As we discovered, there’s a lot of history – sculptures and memorials on our walk to Battersea Park – even just that short distance between the two bridges – Battersea and Prince Albert Bridge.
Battersea Bridge
Prince Albert Bridge
On the north side of the embankment, there’s Roper’s Garden – a little park that was created on the site of buildings that were destroyed during the second World War.
Right next to it is the Old Church located on Old Church Street – the oldest street in Chelsea.
Sir Thomas More rebuilt it when he moved to Chelsea in the 1500s. He worshipped there with his family. But it was largely destroyed during air raids in World War II and rebuilt in 1949/50.
We went to have a peek inside – but wasn’t allowed in, of course.
Right outside the church is a statue of Sir Thomas More by L. Cubitt Bevis and was erected as recently as 1969.
And just there on the corner is a plaque under a lamp post which commemorates the opening of the Chelsea Embankment in 1874 – which was at that time a major engineering feat and forever changed the face of the riverside. I guess we take it for granted now as we walk along the river enjoying the views.
Further along, there’s a drinking fountain. It is a memorial to George Sparks – a “great and good man”. It was erected in 1880 by his widow. She must have loved him A LOT!
Further along is another memorial – one more subtle – a bird bath for Margaret Dawson.
There is also a statue of Thomas Carlye. It was erected in 1882. He died nearby at Great Cheyne Row, Chelsea in 1881.
Finally we reach “Boy and Dolphin” created by Sir David Wynne – this is one of the most graceful sculptures in London. And it is right before we cross over the road to the Albert Bridge – and right in front of that Mercedes Benz dealership.
As we cross over the road to the embankment side, just before we walk onto the bridge, there’s a bronze statue called the Atalanta
It was an example of the works of F. Derwent Wood, a sculptor (1871-1926). The statue was placed there by Members of the Chelsea Arts Club and other friends in his memory.
All along the Thames embankments are these dolphin lamps and sphinx ended benches. The lamp posts have become as iconic to London just like the Ben Big and double decker buses!
Checking out the sphinx heads!
Well, it’s definitely full of stories along this walk and we have not even got on the bridge yet! Mummy wonders if she could possibly add another memorial one day – everyone seems to do so.
More later …
May’s comment: A goal – to walk the whole Embankment – what a great way to learn the history of London
