Piccadilly Circus, London W1J 9HS

Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain

Battle & memorial

Place photograph

5.8

Wildland

Under 1 hour

Time

Check

Cost

Atmospheric

Feel

Urban historicHistory loversPhotographers

Why it's Wildland

5.8

Often called Eros, the winged figure is Anteros. The fountain was created as a memorial to the philanthropic work of the seventh Earl of Shaftesbury and has itself had a turbulent public life.

This is a compact, unmistakable London landmark rather than a wild landscape: its appeal lies in the striking sculpture, its place in the life of Piccadilly Circus and the story behind the name most visitors use.

Atmospheric · Grand

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Piccadilly Circus, London W1J 9HS

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The experience

Pause at the fountain to take in Alfred Gilbert’s winged sculpture, then read it as a memorial to Lord Shaftesbury rather than simply a Piccadilly meeting point. Its compact scale makes it a brief stop, best paired with another verified London visit if you want a longer outing.

Things to do

Identify Anteros

Look at the winged figure above the fountain. The supplied historical source distinguishes Anteros from the popular but mistaken name Eros.

A few minutes

Read the memorial as a tribute to Shaftesbury

Use the fountain’s memorial purpose as the lens for the visit: it commemorates the philanthropic work of the seventh Earl of Shaftesbury.

A few minutes

Make a day of it

Quick escape · Under 1 hour

A close look at the memorial

01
Find the fountain at Piccadilly Circus.
02
Look up at the winged figure and note that the supplied historical account identifies it as Anteros, despite the familiar name Eros.
03
Consider the memorial’s connection to the philanthropic work of the seventh Earl of Shaftesbury.

Verified history

The memorial honours Antony Ashley Cooper, the seventh Earl of Shaftesbury, who died on 1 October 1885. A public meeting to consider a national memorial took place sixteen days later; on 28 October, the memorial committee resolved to commission a bronze monument for a prominent London thoroughfare. The supplied Survey of London account says the fountain has passed through sharply changing public responses, from criticism and neglect to being treated as a national talisman. The visitor listing identifies the winged figure as Anteros, although the monument is commonly called Eros.

Hidden details

The figure is Anteros, not Eros — The supplied Survey of London account describes the familiar name Eros as a popular misidentification and identifies the winged figure as Anteros.

A memorial with a contested reception — The historical account records that the fountain was initially viewed askance and later subjected to neglect and derision before becoming a celebrated landmark.

When to go

· No specific time is supported by the supplied evidence.

The supplied research provides no seasonal reason to visit.

No specific weather guidance is supported by the supplied research.

What to look for

Look up at the winged figure, identified in the supplied historical account as Anteros rather than Eros. The British History Online account also describes the memorial’s changing reception, from early criticism to later status as a national talisman.