Wetherby War Memorial

Wetherby War Memorial honours the town's dead of the First World War and stands beside the River Wharfe in Wetherby, West Yorkshire, within the City of Leeds district. It sits at the north end of the old stone bridge and is one of the most recognisable landmarks in the town centre.

What will you see at the memorial?

A bronze figure of Victory rises from a Portland stone plinth, with two seated bronze lions at its base. Plaques on the plinth carry the names of local people killed between 1914 and 1918. Further plaques were added on either side after the Second World War, so the monument now commemorates both conflicts.

The sculptor was Louis Frederick Roslyn, and heritage records date the work to around 1920. It was unveiled in April 1922. The cost was met by public subscription, a drive that a committee set up by the parish council had already started in 1917.

Is it a listed monument?

Yes. The memorial forms part of a Grade II entry from Historic England that covers Wetherby Bridge together with the attached war memorial. The bridge itself is also a scheduled monument, so one short stop gives you two protected structures.

How do you get there?

The memorial is right in the centre of Wetherby, by the bridge over the Wharfe and a few minutes' walk from Market Place. The town lies on the former Great North Road, roughly 12 miles north-east of Leeds city centre, and east of Harrogate. Buses run to Wetherby from both, and there are car parks near the market square and the river. The walk from the stops is short and flat.

When is the best time to visit?

The monument stands in the open, so you can see it at any hour, free of charge. Mornings on a clear day give the best light for photographing the bronze. The atmosphere is strongest around Remembrance Sunday in November, when ceremonies take place here and poppy wreaths are laid.

What else is nearby?

Once you have seen the memorial, follow the riverside path along the Wharfe, then head into Market Place for the market and cafes. Wetherby grew as a coaching stop on the road between London and Edinburgh, and the riverside weir is a pleasant place to sit and watch the water.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? No. The memorial is in a public space and open around the clock.

Who designed it? Louis Frederick Roslyn, a British sculptor responsible for many war memorials.

Does it commemorate only the First World War? It was built for those who died in 1914-1918, but added plaques also name casualties of the Second World War.

How long should I plan for? Ten to fifteen minutes at the memorial itself, or about half an hour with a stroll across the bridge and along the river.