Anglo-Belgian Memorial

Anglo-Belgian Memorial in London is a monument of thanks on Victoria Embankment, in the City of Westminster, facing Cleopatra's Needle across the road. Belgium presented it to Britain in gratitude for help during the First World War, above all for taking in thousands of Belgians who fled their country after the German invasion of 1914.

What is the Anglo-Belgian Memorial?

You may also see it called the Belgian Gratitude Memorial, the Belgian Refugees Memorial or the Belgian Monument to the British Nation. It is a gift from one people to another. It does not commemorate a battle or fallen soldiers. It honours hospitality: Britain sheltered a vast number of Belgian refugees during the war, and this is their public thank-you.

Who designed it and when was it unveiled?

The centrepiece is a bronze group by the Belgian sculptor Victor Rousseau, who spent part of the war as a refugee in London himself. The Portland stone setting was designed by the British architect Reginald Blomfield. Princess Clementine unveiled the memorial on 12 October 1920, Belgian prime minister Léon Delacroix presented it, and Lord Curzon accepted it on Britain's behalf. The date was chosen with care: it was the fifth anniversary of the execution of Edith Cavell, the British nurse tied to the Brussels network that helped soldiers escape occupied Belgium.

What will you see there?

The bronze shows a woman with children carrying flowers, a composition meant to express care and gratitude. The official listing praises the quality of the casting and calls it a rare example in England of continental public statuary. Portland stone frames the sculpture with carved detail. Historic England lists the memorial at Grade II*, a status reserved for particularly important buildings and structures, and the entry stresses its group value alongside the neighbouring Cleopatra's Needle.

How do you get to Victoria Embankment?

The memorial stands on the riverside promenade by the Thames, next to Cleopatra's Needle, a short walk from Embankment and Charing Cross stations. From Trafalgar Square it takes only a few minutes on foot, heading downhill towards the river. It is in a public space, free to view at any hour.

When is the best time to visit?

Morning or late-afternoon light gives the best photographs, when the bronze stands out clearly against the pale stone. The memorial fits naturally into a walk along the river, with Cleopatra's Needle, Hungerford Bridge and the embankment gardens close by. Fifteen minutes is plenty for the monument itself, so it works well as a stop on a longer Westminster route.

Why is it worth seeing?

It is one of London's quieter monuments and easy to walk past. It tells a story guidebooks rarely cover: the mass exodus of 1914 and the way London became a temporary home for Belgians. If you care about war memorials, public sculpture or the First World War seen through civilian experience, it deserves a pause.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an entrance fee? No. The memorial stands on a public promenade and is free to see at any time.

Who created the Anglo-Belgian Memorial? Victor Rousseau made the sculpture and Reginald Blomfield designed the architectural setting. It was unveiled on 12 October 1920.

What does the monument commemorate? Belgian gratitude for British support in the First World War, especially for sheltering refugees in 1914.

How long should I allow? About 10 to 15 minutes. Combine it with a look at Cleopatra's Needle and a walk along the Thames.