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Top 10 Unbelievable Facts about Marble Arch in London

In the 1820s, an idea for a triumphal arch for London was brought up. John Nash, one of the well-known architects created the design but it was never realized. The arch was never built as it was initially conceptualized. Nash wanted to create a design similar to the arches in Paris and Rome.

It was envisioned that a city with the status of London needed a striking statement piece. Work began on the arch in 1827 but in 1830, at the death of King George IV, the work stopped. When King William IV, took over the reign, he was appalled at the amount of money being spent on the construction of the arch and put a stop to the work. The arch had to be stripped of its elaborate design.

The work resumed after the design was downgraded in 1832. In 1833, the work on the arch was completed. The Marble arch became the entrance to Buckingham Palace when it was refurbished. It was only to be used by the royal family and their entourage. The arch was however moved to its current location next to Hyde Park. This move allowed for the expansion of Buckingham Palace and for the creation of what is generally seen today on the palace grounds.

Below are ten fantastic facts about the Marble Arch in London.

1. Marble Arch was designed by a well-known British architect

Architectural model of the Marble Arch. It is uncertain who made the model, although it is to the design of the architect John Nash (1752-1835). Photo by VAwebteam/

During the 1820s, the Marble Arch was commissioned by King George IV. The work was to be carried out by John Nash (1752-1835), one of Britain’s well-known architects.

Some of Nash’s well-known works include Buckingham Palace and Royal Pavilion in Brighton. Nash’s work helped create the picturesque and neoclassical styles in London.

2. Marble Arch was based on what may have been the most legendary arch globally

Picture of Marble Arch Gate. Photo by Panyd/

Marble Arch’s design was based on work that had been carried out in Rome and Paris over the centuries. It was based on what may have been one of the world’s best arch the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

The Arc de Triomphe on the other hand was inspired by Rome’s Arch of Constantine.

3. Marble Arch was initially commissioned to serve as an entrance to a courtyard

An engraving of Buckingham Palace by J Woods after a picture by Hablot Browne and R Garland, published in 1837. This shows the palace as built for George IV with Marble Arch as the front gate. Photo by Merchbow/

Marble Arch was commissioned to serve as the entrance of a famous courtyard. It was to serve as the entrance to Buckingham Palace’s ‘cour d’honneur’. Since 1837, Buckingham Palace has served as the residence for the royal family.

Just like the Romans, only members of the royal family and their entourage were allowed to use the arch. The arch was used during ceremonial processions.

4. Construction of the Marble Arch took about six years

The Marble arch began being built-in 1827. The work however stopped when King George IV in 1830. King William IV was not happy with the amount of money being spent on the construction of the Marble Arch and halted the process.

Construction of the arch resumed in 1832 after the designs had been downgraded. Built using Carrara marble from Tuscany in Italy, the arch derived its name from the type of material used. The arch was completed in 1833.

5. The initial arch design was more impressive than the final outcome

Marble Arch View from the Cumberland hotel of Marble Arch and Hyde Park beyond. Photo by Brian Balfe/

King George IV was not very concerned about the amount of money it was going to cost to build the arch. He wanted the prestige that came with the grandiose structure. In addition to other decorations, the initial design included a statue of the king that was to be placed on top of the arch.

When William IV became King, he reduced the amount of money to be spent on the arch. Edward Blore, who replaced Nash as an architect, reduced the design and stripped the arch of the decorations and the entire attic. When the construction cost had been significantly reduced, King William allowed construction to proceed.

The arch measures 60 by 30 feet about 18.3 by 9.1 meters east-west by north-south. It is also 45 feet tall, about 14 meters in height.

6. All the commissioned items could not be used for the construction of the statue

Statue of King George IV in Trafalgar Square, London. Photo by Elliott Brown on Flickr/

By the time King William IV was cutting costs, some of the items had already been commissioned but could not be used on the arch. Buckingham Palace used the Nelson panels and Westmacott’s frieze of Waterloo.

In 1828, Sir Francis Chantrey created a statue that was unveiled in 1843 at Trafalgar Square. The statue still stands in its original location.

7. The Marble Arch was relocated from its original location less than two decades after completion

A carving in Marble Arch. Photo by Panyd/

About a decade after Queen Victoria moved into Buckingham Palace, the palace needed to be expanded. It was considered too small for the occupants and the east wing was constructed to include the main courtyard.

The Marble Arch was originally located just outside the palace where the palace balcony now stands. In 1847 when construction of the palace began, the arch was moved.

It was placed at Cumberland Gate, on the northeast corner of Hyde Park. The arch’s move was completed in March 1851.

8. After the move, the arch served as a police station for almost a century

After the arch was moved from Buckingham Palace in 1851, it served as a police station. Between 1851 to about 1967, three rooms in the arch served as a police station.

9. In 2011, a horse’s head sculpture was constructed near the arch

Still Water (2010) by Nic Fiddian-Green: Marble Arch in the background. Photo by GrindtXX/

A bronze sculpture known as ‘Still Water’ was created in 2011 and placed near the arch. Standing at approximately33 feet or 10 meters tall, the horse’s head sculpture was created by a British sculptor known as Nic Fiddian-Green.

10. The Marble Arch’s current location is shrouded in a dark history

Marble Arch is located in an area known as Tyburn. Although the place looks pleasant today, it was previously a place of horrifying events.

Between 1196 and 1753, several executions took place at Tyburn. Convicted criminals were executed and over the centuries, Tyburn was synonymous with capital punishment.