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. Another great post at A London Inheritance.

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

St Dunstans gates - 1844

St Dunstans gates - 1844

E1, Stepney High Street

This small plaque is on the inner gate pier to the left of our photo. From London Gardens Online: "The old parsonage was demolished in 17...

1 subject commemorated, 5 creators
George Inn - gate

George Inn - gate

SE1, Borough High Street, 77, George Inn Yard

Records of this coaching inn date back to 1542 although the current building dates back to 1676 when it was rebuilt following a devastati...

3 subjects commemorated
Queen Elizabeth Gate

Queen Elizabeth Gate

W1, South Carriage Drive

Wynne was the artist for the central, cartoony, lion and unicorn screen. Lund was the designer of the rather lovely forged stainless ste...

1 subject commemorated, 3 creators
St Dunstans gates - 1999

St Dunstans gates - 1999

E1, Stepney High Street

This small plaque is on the inner gate pier to the right of our photo. We like the way they have copied the idea and the style of the 18...

1 subject commemorated, 6 creators
WW1 gates at BMA

WW1 gates at BMA

WC1, Tavistock Square

2019: We are grateful to Justin Barkham who pointed out that we had incorrectly transcribed the text on the shield as 'Memory and peace' ...

2 subjects commemorated, 2 creators

Previously viewed

Francis Blakey

Francis Blakey

SE1, Tooley Street, London Bridge underground station

Erected before February 2012.

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Tony Ray-Jones

Tony Ray-Jones

W1, Gloucester Place, 102

Westminster City Council Tony Ray-Jones, photographer, 1941 - 1972, lived and worked here. Royal Photographic Society

1 subject commemorated, 2 creators
Charles Shannon

Charles Shannon

Charles Haslewood Shannon. Lithographer and painter. Born Lincolnshire. Met his life partner, Charles Ricketts, in 1882. See there for more about their life and work together. 1929 Shannon suffere...

Person, Art

1 memorial
Matthew Arnold

Matthew Arnold

SW1, Chester Square, 2

London County Council Matthew Arnold, 1822 - 1888, poet and critic, lived here.

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Garden of rest

Garden of rest

TW1, Holly Road

Holly Road Garden of rest This garden was first laid out for public use in 1953. From 1782 it had served as a burial ground for the Pari...

8 subjects commemorated