Queen Victoria Memorial

The Queen Victoria Memorial is a monument located in Dalton Square, Lancaster, and was completed in 1906. It was designed by Herbert Hampton and presented by Lord Ashton. The memorial is made of Portland stone ashlar and features bronze reliefs and statuary.

The main structure consists of a large square plinth, approximately 7 meters on each side, which is mounted on two steps. The plinth has hollow sides and rounded corners, with its base shaped like a seat that has a hollowed back-rest. Above a prominent cornice, the sides of the plinth are adorned with large bas-relief panels depicting groups of notable Victorians, framed by bronze pilasters. The corners of the plinth feature high-relief representations of Wisdom, Truth, Liberty, and Justice, each depicted as a seated woman surrounded by angels and putti.

Atop the plinth, seated lions guard a tall tapered pedestal, which supports a statue of Queen Victoria. The statue portrays her as elderly yet sternly regal, holding a mace and facing the Town Hall to the south. The south side of the pedestal includes an inscription in bronze lettering that reads 'VICTORIA 1837-1901', beneath a roundel carved with the Royal Arms. The north side features another inscription in similar lettering: 'GIVEN TO HIS NATIVE TOWN BY LORD ASHTON A.D. 1906'.