Sphinx and Pedestal on North Side of Waterfall at the Lake is a Grade II listed building in the North Yorkshire local planning authority area, England. First listed on 6 March 1967. Sculptural feature.

Sphinx and Pedestal on North Side of Waterfall at the Lake

WRENN ID
lapsed-trefoil-winter
Grade
II
Local Planning Authority
North Yorkshire
Constituency
Skipton and Ripon MP: Sir Julian Smith (Con)
Country
England
Date first listed
6 March 1967
Type
Sculptural feature
Address
Sphinx and Pedestal on North Side of Waterfall at the Lake, Sphinx and Pedestal on North Side of Waterfall at East End of the Lake, Lindrick with Studley Royal and Fountains
OS grid reference
SE 281 692
Coordinates
54.11866, -1.57063
Source
Historic England listing

Also on this page: flood risk · radon risk · weather exposure · detailed attributes ↓

Description

The Sphinx and pedestal, located on the north side of the waterfall at the east end of The Lake in Studley Park, date to around 1727. They were likely created by John Simpson for John Aislabie. The pedestal is made of ashlar and supports a limestone figure, with an overall height of approximately 1.5 metres. The pedestal features a moulded profile, while the figure is robustly proportioned, with a weathered head adorned with a light head-dress. Historical records from the Studley Estate indicate that John Simpson was working on pillars for sphinxes in 1727, although he may not have been responsible for the statues themselves. Sphinxes were also placed on the Cascade at the entrance to the Lake and flanked the Drum Falls on the Canal; the latter sphinxes were likely removed from the top of Mackershaw Gate in 1970 and are currently in storage.

Local climate

Sphinx and Pedestal on North Side of Waterfall at the Lake receives an average of 860 mm of rain a year. This makes it wetter than 62% of listed buildings in the UK. Its exposure to wind-driven rain is lower than that of 59% of listed buildings.

It experiences an average of 46 freeze-thaw cycles a year, more than 87% of listed buildings. Of these, 25 follow at least 1 mm of rain in the preceding 48 hours. Average temperatures at this location have risen by 0.3°C per decade since 1991.

Averages for 1991–2020; temperature trend 1991–2025. Figures describe the wider area (a grid cell of roughly 10 km), not the individual site. Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information 2026.

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Nearby listed buildings

  1. Weir and Cascade at Outlet from the Lake with Flanking Wall and Ford Grade II 19 m
  2. Sphinx and Pedestal on South Side of Waterfall at East End of Lake Grade II 28 m
  3. Weir at North End of the Canal, with Piers, Fishing Pavilions and Balustrade Grade II* 259 m
  4. The Canal Gates and Flanking Walls on West Side of the Lake Grade II 319 m
  5. The Octagon Tower Grade II* 321 m
  6. Stewards House, Now National Trust Restaurant and Shop Grade II 322 m
  7. The Devils Chimney on North Cliff-Top Overlooking Seven Bridges Walk Grade II 351 m
  8. Statue and Pedestal on West Side of the Canal, North End (The Wrestlers on West Side of Canal) Grade II 392 m
  9. Half Moon Pond Grade II* 398 m
  10. Moon and Crescent Ponds Grade II* 430 m