Statue Of Queen Anne

The Statue of Queen Anne, located in Minehead, was created in 1719 by the sculptor Francis Bird. This over-life-size statue depicts Queen Anne in full court dress, complete with regalia. The pedestal and canopy, designed by H Dare Bryan, were added in 1893 and are made of marble and freestone. The statue is set on a cuboid marble plinth featuring a moulded cornice. Behind the statue stands an ashlar wall approximately 5 meters high, adorned with a dentilled pediment and cornice, which features an inscription in Art Nouveau lettering along with the date. Above the statue is a half dome supported by four marble columns that rest on a pierced balustrade at the front. Historically, Sir Joseph Bancks, who served as the Member of Parliament for Minehead from 1698 to 1713, commissioned the statue to resemble one located in St Paul's Cathedral. Initially, it was placed in St Michael's Church on St Michael's Road but was relocated to Wellington Square in 1893.