Statue of John Batchelor, The Hayes, Cardiff
A Victorian radical immortalised in bronze, standing where Cardiff’s political battles once raged.
Standing prominently in The Hayes, Cardiff’s bustling city centre, the bronze statue of John Batchelor commemorates a 19th-century timber merchant, Liberal politician, and mayor who championed the common people. Erected in 1886, the statue bears the inscription 'The Friend of Freedom' and reflects Cardiff’s turbulent political and industrial past. It’s a quiet but powerful monument to civic courage, social reform, and the city’s transformation from a small port into a major coal-exporting hub.
A brief summary to John Batchelor Statue
- The Hayes, Cardiff, Saint Davids Centre, CF10 1GA, GB
- Duration: 0.25 to 0.5 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
Local tips
- Visit in the late afternoon when the light catches the bronze figure; it’s a great time for photos without the midday crowds.
- Read the inscription on the plinth carefully – 'The Friend of Freedom' – and consider the fierce debates it once provoked in Cardiff.
- Combine your visit with a short walk to St David’s Hall and the nearby Free Library building to appreciate the civic context Batchelor fought for.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Drinking Water
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
Getting There
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On foot from Cardiff Central Station
From Cardiff Central Station, follow the main concourse to Wood Street, then walk straight ahead into The Hayes. The statue is clearly visible in the central pedestrian area, about a 5‑minute walk from the station entrance.
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By bus to Cardiff city centre
Numerous local and regional bus services stop near St David’s Hall or the Hayes. From any of these stops, the statue is just a short walk through the pedestrianised shopping area, clearly signposted and visible from the main thoroughfares.
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From Cardiff Queen Street Station
From Cardiff Queen Street Station, exit onto Wood Street and walk west into The Hayes. The statue is located in the central part of The Hayes, roughly a 6‑minute walk from the station.
John Batchelor Statue location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Rain / Wet Weather
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Mild Temperatures
Discover more about John Batchelor Statue
A Radical Figure in Bronze
This life‑size bronze statue, set on a tall stone plinth in The Hayes, honours John Batchelor, a Victorian-era businessman and Liberal politician who became a symbol of resistance against Cardiff’s entrenched elite. Born in Newport in 1820, Batchelor moved to Cardiff in his twenties and built a timber and shipbuilding business with his brother. He later served as a town councillor, mayor in 1854, and chairman of the Cardiff School Board, using his influence to expand education and challenge the political dominance of the powerful Bute family, whose interests centred on Cardiff Castle and the docks.Champion of the People
The inscription on the plinth – 'John Batchelor, The Friend of Freedom' – captures how many ordinary Cardiff residents viewed him. Batchelor was a fierce advocate for the working class, a campaigner against slavery, and a key figure in breaking the Tory 'Castle party' grip on Cardiff politics. In 1852 he helped elect Liberal-Nonconformist Walter Coffin as MP, ending decades of Conservative control. He also promoted public education, co‑founding a British School for poorer children and later leading the city’s School Board, ensuring that education remained a priority even as industrial interests shaped the city.A Statue Born of Controversy
The statue itself, sculpted by Welsh artist James Milo Griffith, was unveiled in October 1886 before a crowd of around 5,000 people, just three years after Batchelor’s death. Its placement in The Hayes, opposite the Free Library that Batchelor had campaigned for, was a deliberate political statement. The monument quickly became a flashpoint: opponents, including Conservative councillors and local figures, petitioned for its removal and repeatedly defaced it with paint and tar, reflecting the deep divisions of the time. Despite this, the statue remained, a testament to the enduring legacy of a man who dared to challenge the status quo.Industrial Vision and Civic Legacy
Beyond politics, Batchelor was a forward‑thinking industrialist. He played a crucial role in developing Cardiff’s docks, including promoting the Penarth Dock to break the Bute family’s monopoly on coal exports. In the 1870s he proposed an ambitious plan to build an embankment across the Taff and Ely estuaries, vastly expanding Cardiff’s wharf space – a vision that would only be realised more than a century later with the Cardiff Bay Barrage. Though his business ultimately failed in the financial panic of 1866, his civic contributions, particularly in education and local governance, left a lasting mark on the city’s development.Encountering the Monument Today
Today, the statue stands in a busy pedestrian zone near St David’s Hall and the main shopping centre, where it is easily overlooked by shoppers and commuters. Yet it offers a rare, tangible link to Cardiff’s 19th‑century struggles over power, freedom, and progress. Visitors can read the plinth’s inscription, admire the Victorian craftsmanship of the bronze figure, and reflect on the complex story of a man who was both a successful entrepreneur and a polarising political reformer. It’s a modest but meaningful stop for anyone interested in Cardiff’s social history and the forces that shaped modern Wales.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Scenic
- Historic
- Unique
- Casual
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Vintage Styles
- Historic
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Landmarks
- Art & Design
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Aesthetic Corners
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Public-Transport Accessible
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Wheelchair Access
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
- Business Friendly
