Westminster

The Mall

Westminster
LONDON SW1

Left: The Mall and Buckingham Palace by SW

This long straight ceremonial road which joins Trafalgar Square to Buckingham Palace is the location for some of Britain's most spectacular monuments, Royal Palaces and majestic buildings, like Carlton House Terrace. The beautifully arranged trees that line the pavement on either side add to the stately atmosphere. The peacefulness of St. James's Park to the south side of The Mall provides a green and tranquil urban space.

The climax to the Buckingham Palace end of The Mall is the monument to Queen Victoria, set outside Buckingham Palace. It is surmounted by the large statue of Victoria herself, her resplendent cloak, hanging sleeves, and matriarchal nature being especially noticeable. There are so many sections of this monument, and the angels in all their finery are a wonderful sight to behold. The Angel of Justice, Angel of Truth, Angel of Charity, and Angel of Victory cast Victoria in an especially magisterial light. The bronze/marble surfaces that make up the monument are perhaps best viewed at night.

Left: Household Cavalry in The Mall -photo by SW

At the other end of The Mall (the Trafalgar Square end) is Admiralty Arch. Built by yet another famous British sculptor, Aston Webb, in 1811, it celebrates England's nautical prowess. Admiralty Arch uses a sextant to represent navigation and a gun to represent the gunnery, plus numerous large metal anchors..

The monuments do not end there however. Near Admiralty Arch is an understated but no less impressive statue to Britain's greatest navigator and explorer of the Pacific Ocean, Captain Cook.

A recently dedicated statue to King George VI sits above The Mall opposite Cook's statue.

The Mall looks especially magnificent when it is the venue for such ceremonies as Trooping the Colour when the Queen and all her guards on hoseback ride the length of the Mall with flags flying and music playing.

Jeannette Briggs

Nearest Tube station: Westminster, Victoria or Charing Cross

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