Philae obelisk

#319 among destinations in the United Kingdom

Memorial, Top attraction

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Facts and practical information

The Philae obelisk, while perhaps not as globally renowned as its Egyptian counterparts, is a significant historical artifact residing in the United Kingdom. This ancient Egyptian obelisk, currently situated at Kingston Lacy in Dorset, serves as a memorial to the rich history of Egyptology and the study of hieroglyphs.

Originally erected in the temple complex of Philae in Egypt, the obelisk dates back to approximately 150 BC. It was transported to England in the early 19th century by the explorer William John Bankes, an act that reflects the era's fascination with Egyptian antiquities. Standing at a modest height compared to some of its more famous relatives, the Philae obelisk is inscribed with hieroglyphs that were pivotal in aiding scholars to decipher the ancient Egyptian language.

Although it is not a towering monument, the obelisk is a significant memorial to the advancement of knowledge and the cross-cultural connections between the United Kingdom and Egypt. It remains a point of interest for historians, archaeologists, and visitors intrigued by Egypt's mysterious past and its influence on the Western world. The Philae obelisk is a testament to the timeless allure of ancient civilizations and the enduring legacy of their monumental achievements.

Alternative names: Coordinates: 50°48'35"N, 2°1'58"W

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EnglandUnited Kingdom

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Day trips

Philae obelisk – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Kingston Lacy, Wimborne Minster, Badbury Rings, Wimborne Model Town.

~500 ftNE
Country mansion with Japanese gardens
Kingston Lacy, Wimborne Minster
3 min walk • Kingston Lacy is a country house and estate near Wimborne Minster, Dorset, England. It was for many years the family seat of the Bankes family who lived nearby at Corfe Castle until its destruction in the English Civil War after its incumbent owners, Sir John Bankes and Dame Mary, had remained loyal to Charles I.
2.1 miE
Sacred and religious sites, Library, Church
Wimborne Minster, Wimborne Minster
54 min walk • Wimborne Minster is the parish church of Wimborne, Dorset, England. The minster has existed for over 1300 years and is recognised for its unusual chained library.
1.4 miNW
Nature and wildlife, Scenic walking areas, Park
Badbury Rings, Wimborne Minster
37 min walk • Badbury Rings is an Iron Age hill fort and Scheduled Monument in east Dorset, England. It was in the territory of the Durotriges.
2 miE
Entertainment, Park
Wimborne Model Town, Wimborne Minster
51 min walk • Wimborne Model Town, situated on the edge of the town of Wimborne Minster, Dorset, England, is one of the largest and most established model towns in England.
1.7 miS
Church
St. Hubert's Church, Poole
45 min walk • St Hubert's Church is a 13th-century Church of England parish church in Corfe Mullen, a district of Wimborne, in the ceremonial county of Dorset, on the south coast of England.
2.1 miE
Specialty museum, Museum, History museum
Priest's House Museum, Wimborne Minster
54 min walk • The Priest's House Museum is a local museum in the town of Wimborne Minster in Dorset, England. It is located on the high street, opposite the Church of Wimborne Minster. The museum occupies a historic Grade II* listed building, a hall house dating from the late 16th or early 17th century.
2 miE
Architecture, Historical place, Concerts and shows
Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne Minster
51 min walk • The Tivoli Theatre in Wimborne Minster, Dorset, England, was built in 1936 as a theatre and cinema. It has a variety of Art Deco features, including original chrome and Bakelite door handles.
4 miSW
Church
St. Mary the Virgin Church
103 min walk • St Mary the Virgin is the Church of England parish church of Lytchett Matravers in Dorset. Its parish is part of the Diocese of Salisbury. The building is Grade I listed.
2.9 miSE
Bridge
Lady Wimborne Bridge
74 min walk • The Lady Wimborne Bridge is a former railway bridge built in 1853, and now a listed building. Its highly ornate design reflects the power of landowners over British railway companies in the mid-nineteenth century.
4.2 miW
Church
St Mary
108 min walk • Church of Mary is a Grade I listed church in Almer, Dorset, England. It became a listed building on 18 March 1955. According to Arthur Mee's The King's England: Dorset, "the embattled tower is 15th Century, and has a fine arch.
5.1 miS
Park
Holes Bay Nature Park, Poole
131 min walk • Holes Bay Nature Park is a protected area, 286 hectares in size, on and around Holes Bay, an embayment of Poole Harbour within the Borough of Poole that is important for wildlife, especially wetland birds. It was designated a nature park in March 2015.