War Memorials

The Arch of Remembrance

The main war memorial, the Arch of Remembrance, was designed by Edwin Lutyens and built between 1923 and 1925 to commemorate the dead of the First World War. It now has two approaches, one from Peace Walk, the other from the new Centenary Walk. The former is through a set of gates on University Road, also designed by Lutyens, and along an ornamental walkway previously known as War Memorial approach. The latter is through the main park gates on London Road and along the processional way. The main gates and lodges are also Lutyens designed and were added several years later. The lodges and gates were commissioned by Sir Jonathan North, Mayor of Leicester through the First World War, in memory of his late wife.

The Arch of remembrance is a grade one listed building, whist the gates and lodges are listed grade 2, as is Victoria Park itself. The memorial has been described as the most imposing of Lutyens English war memorials.

This early photograph with little tree cover nearby shows how the monument would have looked when first built. The railing and gates now surrounding the monument being added later.

The 82nd Airborne Division Memorial

This is the much smaller and less well known memorial on the park which is to commemorate the American 82nd Airborne Division who were stationed in Leicester prior to D-Day in World War Two. The double A signifies ‘All American’ as they had recruits from all 48 US states when first formed.

Play on the Park

The Finest Ruin, an original theatrical production about the history of the Arch of Remembrance will be performed within the Arch itself on Victoria Park on Sunday 19th November 2017 from 3pm to 4pm. Free entry, seated tickets available. For Remembrance Sunday To celebrate this year's Remembrance Sunday, come along ...
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Leicester Heritage Open Day: guided walk of Victoria Park

Discover the history of the park Victoria Park is one of Leicester’s oldest parks, and has a fascinating history, but it is very easy to walk right by it without knowing anything about what it once was. Discover more about the architecture and social history of the park, from its ...
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The Finest Ruin Returns to the Y Theatre

Returning for a second year as part of Leicester’s City Festival 2017 celebrations The Finest Ruin an original play written by Igo de Jager, is showing at The Y Theatre during the August bank holiday weekend. If you were lucky enough to see it last year, you will know that ...
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The Finest Ruin

The Finest Ruin by Igo de Jager is a play which was staged at the Y Theatre last week. It told the story of the creation of the Leicester war memorial on Victoria Park through the lives and memories of two women who met there by chance. As their friendship ...
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