Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Puglia Italy - Matera
Italy • 8 days, 7 nights
Southern Italy: Castles, Caves & Coastal Treasures in Puglia
from
Turkmenistan Gates of Hell Darvaza crater
Turkmenistan • 10 days, 9 nights
Turkmenistan & the Gates of Hell
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Pinal Airpark
Note the chrysanthemum crests.
Hachiman Bridge
Clarendon War Memorial.
Clarendon War Memorial
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Chefs Aruss Lerlerstkull and Atcharaporn Kiatthanawat lean into regional traditions.
Charmgang
The khao soi at Gedhawa comes with a rich, coconutty broth.
Gedhawa
At Nai Mong Hoi Thod, the oyster omelet is worth waiting for.
Nai Mong Hoi Thod
In this deceptively simple dish, top-quality ingredients are paramount.
Kor Panich
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Haleakalā National Park’s summit region, shrouded in the pre-dawn fog.
Beware the Legends Behind These National Park Souvenirs
3 days ago
For Aguilar-Carrasco, nature is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life.
How Can National Parks Be Made Accessible to All? AO Wants to Know.
4 days ago
Podcast: Finding ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Louisville
5 days ago
Here’s which treats you can safely lug home without risking a fine.
Dear Atlas: What International Food Can I Legally Bring Into the U.S.?
6 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom England Cheltenham Gordon Lamp

Gordon Lamp

Unwanted and reluctant ownership, Gordon Lamp glimmers faintly and serves as a relic of the bygone Victorian era.

Cheltenham, England

Added By
KanaKiseki
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Close up of the top part of the lamp, and the globes   Amy Hoang Anh Johnson
Close up of the top part of the lamp, and the globes   Amy Hoang Anh Johnson
The Gordon Lamp, in the middle of Lansdown Road   Amy Hoang Anh Johnson
The Gordon Lamp   Amy Hoang Anh Johnson
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Unwanted and reluctant ownership, Gordon Lamp glimmers faintly and serves as a relic of the bygone Victorian era. It was erected in 1887 to commemorate General Charles George Gordon and his efforts in Khartoum. The lamp stands on an island in the middle of Lansdown Road, once fueled by gas and then later electrified in 1900. Sadly, the lamp had fallen into disrepair, as the brass plaque was unreadable, had only one functioning globe and damage to the structure. To make matters worse, no one wanted to take ownership of this relic. 

In 2011, the then Mayor of Cheltenham, Councillor Anne Regan, raised concerns over the state of the lamp. Recognising their responsibility, the Gloucestershire County Council’s Lighting Authority initiated plans to restore the lamp. Such plans included new ironwork lanterns and globes that light up the Montpellier area.

However, challenges arose as there was no recognised ownership of the lamp. Eventually, Councillor Rob Garnham secured written acceptance from the County Council confirming their reluctant ownership, and the plans could go ahead. Through the collaborative efforts of the Civic Society, local government officials, and community members, the Gordon Lamp was rejuvenated and is an elegant part of the Montpellier area. 

Related Tags

Public Works Victorian Light

Know Before You Go

The lamp is in the middle of Lansdown Road, and in between a junction. Getting next to the lamp is difficult, but there are pavements on the roads to see it from a small distance.

Community Contributors

Added By

KanaKiseki

Published

March 29, 2024

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/photos/item/IOE01/03270/14
  • https://cheltcivicsoc.org/achievements/the-gordon-lamp/
  • https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5974262
Gordon Lamp
2 Lansdown Rd
Cheltenham, England, GL50 2HT
United Kingdom
51.894487, -2.08383
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Neptune Fountain

Cheltenham, England

miles away

Masonic Hall

Cheltenham, England

miles away

The Doughnut

Cheltenham, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Cheltenham

Cheltenham

England

Places 4

Nearby Places

Neptune Fountain

Cheltenham, England

miles away

Masonic Hall

Cheltenham, England

miles away

The Doughnut

Cheltenham, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Cheltenham

Cheltenham

England

Places 4

Related Places

  • The statues of the children on the lamp standard near Cadogan Pier.

    London, England

    Lamp Standards at Chelsea Embankment

    Two copies of a rejected Victorian-era lamp design still stand along the Thames River.

  • One of the gas lamps at night

    Hong Kong

    Duddell Street Lamps

    The last street gas lamps in Hong Kong.

  • Baltimore, Maryland

    First Public Gas Street Lamp in America

    One artist’s scheme to expand museum viewing hours into the evening led to the illumination of an entire city.

  • The Republican lamppost

    Madrid, Spain

    Republican Lamppost at the Royal Palace

    A small but stubborn relic of Spain’s turbulent past hides in plain sight.

  • Eskişehir, Turkey

    Uğur Mumcu Park

    This harrowing memorial remembers a murdered investigative journalist.

  • The Poetry Walk on Addison Street in Berkeley, California

    Berkeley, California

    Berkeley Poetry Walk

    A Berkeley sidewalk etched with 128 cast-iron poems.

  • Rotterdam, Netherlands

    Street Posts Museum

    An unexpected public exhibit showcases the diversity of Dutch street posts.

  • Wu Chi Kai is estimated to be one of only seven masters left in the territory still handcrafting neon signs.

    Hong Kong

    Wu Chi Kai’s Neon Light Workshop

    Only seven masters are keeping the tradition of Hong Kong's vanishing neon signs alive.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.