Bonn Square

Details

The Tirah Memorial, Oxford's first war memorial, stands prominently in Bonn Square, a paved public space in the heart of the city. This obelisk, erected in 1900, commemorates the soldiers of the Oxfordshire Light Infantry who died during the Tirah Campaign on the North-West Frontier of India in 1897-98. For over 700 years, from the 12th century until 1870, this area served as the graveyard for St Peter-le-Bailey Church. The original church itself once stood at the front of the square, overlapping what is now Queen Street, before being demolished and rebuilt further up New Inn Hall Street in 1874. The square was officially named Bonn Square in 1974, honouring Oxford's twinning with the German city of Bonn.

Today, Bonn Square offers a pedestrianised spot for rest and people-watching, conveniently located opposite the Westgate Shopping Centre and at the convergence of Queen Street and New Inn Hall Street. Its paved surface, installed during a 2008 redevelopment, occasionally hosts small to medium-sized events, benefiting from the high footfall of around 9,500 people daily. The New Road Baptist Church is also situated on the square, and a multi-part sculpture by Diana Bell was added in 2009 to celebrate sixty years of exchange between Oxford and Bonn. The historic stone walls of buildings to the north of the square add to its character, while tree planting provides some shade.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter