Send flowers to Marble Arch, Greater London

Flower Delivery to Marble Arch with Clare Florist

Marble Arch is one of the most famous historic areas of London, situated as it is on the northeast corner of Hyde Park only minutes from the financial district. The neighbourhood is home to some of the world’s richest and most famous people and is the centre of growth and investment along the west side of Oxford Street.

Popular London attractions are mere minutes away by train, taxi or car. Historically, only members of the Royal Family and the King’s Troop –Royal Horse Artillery may pass through the Marble Arch. Today this occurs only during Royal ceremonial processions. The Arch itself is designed after the Arch of Constantine in Rome and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. It was built in the 19th century of white Carrara marble designed by John Nash. Some embellishments of the marble were extracted from the Earth near Seravezza.

Originally designed to be the state entrance to Buckingham Palace, it originally stood near today’s three-bayed central projection of the palace that contains the well-known balcony. It was relocated in 1851, and again when Park Lane was widened in the 1960s. Today Marble Arch sits isolated on a traffic island where Edgware Road, Park Lane and Oxford Street meet.

The commemorative sculpture on site was originally commissioned to John Flaxman. He died in 1826, so the artwork was divided among three other artists. The intention was to place a bronze equestrian statue of George IV atop the Marble Arch in 1829, however the King’s death in 1830 stopped the construction. The new King, William IV, attempted to unload the costs of the entire palace construction top Parliament to substitute for the recently destroyed Westminster Palace. 

Work restarted in 1832 under new supervision, with greatly reduced plans including omission of the sculpture. The Marble Arch reached completion in 1833. The pollution in London’s atmosphere soon discoloured the white marble. In 1847, Sharpe’s London Magazine described the appearance as “resembling a huge sugar erection in a confectioner’s shop window.” 

Meanwhile, Buckingham Palace remained unoccupied and mostly unfinished until it was finished in a rush upon the coronation of Queen Victoria in 1837. Her large court and expanding family required an expansion of the palace, including enclosing the cour d’honneur and relocating the Marble Arch. The new palace east range is today’s principal palace front and the public face of the palace.

The Arch was dismantled in 1847 and rebuilt as a ceremonial entrance to the northeast corner of Hyde Park at the Cumberland Gate. There are three small rooms inside the Marble Arch, and these were used as a police station from 1851 until 1968. First the Royal Constables of the Park operated from the station, and later the Metropolitan Police used the facility.

Contact Clare Florist for flower delivery in the Marble Arch neighbourhoods of London. We have the finest flower arrangements perfect for birthdays, anniversaries and every holiday. Send flowers to Marble Arch instantly with the click of a mouse or tap of a screen for next day delivery of the perfect flowers for any occasion near Marble Arch.