Project Historical Monument
Location Great Yarmouth, NorfolkThe monument was erected between 1817 and 1819 on the sands of South Denes to commemorate Nelson’s principal victories at Aboukir, St. Vincent, Copenhagen and Trafalgar. It was originally proposed for Norwich, but a coastal site was considered more appropriate and the Great Yarmouth site was chosen. The funds came from public subscription, producing a total of nearly £7,000. The designer was William Wilkins Junior who was later to be the architect of the National Gallery and of University College, London and he was also responsible for a number of projects in East Anglia.
The monument takes the form of a fluted doric column standing upon a pedestal with a broad plinth as a base. Four axial flights of steps give access onto the plinth. On top of the column’s capital is a drum or plinth which carries six caryatids, who support on their heads a circular cornice and cupola and a figure of Britannia who stands upon a globe.
Originally isolated amongst the sand dunes, the monument has over the years become engulfed by factories and workshops.
A programme of repair has been completed with substantial Heritage Lottery funding. The propsals involved detailed assesment of the condition of the sandstone which had been been affected by salt laden air and a full schedule of repair and conservation together with proposals for enhancing the area around it.
Nelson's Monument
