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About this place
Elveden War Memorial is a towering First World War column in West Suffolk, eastern England. Topped with a stone urn and rising more than 30 metres, it is visible from a long way off and counts among the most striking war memorials in the county.
What is this memorial?
The column was designed by Clyde Francis Young and unveiled on 21 November 1921 by Field Marshal Sir Henry Wilson. The Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich dedicated it. It commemorates the dead of three parishes: Eriswell, Icklingham and Elveden. The shaft is built of Weldon stone and the urn on top of Portland stone.
The monument is tied to the Guinness family, owners of the neighbouring Elveden Estate and Elveden Hall, seat of the Earls of Iveagh. Local accounts say Lord Iveagh wanted it to outdo the Earl of Leicester's column at Holkham Hall, yet stay shorter than Nelson's Column.
Why is it listed?
Historic England listed the memorial in 1954 at Grade II*, a high category, and amended the entry in 2016. Its historic, architectural and sculptural qualities, along with the design, underpin the status. Names from the Second World War were added later, among them Viscount Elveden, killed in action near Nijmegen.
Where is it and how do you get there?
The column stands on the north side of the A11 at Weather Heath, where the boundaries of the three parishes meet. A car is the easiest way to reach it. Park safely, as the road is busy, and remember this is a place of remembrance rather than a visitor attraction with facilities.
What else is nearby?
The surrounding land once formed part of the Guinness estate. The village of Elveden and its estate lie close by, with the pine forests of the Breckland beyond. The memorial fits neatly into a short outing through this corner of Suffolk.
When should you visit?
It is open to view all year. Daylight gives the best photographs.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an admission fee? No. The memorial stands in the open by the road and is free to see.
Can you climb the column? No, it is a monument to view from outside.
Who designed it? Clyde Francis Young. It was unveiled in 1921.
How tall is it? More than 30 metres, making it one of the tallest war memorials in Suffolk.
What protection does it have? Grade II* on Historic England's National Heritage List.
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