Gates

York Watergate

Inscription

This gateway marks the position of the north bank of the River Thames before the construction of the Victoria Embankment in 1862. It was built in 1626 by Nicholas Stone, master mason, for George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, to serve as the watergate to York House which the Duke had acquired from the Archbishop of York in 1624. The arms on the river front and the motto "Fidei cotucula crux" (the cross is the touchstone of faith) on the land side, are those of the Villiers family. York House was demolished in 1675 and streets were laid out on the site. In 1893 the gate having fallen into decay, the London County Council obtained parliamentary powers to acquire and preserve it as an object of public interest.

The streets laid out on the site of York House were named: Villiers Street, Duke Street, Buckingham Street, George Court and Of Alley (now York Place). That's known as making use of everything.

Site: York Watergate (2 memorials)

WC2, Victoria Embankment Gardens

Now 100 metres away from the Thames, this used to be where boats would pull in to allow passengers to disembark for York House.

The large grey plaque can be seen towards the left of our photo. The plaque about the repairs is laid into the floor under the arch.

Londonist's post includes a wonderful 3D model which allows one to see the waiting-rooms inside. Baldwin Hamey has a good post on this gateway and the local area. Adventures in Architecture has a terrific post about this structure.

Credit for this entry to: Bob Baker

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
York Watergate

Subjects commemorated i

York Watergate

See Norwich Place/York House for more about the history of this site.  In 18...

Read More

London County Council

Prior to the LCC London matters were run by church parishes. The LCC was the ...

Read More

Nicholas Stone

Master mason, for George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham. Other works in Lon...

Read More

George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham

English statesman. Appointed Lord High Admiral in 1619. Favourite of King Jam...

Read More

This section lists the subjects who helped to create/erect the memorial on this page:
York Watergate

Created by i

London County Council

Prior to the LCC London matters were run by church parishes. The LCC was the ...

Read More

This section lists the other memorials at the same location as the memorial on this page:
York Watergate

Also at this site i

York Watergate - repairs

York Watergate - repairs

The plaque has left room for one more re-roofing, due, on this 64 year mainte...

Read More

Nearby Memorials

Borough of Holborn

Borough of Holborn

WC2, St Giles High Street, St Giles Church

St Giles-in-the-Fields was founded as a leper hospital by Matilda, Queen of Henry I in 1101; it was dissolved in 1539 and its former chap...

1 subject commemorated
Holly Village

Holly Village

N6, Swains Lane

This charming Victorian gothic development of 12 Grade 2 listed homes, completed in 1865 was at the southern extremity of the Holly Lodge...

1 subject commemorated
Leverton arch

Leverton arch

WC2, Flitcroft Street, St Giles Church

This 1800 arch was designed by one of the churchwardens at the time, Leverton, and was originally at the northern entrance on St Giles Hi...

1 subject commemorated, 7 creators
Highgate School Gates

Highgate School Gates

N6, North Road, Highgate School

See Highgate School - Cholmeley House for information about the School.

2 subjects commemorated
Altab Ali arch

Altab Ali arch

E1, Whitechapel Road, Altab Ali Park

Wrought-iron arch created as a memorial to Altab Ali and other victims of racist attacks. Symbolically combines elements of Bangladeshi a...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator