Baroness Burdett Coutts Drinking Fountain Explained

The Baroness Burdett Coutts Drinking Fountain (also known as the Victoria Fountain) is a Grade II* listed drinking fountain situated in Victoria Park, London.

History

The fountain was designed in 1862 by Henry Astley Darbsihire and erected by Baroness Burdett Coutts at a cost of £5,000.[1] The fountain is made out of granite, and is a 28feet diameter octagon with 60feet red granite columns, in the Gothic style, and is situated near to the Hackney gate of the park.[2] [3] The opening of the fountain in 1862 was attended by 10,000 spectators.[4] [5] The year after the fountain was installed, The Illustrated London News called Victoria Park the best people's park in London, due to its facilities such as the fountain.[6] In his Dictionary of London, Charles Dickens, Jr. described the fountain as "beautiful".[7]

In 1975, the fountain was given Grade II* listed status by Historic England.[8] In 2011, the fountain was refurbished as part of a major restoration of Victoria Park.[9] The fountain is no longer in public use.[10]

External links

51.5371°N -0.0397°W

Notes and References

  1. Book: Fry, H.. London in 1880. Baroness Burdett Coutts Drinking Fountain.. Рипол Классик. 273. 1880. 11 May 2016.
  2. Book: London Past and Present: Its History, Associations, and Traditions. Wheatley. Henry. Cunningham. Peter. Cambridge University Press. 434. February 2011. 9781108028080. 11 May 2016.
  3. News: The Victoria Fountain. Illustrated London News. 13. 1 July 1862. 11 May 2016.
  4. News: Inauguration of a Drinking Fountain in Victoria Park. The Daily News. 2. 30 June 1862. 11 May 2016. British Newspaper Archive. subscription .
  5. News: Home. The Examiner. 10. 5 July 1862. 11 May 2016. British Newspaper Archive. subscription .
  6. Book: The Regeneration of Public Parks. Fieldhouse. Ken. Woudstra. Jan. Taylor & Francis. December 2012. 9781135157890. 11 May 2016.
  7. Book: Jackson, Lee. A Dictionary of Victorian London: An A–Z of the Great Metropolis. Anthem Press. 78. August 2006. 9780857287113. 11 May 2016.
  8. Web site: Baroness Burdett Coutts Drinking Fountain. Historic England. 11 May 2016.
  9. Web site: Victoria Park. Tower Hamlets Council. 11 May 2016.
  10. Web site: Victoria Park. East End Memories. 11 May 2016.

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