Lower Shiplake War Memorial

Lower Shiplake War Memorial is a granite village memorial in Lower Shiplake, a Thames-side settlement in South Oxfordshire, a few miles from Henley-on-Thames. Historic England added it to the National Heritage List for England at Grade II on 5 July 2017.

What will you see?

The memorial stands on a small green. Its lower section is rough-hewn stone: a three-step base carrying a tapering plinth. Above it rises a slender square shaft of polished granite, about two metres tall, with recessed carved panels. At the top, a pair of volutes supports a wheel-cross decorated with Celtic-style carving.

Bronze plaques are fixed to the east and west faces. The west one names local men killed in 1914–1918, and the east one those lost in 1939–1945. Both close with the line "Their name liveth for evermore". Fifty-three names appear in total.

How did it come to be here?

The monument dates from around 1923, part of the wave of village memorials raised after the First World War. With the fallen buried abroad, such memorials became the place where communities gathered to grieve. The land was conveyed to the parish council for the purpose, and the Second World War names were added after 1945. Historic England cites both its value to local memory and its design, especially the volutes and Celtic carving.

How do you get there?

The memorial sits in the south-east corner of the green where the A4155 meets Station Road, right next to Shiplake railway station. Trains run on the Henley branch, usually with a change at Twyford from London Paddington. By car, Henley is a few minutes away. Coordinates: 51.5104 N, 0.8904 W.

When should you visit?

The memorial is open air and free, accessible all year. Daylight shows the carving and plaque lettering best. The key date is Remembrance Sunday in November, when services are held at memorials across Britain. On other days it makes a quiet stop on a local walk.

What else is nearby?

Shiplake lies close to the Thames Path, so the memorial pairs easily with a riverside walk. Shiplake Memorial Hall, opened in 1927 as a village hall given by the Mardon family in memory of their son, is also in the village. For a longer outing, Henley-on-Thames, home of the famous regatta, is close.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entry fee? No. The memorial stands on an open green and can be visited at any time.

What is it made of? Granite, with bronze name plaques.

How many names are recorded? Fifty-three in total, from both world wars.

Is it a listed monument? Yes. It has been Grade II listed since 2017.