London is a city that teems with secret passages and extravagant entrances. Perhaps because it is inundated with these arches and gateways, one of its most overlooked barely gets a second glance from most passersby: Admiralty Arch.
It is by no means one of the oldest nor one of the most significant arches in the city, but Admiralty Arch has its own story to tell, and if you’re a fan of seafaring, swashbuckling tales, you’ll (probably) want to lend your eyes and ears to this one.
Come with us as we explore the history, hidden details and highly majestic background of Admiralty Arch, you won’t want to miss this!
The History of Admiralty Arch
London’s history stretches back over 2000 years, so to describe anything as “significant” and “20th century” in the same breath can seem a little…hyperbolic. But we’d like to prove that age is not always an indicator of interest, and to do so, we need only rewind the clock to the dawn of the 1900s.
The passing of the legendary Queen Victoria in 1901 marked a monumental shift in Britain and, in fact, all over the world. While change was certainly afoot, the Queen’s shadow cast a dark haze over the City of London and nobody was about to forget about her in a hurry. Least of all, perhaps, her son, King Edward VII.
King Edward had spent 60 years as heir apparent (which is an official way of saying “waiting for his mother to vacate the throne”), and in many ways, he personified a new era. Unlike his mother, he travelled widely (both to North America and India), never had a reputation of being “prim” (much to his mother’s chagrin) and showed a keen interest in diplomacy and foreign affairs.
The King commissioned Admiralty Arch to honour his late mother in 1902, shortly after he’d been involved in modernising the British Home Fleet and reorganising the British Army after the Second Boer War (1899-1902).
Unfortunately, the King didn’t live long enough to see Admiralty Arch completed in all its glory, since it was completed in 1912. However, the legacy of the King, his mother, Queen Victoria, and Admiralty Arch are forever linked.
Designing Admiralty Arch: Sir Aston Webb and Thomas Brock
Admiralty Arch was intended to become one of London’s great ceremonial getaways, and as such, it wasn’t about to be designed by just anybody.
The job was given to one of the most celebrated architects of his age, Aston Webb. Born in 1849, Webb was also responsible for the façade of Buckingham Palace (hence why it might look a little bit familiar to you) and the Victoria and Albert Museum, another iconic London landmark.
The genius of Admiralty Arch is that its usefulness is disguised by its beauty. It serves both as a triumphal passageway and a government office block. Its concave façade masks the bend in the road, while three grand central arches (flanked by two pedestrian arches) form the ceremonial route towards Buckingham Palace.
There’s also a Latin inscription across the top, dedicating the monument to Queen Victoria, while sculptor Thomas Brock’s figures of Navigation and Gunnery crown the design. If you’ve heard the name Brock before, it’s probably because he designed the Victoria Memorial outside of Buckingham Palace. Again, this project wasn’t given over to up and coming artists!
Admiralty Arch: Opinions Divided
Admiralty Arch opened with traditional fanfare, but not everyone was impressed.
An anonymous reader of the Pall Mall Gazette expressed his opinion in true, Edwardian style by complaining to the editor:
“Sir–How about the Admiralty Arch? Is there any other country in Europe that would allow a ridiculous eyesore like that to stare the whole world in the face, month after month and year after year?” — Pall Mall Gazette - Tuesday 07 October 1913
And that, believe it or not, is one of the tamer contemporary opinions. The North Down Herald and County Down Independent recorded another reader’s opinion in conjunction with the then-growing Suffragette movement:
“Most persons with artistic tastes think very little of those glorified rat-holes known as the Admiralty Arch. But such is, presumably, not the view of the authorities…Should not the Suffragettes combine business with popularity for once and devote their attention and their [weapons ] to the offending buildings?” —North Down Herald and County Down Independent - Friday 14 March 1913
Thankfully, that view seems to have changed in the century that has passed since its erection.
Visiting Admiralty Arch Today
Despite initial reluctance to accept Admiralty Arch as one of London’s iconic landmarks, nobody can deny its role in modern history. In fact, it arguably has the best seat in the house.
Admiralty Arch housed government offices and even the residence of the First Sea Lord (yes, it’s a real thing!). It’s also witnessed everything from royal weddings to Olympic parades, as well as countless national celebrations as the gateway between Trafalgar Square and the heart of monarchy.
Today, after its sale in 2012, it is being transformed into a luxury Waldorf Astoria hotel, ensuring its future as both a historic and living icon.
And if you look closely during your next stroll beneath its arches, you might just spot one of London’s quirkiest secrets: a mysterious stone nose, tucked into the northern archway.
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