Statue of Queen Victoria

The Statue of Queen Victoria stands on the Hove seafront, at the southern end of Grand Avenue, in the Brighton and Hove area of East Sussex. It is the work of Thomas Brock. Portslade-by-Sea lies a few kilometres to the west along the coast, so it fits easily into a seaside walk or ride.

What is the statue and who made it?

The monument is a bronze figure of the queen on a plinth of Aberdeen granite. Brock, a leading sculptor of the late Victorian period, produced fourteen statues of Victoria over his career, and this is one of them. The design dates from 1897, work started in March 1899, and the statue was unveiled on 9 February 1901, a few weeks after the queen died. The cost was around £3,000, and an inscription on the plinth credits the inhabitants of Hove.

What will you see?

Victoria is shown wearing a crown and veil, with an orb and sceptre in her hands. The orb carries a small winged Victory. The figure faces south, towards the sea. Including the base, the monument rises to roughly 4 metres. Brock made this version taller than his statue in Worcester, so it reads well from a distance along the promenade.

The granite plinth has four bronze relief panels. They illustrate Empire, Education, Science and Art, and Commerce, the themes by which Victorian Britain liked to describe its achievements. A Latin inscription runs around the top of the plinth.

Is it a listed monument?

Yes. Historic England protects the statue as a Grade II listed building (list entry 1187555). It is one of several Victoria statues in the country with this status.

How do you get there?

The statue is on the seafront between Hove Lawns and the King Alfred area, close to the junction with Grand Avenue. From Hove station it is about a 15-minute walk south. Buses along the coast road stop nearby, and from Portslade-by-Sea you can walk or cycle east along the seafront path. Parking on the front is limited, so a bus or train is the easier choice.

When is the best time to visit?

The statue is outdoors and free to see at any hour. Morning and late afternoon give the best light on the bronze, and a summer evening on the promenade is pleasant. Wind from the Channel can be strong in autumn and winter, so bring a jacket.

What else is nearby?

Hove Lawns, the beach huts and the long promenade lie within a few minutes' walk. The Georgian squares of Brunswick Town are close by, and the centre of Brighton is about 3 km east along the seafront.

Frequently asked questions

Who sculpted the Hove statue of Queen Victoria? Thomas Brock, who made fourteen statues of the queen.

When was it unveiled? On 9 February 1901.

Is the statue listed? Yes, it has Grade II status with Historic England.

Does it cost anything to visit? No. It stands in the open on the seafront and can be visited at any time.