Coronation Stone

The Coronation Stone is an ancient sarsen stone, traditionally believed to have been used for the coronations of Saxon kings in the 10th century. It stands on a two-tier plinth and is enclosed by railings and piers, dating from 1850. The stone and its enclosure have been located at their present site since 1935.

The Coronation Stone itself is a roughly one-metre-high, unhewn block of hard sandstone or sarsen stone. It sits upon a two-tier plinth constructed of mixed limestone and concrete, with a lime and cementitious mortar render on the base. The plinth’s heptagonal (seven-sided) chamfered edges bear lead inscriptions naming the seven kings traditionally associated with the stone, alongside their coronation dates in Roman numerals, using Anglo-Saxon lettering for the names. Below each name is a small, circular indentation, likely intended for coins from each monarch's reign.

The stone and plinth are surrounded by cast iron railings and rendered piers, originally constructed of Purbeck stone but now seemingly replaced or covered with concrete. This likely occurred due to damage from a motor accident in 1920 and further changes during the monument's relocation in 1935. The piers have a circular section and are set within chamfered, heptagonal bases. They are capped with unique carved capitals of Caen stone, with conical, scalloped hoods, all displaying repairs made with cement and lime mortar. These are topped with painted spearhead finials likely made of cast iron. The piers are linked by painted iron railings featuring intersecting round-headed arches, cubic capitals, and spiked circles. Some details of the railings are similar to those found on the railings of the nearby Clattern Bridge.