Avery Hill Park

Statues pt 2: Galatea

Galatea was a sea-nymph who was wooed by the Cyclops Polyphemus but was in love with the youth Acis. On finding them together, Polyphemus threw a rock at them, killing Acis. Galatea made him into a river bearing his name and herself returned to the sea.

The University of Greenwich Winter Garden (where Galatea lives) was part of a splendid 50 room mansion owned by the Victorian entrepreneur John Thomas North. Most of the house was destroyed during the Second World.