Battle of Britain Monument

Battle of Britain Monument is a bronze-and-granite memorial on the Victoria Embankment in the City of Westminster, London, facing the River Thames. It honours the airmen and ground crews who defended Britain against the Luftwaffe in 1940. Sculptor Paul Day created it, and it was unveiled on 18 September 2005, exactly 65 years after the height of the battle, by the Prince of Wales with the Duchess of Cornwall.

What will you see?

The monument runs along a granite structure about 25 metres long on the riverside. Its bronze work includes two large high-relief friezes and a group of figures. The central piece, titled "Scramble", shows pilots sprinting towards their aircraft as the alarm sounds. The other scenes depict life during the air raids: families sheltering, ground crews at work and civilians living under the bombs.

Bronze plaques around the outside carry the names of 2,936 airmen and ground personnel from 14 countries. They are a reminder that the defence of Britain involved pilots from Poland, Czechoslovakia, Canada, New Zealand and many other nations, not only the British.

Why is it built on this structure?

The granite base is older than the memorial. It dates to the 19th-century embankment works and originally served as a vent for smoke from the underground railway, back when trains ran on steam. The idea of a memorial here came from Bill Bond, founder of the Battle of Britain Historical Society, and Westminster City Council provided the site.

How do you get there?

The monument stands on Victoria Embankment, close to Westminster Bridge and Westminster Pier, directly across the river from the London Eye. The nearest Underground stations are Westminster and Embankment, each a short walk away. The RAF Memorial is nearby, so the two fit easily into a single stroll.

When should you visit, and for how long?

It is free and always accessible, as it stands in the open air. Allow 15 to 30 minutes to look at the sculpture and read the names. Early mornings are the quietest, while daylight brings out the detail of the bronze. Mid-September has a special atmosphere, when the anniversary of the battle is marked.

What else is nearby?

The Embankment walk leads to Westminster Bridge, the Palace of Westminster with Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey. Across the Thames are the London Eye and the South Bank. River cruises depart from Westminster Pier.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? No. It is an open-air memorial on the riverside and free to visit at any time.

Who made the Battle of Britain Monument? Sculptor Paul Day. It was unveiled on 18 September 2005.

Is it the same as the Battle of Britain Memorial in Capel-le-Ferne? No. That memorial is a separate site on the Kent cliffs. This one stands in central London beside the Thames.

Whose names are on the plaques? They list 2,936 airmen and ground crew from 14 countries who took part in the Battle of Britain.