South Bank Lion

The South Bank Lion is a cast of a male lion statue that resides on the north side of the Westminster Bridge. It has a history of moves from different spots near to the banks of the Thames. 

The statue stands at 12 feet high, 13 feet long and weighing in at 13 tonnes. It is made with Coade stone, providing resistant to all forms of atmospheric changes including pollution, which gives it a pristine condition despite being over 150 years old. It was put together from separate parts which were brought together in an iron frame.

It was initially placed on top of the James Goding’s Lion Brewery in 1845. Following the demolishment of the site to make way for the Royal Festival Hall as part of the Festival of Britain. It is said that King George VI saved the statue from demolishment. It was moved and mounted on a plinth outside Waterloo Station. 

Following another run of the mill, Waterloo Station was to be extended, providing a move for the South Bank Lion to his new home. The lion was removed and it was found on the foot of the lion that the sculptor was William Frederick Woodington on 24 May 1837. It was painted red as a symbol of the British Rail. By the power of the English Heritage, the statue was granted a Grade II listing.

Its counterpart is at the Twickenham Stadium’s Rowland Hill Gate, which has a gold leaf coating.

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