Statue of Winston Churchill

The Statue of Winston Churchill stands in Parliament Square in London, a bronze figure of the wartime prime minister placed directly opposite the Houses of Parliament where he spent much of his political life.

What is the statue of Winston Churchill?

It is a large bronze portrait of Sir Winston Churchill by the sculptor Ivor Roberts-Jones. The figure stands roughly 12 feet (about 3.7 metres) tall and is set on a plinth of around 8 feet, so it rises well above the pedestrians crossing the square. Churchill is shown in a heavy military-style greatcoat, leaning forward slightly with a walking stick, in a pose that reads as both weary and defiant. The statue is Grade II listed on the National Heritage List for England, which recognises its architectural and historic value.

Where is it and how do you find it?

The monument occupies the north-east corner of Parliament Square in Westminster, at coordinates 51.5009, -0.12646. It is one of the first things you see when you walk out of Westminster Underground station. Behind it rise the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben, which makes it a favourite spot for photographs: Churchill in the foreground, the clock tower looming over his shoulder. Westminster Abbey and the Supreme Court are also within a short walk, so it fits naturally into a sightseeing route through the heart of London.

How did the statue come about?

The memorial was commissioned in 1971 and installed in 1973. A competition among sculptors had been held earlier, and the process was reopened after Lady Churchill expressed a preference for the sculptor Oscar Nemon. The commissioners eventually looked at larger maquettes by both artists before the work went to Roberts-Jones. Clementine Churchill unveiled the finished statue; accounts say the Queen felt the honour belonged to her and still gave a speech at the ceremony. The unveiling was attended by the serving prime minister and four former prime ministers, a sign of how much weight the occasion carried.

Was there any controversy?

Yes, a small one during design. Members of the Churchill Statue Committee worried that the head looked a little too much like the Italian Fascist leader Benito Mussolini. Roberts-Jones agreed to modify the sculpture, reducing the dome of the head so that the forehead sat lower. The final portrait is therefore the result of a deliberate correction made before the statue was cast in its present form.

Practical tips for visitors

• Entry is free: the statue stands in a public square and can be viewed at any time.
• Morning light is usually kind to photographs, and early hours are the quietest.
• The square is surrounded by busy roads, so use the pedestrian crossings and allow time to circle the monument and see it from several angles.
• Combine the visit with the nearby Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and a walk along the Thames.

Frequently asked questions

Who made the Churchill statue in Parliament Square? The sculptor was Ivor Roberts-Jones.

When was it installed? It was commissioned in 1971 and installed in 1973.

How tall is it? About 12 feet, standing on a plinth of roughly 8 feet.

Is it a protected monument? Yes, it is Grade II listed.

Who unveiled it? Clementine Churchill, the widow of Sir Winston.