somerset
Lieutenancy Area (Ceremonial County): Somerset
Church of England Parish: Bath St Michael Without
Church of England Diocese: Bath and Wells
Tagged with: Monument
ROYAL VICTORIA PARK
656-1/28/2457 (South side)
Shakespeare Monument in the
Great Dell of the Botanical Gardens
(Formerly Listed as:
VICTORIA PARK
Shakespeare Monument)
05/08/75
GV II
Monument in the form of a Roman altar. 1864. By C.E. Davis. Bath limestone. Square plinth on stepped circular base. Segmental top has scrolled sides with paterae at ends. Cyma moulded acanthus cornice over egg-and-dart frieze. Elaborate stone laurel leaf festoons to each facet are suspended from square stone buckles at each corner below frieze. Upper part of base has similar reversed cornice to that at top and roll moulded base. Inscription on front reads 'The City of Bath celebrated the three hundredth anniversary of the birth of SHAKESPEARE April XXIII MDCCCLXIV Jeromah Bell Esq. Mayor'. On the west side is the quotation 'Tongues speak. This was a man. Take him for all in all We shall not look on his like again'.
HISTORY: This monument, remarkably classical given its subject, was erected to commemorate tercentenary of Shakespeare's birth, and was one of Charles Davis's first commissions as newly appointed City Surveyor (1863). Victoria Park was laid out in 1830 on the former Barton Fields, an area of common land and was opened by the Duchess of Kent with her daughter, Princess Victoria, on October 23rd 1830. It was the country's first municipal park.
SOURCES: Bath History: Whalley R: The Royal Victoria Park: Bath: 1994-: 147-169.
Listing NGR: ST7386665569
External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.
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