The inscription on the south side reads, "It was his a sinking nation's fame to save, to foster latent worth and patriot zeal and build on virtues, based a nation's weal."

The east side explains, "This statue of his most illustrious ancestor is erected to commemorate the coronation of His Majesty George Vth, June 22nd 1911. A King who grandly follows in great King Alfred's footsteps."

The writing on the north side says that, "Once a chief landowner in this vale, King Alfred fought nobly to his country's benefit", whilst that on the west side simply indicates that the date of erection was June 23 1913.

King Alfred the Great reigned over Wessex from 871 to 899, defending it from the Vikings. There are also statues of him in Wantage and Winchester.