Queen Victoria Jubilee Water Fountain

Details

This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 2 June 2025 to amend the language in the description

At Junction of Bloombury Road with Wellsway A367
Queen Victoria Jubilee Water Fountain

II

13/05/10


DESCRIPTION:
A drinking fountain, believed to have been erected in 1897, constructed of limestone, with elements of pink granite and grey granite. The style of the fountain is an eclectic mixture of Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque; its structure comprises a niche set within a limestone surround, with volutes supporting an ogee arch, which terminates in a fleur-de-lis crocket finial. The niche is framed by colonnettes of pink granite, with grey granite bases and limestone stiff-leaf capitals (one of these is damaged), from which rises a trefoil arch within a round-headed arch, with foliate carving to the cusps. The projecting basin is of pink granite; the grey granite tablet from which water originally issued carries inset metal lettering, reading: 'TO COMMEMORATE / QUEEN VICTORIA'S / 60 YEARS REIGN / 1837-1897'.

HISTORY:
The drinking fountain was erected in 1897 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, and to provide clean drinking water in an area undergoing expanding development. The fountain occupies a prominent position at the north end of the gardens separating the early-C19 terrace of 2-28 Bloomfield Road (q.v.) from the villas occupying this stretch of Wellsway, which were built at about the same time as the fountain; Wellsway follows the course of the former Roman Road, the Fosse Way. In the first part of the C20, a further amenity was provided in the form of subterranean public conveniences with railings, which were constructed in front of the fountain. At the time of listing (2010) the fountain has been out of use for many years.

The latter part of the C19 saw a great proliferation of public drinking fountains, erected to combat water-borne diseases and alcohol dependency amongst the poor. For many, it was more difficult to obtain clean drinking water than alcohol; in 1851, the magazine Punch, commenting on the Great Exhibition, observed that, 'Whoever can produce in London a glass of water fit to drink will contribute the rarest and most universally useful article in the whole exhibition'. The Metropolitan Free Drinking Fountain Association erected the first public drinking fountain in 1859, on the boundary fence of St Sephulchre's Church, Snow Hill, City of London; a fountain in a similar, Romanesque, style, appeared in Walcot Street, Bath, in 1861, and many others followed, given by philanthropic associations, and individuals. This fountain is a good example of the free, and often polychromatic, Romanesque and Gothic styles which were much favoured in the design of drinking fountains, the ecclesiastical resonances being considered suitable for an amenity associated with temperance, charity, and purity.

REASONS FOR DESIGNATION
The drinking fountain, erected to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897, is designated at Grade II for the following principal reasons:

* Historical interest: as a good example of a late-C19 drinking fountain, erected to promote public health, and commemorate an event of national significance
* Sculptural interest: for a design which brings considered use of decoration and materials to a primarily functional structure
* Group value: for its relationship with nearby listed buildings

Listing NGR: ST7459063773


The asset was previously listed twice also at List entry 1395632. This entry was removed from the List on 18th November 2015.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

510837

Legacy System:

LBS

End of official list entry

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