Neptune Statue, Durham
The Neptune Statue is a work of public art in Durham Market Place. The sculpture symbolizes the desire to improve Durham's link to the sea via the River Wear. It has since become an important cultural monument in Durham.
The statue was a gift to Durham from the politician and coal proprietor George Bowes of Gibside and Streatlam. It was crafted in 1729 by the sculptors Andrew Carpenter and John van Nost and was meant to inspire the city to seek new forms of navigation. The statue shows Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, hoisting a trident over a large fish.
The sculpture originally stood in Market Place, on top of a large stone pant, which supplied water piped from Fram Well. When the city no longer needed a public fountain, the statue was moved to Wharton Park. It was returned to Durham Market Place in 1986 following an appeal by the City of Durham Trust.
The Neptune Statue is Grade II listed on the National Heritage List for England.
The statue was a gift to Durham from the politician and coal proprietor George Bowes of Gibside and Streatlam. It was crafted in 1729 by the sculptors Andrew Carpenter and John van Nost and was meant to inspire the city to seek new forms of navigation. The statue shows Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, hoisting a trident over a large fish.
The sculpture originally stood in Market Place, on top of a large stone pant, which supplied water piped from Fram Well. When the city no longer needed a public fountain, the statue was moved to Wharton Park. It was returned to Durham Market Place in 1986 following an appeal by the City of Durham Trust.
The Neptune Statue is Grade II listed on the National Heritage List for England.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Durham. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Neptune Statue on Map
Sight Name: Neptune Statue
Sight Location: Durham, England (See walking tours in Durham)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Durham, England (See walking tours in Durham)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Walking Tours in Durham, England
Create Your Own Walk in Durham
Creating your own self-guided walk in Durham is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Durham Introduction Walking Tour
The monks from Lindisfarne were on the run in 995, the Vikings hot behind. The monks were carrying the body of Saint Cuthbert. The Saint's bier stopped. Along came a milkmaid who had lost her dun cow. The coffin moved and the monks followed the maid to a high hill by the River Wear. The bier stopped again and, despite the effort of the monks, would not move. The monks had found their place.
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles