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King Charles II in Soho Square

To say Soho Square was crowded on this warm March afternoon was an understatement. It was packed. The land on which Soho Square was laid out in the 1680s was known as Soho Fields. For many years the square was also called King's Square, probably in honour of Charles II whose statue originally stood in the centre of the square. It was carved in 1681 and stood on a pedestal above a fountain and basin. The pedestal was decorated with figures which issued water representing the Rivers Thames, Severn, Tyne and Humber. The water supply was driven by a windmill on the other side of Oxford Street. The fountain ceased to function in the early 19th century and the basin was filled in. In 1875 the statue was removed and given to the artist Frederick Goodall who placed it in the grounds of his country house. It was replaced by the wooden building and gardeners' shed seen beyond. The statue was later purchased by W.S Gilbert whose widow returned it to its present position in 1938. Soho Square was restored and reopened after the Second World War in 1954.