Features / things you probably didn't know
By Ellie Pipe , Thursday Dec 23, 2021
Around the back of St Nick’s Market, in a spot mostly taken over by bikes and grit bins, an ornate relic of a bygone age is hidden in plain sight.
Featuring a young head of Queen Victoria surrounded by cherubs, the Grade II-listed water fountain was donated by a wealthy grocery merchant to celebrate the then monarch’s birthday in 1859.
The fountain on the wall on St Nicholas Street is one of several across the city as lasting reminders of a time when fresh drinking water was made publicly available as a means of combating the problems caused by contaminated supplies that prompted many people to stick to beer instead.
Independent journalism is needed now more than ever.
History is now repeating itself, with campaigns such as the Bristol-born Refill project highlighting the need for accessible, free drinking water – this time, to cut down on plastic use.
Featuring monarchs, fish and many a lion head, a number of the water features were erected as memorial monuments. While few are in operation today, they continue to provide a fountain of historical knowledge as we weave a watery map across the city.
Queen Victoria Fountain on St Nicholas Street was donated by a wealthy grocery merchant to celebrate the then monarch’s birthday in 1859 – photo by Ellie Pipe
Grade II-listed water fountain on Colston Avenue
The Grade II-listed water fountain on Colston Avenue was erected in 1901 – photo by Martin Booth
This fountain was erected to commemorate the successful industrial and fine art exhibition held on this site in 1893 – photo by Martin Booth
Just one lion-head tap survives on this free-standing granite fountain, erected in 1901, just along from the Cenotaph on Colston Avenue.
Urijah Thomas Memorial Fountain on Blackboy Hill
You can just see the listed urinal in the background of this photo of the Urijah Thomas Memorial Fountain on Black Boy Hill – photo by Ellie Pipe
Built in 1904 to celebrate the life of the reverend Urijah Rees Thomas, this grand covered fountain stands proud at the top of Blackboy Hill. One of the city’s three listed urinals is situated a stone’s throw away.
End of the Pipe Walk at St Mary Redcliffe Church
The end of the Pipe Walk at St Mary Redcliffe Church – photo by Ellie Pipe
Situated on a wall surrounding one of Bristol’s most famous landmarks, a lion head mounted on a Latin inscription marks the end of a pipe that was once the only supply of clean, fresh water for the people of Redcliffe.
Churchgoers still take part in an annual ‘pipe walk’ from its start in Knowle’s Northern Slopes to St Mary Redcliffe Church.
Drinking fountain in Fishponds Park
The water fountain in Fishponds Park is dated 1893 – photo by Ellie Pipe
Dating from 1893, a stone arch in Fishponds Park protects the ornate water fountain and bowl within.
The St George fountain marks the ancient entrance to the old Royal Forest of Kingswood- photo by Ellie Pipe
Boasting a trough of vibrant flowers, the St George Fountain stands at the fork of Clouds Hill Road and Summerhill Road, overlooking passing traffic.
Marking the ancient entrance to the old Royal Forest of Kingswood, it is said the fountain is located at what was once the site of Don John’s Cross.
William Butler presented the St. George Fountain to the Parish in 1890.
Sometimes filled with litter and debris, this water fountain on the corner of Old Market Street and Midland Road is a lasting reminder of a bygone era – photo by Ellie Pipe
The Jubilee Clock Tower in Churchill
The Jubilee Clock Tower in Churchill was to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897 – photo by Ellie Pipe
Built to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897, this Grade II-listed monument at the entrance to the village between Dinghurst Road and Front Street features a striking clock and drinking fountain below.
Made of local stone, the tower was designed by Joseph Foster Wood FRIBA of Foster & Wood in Bristol.
Hotwell Road fountain was erected in 1902 as a memorial to Simon Short – photo by Betty Woolerton
Short was described as the ‘Father of the Coffee Tavern Movement’ – photo by Betty Woolerton
This ornate, freestanding drinking fountain was erected in 1902 as a memorial to Simon Short, a native of Bristol who was regarded as the ‘Father of the Coffee Tavern Movement’, which sought to combat the evils caused by excessive alcohol consumption in Victorian England by promoting what were essentially pubs without the alcohol.
This simple but stunning hidden fountain looks out over Christina Terrace in Hotwells – photo by Betty Woolerton
The Edwardian water fountain in Page Park was restored in 2019 – photo by Ellie Pipe
Restored in 2019, the impressive water fountain in the heart of Page Park was donated in 1912.
The drinking fountain created by Gordon Young near Warmley on the Bristol & Bath Railway Path provides refreshment for many thirsty travellers – photo by Ellie Pipe
Alright, this impressive figure erected in 1992 may not be classed historical to most of us but we couldn’t leave out this working water fountain.
Situated near Warmley on the Bristol & Bath Railway Path, the sculpture created by Gordon Young, and commissioned by Sustrans, has provided welcome refreshment for many a thirsty cyclist or walker.
Bronze fish fountain in Castle Park
The bronze fish water fountain in Castle Park was created by ceramic artist Kate Malone – photo by Ellie Pipe
Again, not strictly historical but this fish fountain by ceramic artist Kate Malone that was first unveiled in Castle Park 1993 is simply stunning.
Also created to provide drinking water as part of the Bristol & Bath Railway Path, it was turned off because the open spouts didn’t comply with the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme. The council then announced it was to be remodelled and brought it back to life in 2019 but it currently remains out of action.
This lamp and water fountain on the corner of Kellaway Avenue and Wellington Hill West was originally located on a hill known as Pig Sty Hill – photo by Martin Booth
This late Victorian lamp and water fountain at the junction of Wellington Hill West and Kellaway Avenue was originally located at the bottom of a hill known locally as Pig Sty Hill, where it provided a welcome respite for horses dragging heavily laden carts up the steep incline.
It was erected in 1900 to commemorate W. D. Watt, grand master of the Oddfellows Society of Bristol, and member of Bristol County Council.
Main photo by Ellie Pipe
Read more: Bristol’s three listed Victorian urinals
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