Seen covered over in plastic sheeting and bound in gaffa tape is the statue of King George II, in Golden Square, central London.
There’s an interesting story behind this statue, as no one is absolutely certain whether it represents King George II or King Charles II.
Folklore has it that the statue was accidentally won at auction, after the unwitting bidder raised his hand to greet a friend.
The statue had gone under the hammer for so little that the accidental bidder didn’t bother contesting what had happened and decided to give the the statue as a gift to the people of Golden Square [source].
You can see what the ‘naked’ statue looks like here.
Opposite the statue can be found the rather splendid Nordic Bakery which serves cinnamon buns to die for and, until recently, the square hosted the long-serving Footes music store.
See a 360 degree panorama of Golden Square here
History of the square: Golden Square Area (from the Survey of London: volumes 31 and 32).
Related posts:
A great little Kings Cross pub – King Charles I off the Caledonian Road is fun, friendly and stuffed with good ales
A lighthouse in London
Saturday lunchtime at Golden Square, Soho, London
St George’s Day festival, Trafalgar Square, London
Cinnamon buns to die for at the Nordic Bakery, Golden Square, Soho, London W1
A walk around Regent’s Canal and the King’s Cross redevelopment, central London
London pics: Christmas lights, rain, Pixel 3 and a bloke dragging a golden cross, Dec 2018
Handmade And Bound, affordable book-art and zine fair, London 18th Nov 2012
