Sutherland Monument, Trentham Gardens

The Sutherland Monument, a Grade II* listed structure, is a memorial to the 1st Duke of Sutherland, situated in Trentham Gardens and installed in 1836. Designed by Charles Winks, the full figure statue was commissioned from the sculptor Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey and sculpted under the direction of Chantrey’s assistant, Joseph Theakston.

Constructed from limestone, the monument is prominently located at the top of Tittensor Hill, also known as Monument Hill, at the southern end of the estate. It features a three-metre tall limestone figure of the 1st Duke of Sutherland, intentionally facing north over his estate. The Duke is depicted wearing a long cloak, with his left arm resting on a stone support and his left foot positioned forward, partially over the round base of the statue. The round base bears the inscription ‘CHANTREY SC’ on its south side.

The figure stands atop a five-metre tall tapering column, which is set on a square pedestal with chamfered corners to the dado and a four-step plinth. On the north face of the dado, there is a stone plaque with the following inscribed epitaph:

IN LASTING MEMORIAL OF / GEORGE GRANVILLE / DUKE OF SUTHERLAND MARQUESS OF STAFFORD K.G. / AN UPRIGHT AND PATRIOTIC NOBLEMAN, / A JUDICIOUS, KIND AND LIBERAL LANDLORD / WHO IDENTIFIED THE IMPROVEMENT OF HIS VAST ESTATES / WITH THE PROSPERITY OF ALL WHO CULTIVATED THEM. / A PUBLIC YET UNOSTENTATIOUS BENEFACTOR / WHO WHILE HE PROVIDED USEFUL EMPLOYMENT / FOR THE ACTIVE LABOURER / OPENED WIDE HIS HAND TO THE DISTRESS / OF THE WIDOW, THE SICK AND THE TRAVELLER. / A MOURNING AND GRATEFUL TENANTRY / UNITING WITH THE INHABITANTS OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD / ERECTED THIS PILLAR / AD MDCCCXXXIV.