Statue of the Duke of Wellington on South East Corner of Woodhouse Moor

The Statue of the Duke of Wellington on Woodhouse Moor is a bronze monument in the south-east corner of the large public park north of central Leeds, West Yorkshire. The figure stands on a polished granite pedestal and has been listed Grade II on the National Heritage List for England since 1976.

Who is it, and who made it?

The statue commemorates Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, the victor of Waterloo, who died in 1852. The sculptor was Carlo Marochetti, an Italian-born artist who worked in France and Britain. The heritage listing dates the work to 1854 and its erection to 1858. One source says Leeds residents raised about £1,500 to pay for it.

Why is it on Woodhouse Moor and not by the Town Hall?

When it was unveiled in 1858, the statue stood outside the newly finished Town Hall in the city centre. In 1937 the council moved it to Woodhouse Moor, together with the statues of Queen Victoria and Sir Robert Peel, to clear space for a municipal car park. All three now stand in the park. The listing, last amended in 1996, covers Wellington's position in this corner of the moor.

What will you see?

It is a textbook piece of Victorian civic sculpture: dark bronze set against pale, polished granite. Walk around the pedestal to take in its proportions and inscriptions. The park itself is a wide, open green with paths, popular with walkers, runners and weekend events. The other two relocated monuments are nearby, so a short stroll lets you see the whole group that once graced central Leeds.

How do you get there, and is it free?

The statue is in a public park with no fence and no ticket. You can visit at any hour. Woodhouse Moor lies in the Hyde Park district, about 1.5 km north of the city centre and close to the University of Leeds campus. From the centre you can walk, or take a local bus towards Headingley or Hyde Park. The coordinates are 53.8082 N, 1.5598 W. Do not confuse it with London's Hyde Park Corner, which has a different Wellington monument.

When should you go?

Late spring to early autumn is best, when the grass is green and daylight brings out the texture of the bronze. A visit takes 10 to 15 minutes, longer if you combine it with a walk through the park.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Leeds Wellington statue a listed monument?

Yes. It is Grade II listed on the National Heritage List for England, with an entry dated 5 August 1976.

Has it always stood on Woodhouse Moor?

No. It stood outside the Town Hall from 1858 and was moved to the park in 1937.

Do I need a ticket?

No. The statue stands in an open public park.

Is it the same statue as the one at Hyde Park Corner in London?

No. The London monument is a separate work. Leeds has its own Hyde Park district, where Woodhouse Moor is located.