Last updated May 2026
Seymour Square is the central public square in Blenheim — named after Henry Seymour, who with Alfred Fell owned the land on which the original Beaver (Blenheim) settlement was built. The square is dominated by the 16.5 metre-high stone War Memorial Clock Tower, unveiled in 1928 as Marlborough’s principal monument to the 419 residents killed in the First World War. The tower is constructed from stone gathered across the province, with Tākaka marble at the cross and Australian sandstone in the dome — the Australian stone deliberately symbolising ANZAC cooperation. A separate WWII memorial fountain stands adjacent.
Practical Information
| Location | Central Blenheim — main town square |
| Named after | Henry Seymour — co-owned the land Blenheim was built on with Alfred Fell |
| Clock tower height | 16.5 metres |
| Tower unveiled | 1928 — War Memorial to the 419 Marlborough residents killed in WWI |
| Tower stone | Gathered from Pukaka Valley (Tuamarina), Waihopai Valley, Awatere River, Wharanui (Kaikōura coast) |
| Tower cross | Tākaka marble (the only stone from outside the province in the cross) |
| Tower dome + clock face outer ring | Australian sandstone — symbolises ANZAC cooperation |
| WWII fountain | Adjacent memorial fountain commemorating WWII service |
| Notable feature | Oak tree in NW corner planted in 1920 by the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII) |
| Annual significance | Centre of Marlborough ANZAC Day commemorations |
| Cost | Free — public square |
About Seymour Square
Seymour Square is a small, formal central-town square — the kind of civic public space common in early-20th-century town planning in New Zealand. It is bounded by streets on all sides, with carefully tended floral gardens, the clock tower and the adjacent memorial fountain forming the central features. The square takes its name from Henry Seymour, who co-owned the original land with Alfred Fell at the founding of Blenheim. The square’s plantings are maintained by the Marlborough District Council and rotate seasonally.
War Memorial Clock Tower
The clock tower is Marlborough’s principal WWI memorial — unveiled in 1928, eleven years after the war ended, and dedicated to the 419 Marlborough residents who died in the conflict. It rises to 16.5 metres. The stone is significant in itself: assembled from quarries and locations across the province (Pukaka Valley near Tuamarina, the Waihopai Valley, the Awatere River, Wharanui on the Kaikōura coast) so that material from across Marlborough was literally incorporated into the memorial.
The cross at the base is Tākaka marble — the one piece of stone in the cross that was sourced from outside the province. The tower dome and the outer circumference of the clock face are made of Australian sandstone — a deliberate symbolic gesture commemorating the joint Australian-New Zealand effort in the war. This use of Australian stone in an Australasian context is unusual, and is one of the distinctive features of the Blenheim memorial.
The WWII Memorial Fountain
Adjacent to the clock tower is a separate fountain commemorating those who served in the Second World War. The fountain has a multi-coloured display at night during the warmer months. ANZAC Day services for Marlborough are held at the square each year, centred on the clock tower.
The Prince of Wales Oak
In 1920, an oak tree was planted in the north-western corner of the square by the then Prince of Wales — later King Edward VIII. The tree remains today and is a notable historical marker in the square, predating the WWI clock tower by eight years.
Where to Learn More
Marlborough District Council — Seymour Square — official council facility page with current condition and access information.
The Prow — Seymour Square — Nelson-Marlborough heritage website with detailed history of the square, the clock tower and the memorial fountain.
Te Ara Encyclopedia — War Memorial Clock Tower Blenheim — Encyclopedia of New Zealand entry with historic context for the tower and its construction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Seymour Square?
In central Blenheim — it is the main town square.
Who is Seymour Square named after?
Henry Seymour, who with Alfred Fell owned the land on which the original Beaver (Blenheim) settlement was built.
How tall is the Seymour Square clock tower?
16.5 metres.
When was the clock tower unveiled?
1928 — as a War Memorial to the 419 Marlborough residents killed in WWI.
What stone was used in the tower?
Stone gathered from across Marlborough — Pukaka Valley near Tuamarina, the Waihopai Valley, the Awatere River and Wharanui on the Kaikōura coast. Tākaka marble in the cross. The tower dome and the outer circumference of the clock face are Australian sandstone, deliberately symbolising ANZAC cooperation.
Is there a WWII memorial at Seymour Square?
Yes — a separate memorial fountain adjacent to the clock tower commemorates those who served in WWII.
Why is there an oak tree in the corner?
It was planted in 1920 by the Prince of Wales — later King Edward VIII — in the north-western corner of the square.
For more Blenheim heritage see the historical and cultural sites guide.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
