Lion South Bank, as it is often referred to as Londoners, is at the eastern entrance to Westminster Bridge. Usually city lions seem harsh, but it has to be extremely good-natured and cheerful face - he seems a little smile. It is made of stone, but not the usual London Portland, there is another story.

Koadsky stone - the name in England is not known to everyone. But at the time this artificial stone was very popular. Koadskim called him by the name of breeder - Eleanor Coad. Strong, smart, hardworking businesswoman Georgian era bought in 1769 a foreign business for the production of artificial stone. Attempts of this kind was in those years a lot, but only succeeded Eleanor Coad.

Koadsky stone obtained after repeated firing a mixture of clay with a few special ingredients. The color of the finished product varied from light gray to pale yellow. The mixture is easily poured into the complex shape, and that makes the stone ideal for large statues and sculptural facades. But the main feature koadskogo stone - his astonishing resistance to precipitation, which is very important for London.

From koadskogo made of stone sculptured reliefs above the entrance to the Imperial War Museum, Nelson pediment at the Naval College in Greenwich, decorations in the private rooms of Buckingham Palace, the Royal Pavilion in Brighton and a variety of facilities across England. Lion South Bank - one of the best examples of products from koadskogo stone.

Such lions created by William Frederick Vudingtonom in 1837, there were two. They were almost the last koadskogo stone sculptures by the time who has passed their position virtually to Portland. Painted red with the Lions looked overlooking the River Thames, the facade of the brewery, "Leo." However, in 1924, absorbed another brewer, and in 1931 the building was damaged by fire and stood abandoned for a long time. In 1949 it was demolished to make room for a concert hall "Royal Festival Hall".

But the Lions saved! Behind them stood by King George VI. One, with a snarling menacing face, painted with gold paint. It is now before Tvikenhemskim stadium, known to all the fans who meet "under the Golden Lion."

And second, cheerful and kind, took place on the pedestal at the Westminster Bridge. His clean off by red paint, and it was clearly visible quality of the stone - the lion is still in excellent condition. He stands at the bridge from the South Bank (South Coast). Here, in the area of ​​Lambeth, was living at its plant Eleanor Coad, there was that same brewery. Now the lion symbolizes Britain for tourists, but perhaps symbolic and what is done-it was just for a brewery.