Statue of David Lloyd George

Statue of David Lloyd George is a bronze sculpture in Parliament Square, in the City of Westminster, London. It portrays David Lloyd George, the Welsh statesman who led Britain as prime minister during the final years of the First World War and the period that followed. The work is by the sculptor Glynn Williams.

What can you see at the Statue of David Lloyd George?

The figure stands about 2.4 metres (8 feet) tall and is cast in bronze. Lloyd George is shown in a declamatory pose, as if addressing a crowd, with a cape swirling behind him. The bronze rests on a plinth of Welsh slate, a fitting material for a man who became the most prominent Welshman in British politics. The setting matters as much as the sculpture: the statue looks out across the square opposite the Houses of Parliament, where he spent much of his career.

Who was David Lloyd George?

Lloyd George was a Liberal politician and one of the most influential figures in twentieth-century British public life. He served as prime minister from 1916 to 1922 and is remembered for leading the country through the later stages of the First World War. For many Welsh visitors he remains a national symbol, which explains the long campaign to see him commemorated in the capital.

How did the statue come about?

The monument was paid for by the David Lloyd George Statue Appeal, a charitable trust that also received support from the Prince of Wales. The idea grew from a letter by John Grigg, one of Lloyd George's biographers, who pointed out that London had no statue of him. Michael Heseltine chaired the panel that chose the artist, and Professor Glynn Williams won the commission. The Prince of Wales unveiled the statue in October 2007.

Why is it a little controversial?

Not everyone welcomed the monument. Commentators noted that Lloyd George had sold honours to raise money for his party, and that legacy sits uneasily beside the heroic pose. Visiting the statue is a chance to think about how a public figure can be both celebrated and criticised.

Practical tips for visitors

• Location: Parliament Square, City of Westminster, central London. The statue stands outdoors and is free to see at any time.
• Nearby: The Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and the other statues of statesmen around the square are all within a few minutes' walk.
• Best time: Early morning gives the clearest photos of the bronze with fewer crowds in the square.
• Getting there: Westminster Underground station is right beside the square.

Frequently asked questions

Who made the Statue of David Lloyd George? The sculptor is Glynn Williams, selected by a panel chaired by Michael Heseltine.

When was it unveiled? In October 2007, by the Prince of Wales.

How tall is it? Roughly 2.4 metres (8 feet), standing on a Welsh slate plinth.

Is there an entry fee? No. It is an open-air monument in a public square.

Where exactly is it? In Parliament Square, near the coordinates 51.5008, -0.1267, opposite the Palace of Westminster.