Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Lion on E side of the N entrance to Britannia Bridge
Llanfair Pwllgwyngyll, Isle of Anglesey, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II
- Broad class
- Commemorative
- Date of designation
- 20 April 1998
- Locality
- Britannia Bridge
- Community
- Llanfair Pwllgwyngyll
- Unitary authority
- Isle of Anglesey
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 53.21791, -4.18821
- Cadw reference
- 19673
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1896 "Sheet 7. Ordnance Survey of England and Wales." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Cadw's description
Location
The lion is mounted high above the original rail approach to the bridge.
History
One of four, one pair located on the mainland and one on the Anglesey side, flanking each entrance to the bridge. Designed by the Victorian sculptor John Thomas, who designed carvings for the new Houses of Parliament (1835-52), and erected prior to the opening of the bridge in 1850. Each lion cost £1,024.
Exterior
Large sculpture of a lion couchant, 25ft 6in (7.77m)long and 12ft 8in (3.86m)high; carved in a bold Egyptian style and built from 11 pieces of Penmon limestone. Facing S, the lion surmounts an ashlar limestone plinth which in turn surmounts a plinth of rock-faced sandstone.
Reason for designation
Included as an important element in the design of the bridge, one of four, a pair with the lion on the W side of the N entrance and of group value with the bridge.
Nearby in the register
- Lion on W side of the N entrance to Britannia BridgeCommemorativeunder 1 mi
- Britannia Tubular Bridge (part in Treborth Community)Transportunder 1 mi
- Britannia Bridge Memorial, Churchyard of Church of St. Mary, LlanfairpwllCommemorativeunder 1 mi
- Coed Mor Fish WeirFish Weirunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.