Blake Statue
The Blake Statue in Bridgwater, Somerset, is a public monument commemorating Robert Blake, one of England's most celebrated naval commanders and one of the town's most famous sons. Born in Bridgwater in 1598, Blake rose to prominence during the English Civil War and the Interregnum period, serving as a General-at-Sea under Oliver Cromwell and achieving remarkable victories against the Dutch, Spanish, and Barbary pirates. The statue stands in the heart of Bridgwater town centre on Cornhill, serving as both a civic landmark and a tribute to a figure who helped shape the course of English naval history. It is an impressive and dignified piece of public sculpture that anchors the historic market area of the town.
The statue was erected in 1900, funded through public subscription and civic pride, and was unveiled with considerable local ceremony. It stands as a lasting testament to Bridgwater's admiration for Blake, whose career was extraordinary even by the standards of a turbulent age. Blake commanded fleets with distinction, defeating the Dutch Admiral Tromp in a series of engagements and later destroying a Spanish treasure fleet at the Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 1657 — one of the most daring naval victories of the seventeenth century. He died at sea returning to England that same year and never lived to see the acclaim his victories would earn him. His legacy endured, and the statue represents the Victorian impulse to celebrate local heroes in bronze and stone for future generations.
Physically, the statue depicts Blake in period dress, rendered in bronze atop a stone plinth, giving him a commanding and authoritative presence above the busy market square. He is shown in a pose befitting a military leader of his era, and the craftsmanship reflects the solid civic confidence of late Victorian memorial sculpture. The plinth bears inscriptions identifying Blake and noting his significance. Up close, the patinated bronze has the greenish weathered quality typical of outdoor sculpture, and the stonework of the base shows the gentle wear of over a century of exposure to Somerset weather. The surrounding Cornhill area is a pedestrianised space, which means visitors can comfortably walk around the statue and view it from all angles without the intrusion of traffic.
The surroundings of Cornhill in Bridgwater provide an atmospheric context for the statue. The town centre retains some handsome Georgian and Victorian commercial architecture, and the general layout of the square reflects the historic market town character of Bridgwater. The River Parrett runs nearby, which lends a certain appropriateness to the location — Bridgwater was historically a port town, and its maritime connections made it a fitting birthplace for a great naval commander. The Blake Museum, housed not far away in the former home associated with Blake's family on Blake Street, complements a visit to the statue and provides extensive historical context about his life, career, and the wider history of the town during the Civil War period.
For visitors, Bridgwater town centre is easily accessible by road and by rail, with Bridgwater railway station served by regular trains from Bristol and Taunton. The Cornhill area is at the heart of the pedestrianised shopping zone, making it simple to find on foot from the station within a pleasant ten to fifteen minute walk. There is no admission charge to view the statue, as it stands in open public space. The area around it can be lively with market activity and general town centre foot traffic, which gives it a pleasantly lived-in atmosphere rather than the hushed reverence of a dedicated heritage site. The best time to visit is during daylight hours, and combining the statue with a visit to the Blake Museum and a walk along the riverfront makes for a satisfying half-day excursion with genuine historical depth.
One of the more compelling hidden stories behind Blake is that he represents a relatively rare case in English history of a figure who achieved supreme military distinction without ever having significant naval experience before his forties. He had been a merchant and a soldier before Cromwell appointed him to command fleets, and yet he became arguably the greatest English naval commander before Nelson. His portrait hangs in the National Portrait Gallery, and his memory is honoured in naval tradition to this day, yet he remains far less widely known to the general public than his achievements warrant. The Bridgwater statue is in many ways an act of local defiance against that national neglect, insisting in permanent bronze that this town produced a man who changed history.