7 Interesting Fountains of Great Britain

If you’re planning to visit Great Britain, you should never miss the chance to go see its many magnificent fountains. Since the 17th century, fountains had served not only as luxurious decorations for English country homes but also as status symbols for the rich. Britain lodges numerous fountains worth visiting, so to help you out with your itinerary, we narrowed them down to seven. Here is a list of our hand-picked favorite fountains of Great Britain that are all worth the visit.

1. Emperor Fountain

Beautifully situated in the grounds of Chatsworth House, this fountain was commissioned by the Duke of Devonshire, built by Joseph Paxton in 1843, and finished within six months. It was constructed just to impress the visiting Tsar Nicholas of Russia, but, unfortunately, he never really came. The Emperor Fountain can sprout waters up to a height of 200 feet, making it a very famous attraction in Derbyshire.

2. Admiral Beatty Memorial Fountain and Admiral Jellicoe Memorial Fountain

Trafalgar Square, London, England is the home of two famous fountains of Great Britain, the Admiral Beatty Memorial Fountain and the Admiral Jellicoe Memorial Fountain. These fountains were built to commemorate two WWI British naval heroes, Lord John Jellicoe and Lord David Beatty. They were first built in the 1900s and were renovated to include new pumps and lighting in 2009.

3. Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain

This great fountain can be found in Piccadilly Circus and was built in 1893 by Alfred Gilbert in tribute to Lord Shaftesbury, a British philanthropist. The fountain displays Anteros, "The Angel of Christian Charity" made of aluminum, which Londoners first thought was Eros, the Greek God of Love.

4. Great Fountain

Another grandeur fountain can be found in Enville Hall, Enville, Staffordshire, England. Built in the middle of the 19th century, the Great Fountain can generate a 150-feet waterspout and uses two steam engines to feed a hilltop reservoir. The fountain can maintain its water spout for a couple of minutes before emptying the reservoir.

5. Rising Universe

Found in Horsham, West Sussex, England, the Rising Universe sure is a worthy sight to see. It was constructed in 1922 in honor of the 200th birthdate of Horsham-born poet, Percy Bysshe Shelley. It features a sphere that is slowly filled with water before it sinks and discharges 6.5 tons of water, then ascends again.

6. Andromeda Fountain

Just recently, in 2017, Queen Victoria’s private garden terrace, the Lower Terrace, was opened to the public. Right in the middle of the garden terrace is a spectacular view, the Andromeda Fountain, which, even though it has gone through a major restoration, is still as beautiful and grandeur as before.

7. Doulton Fountain

Believe it or not, this fabulous fountain in Glasgow Green is entirely made of terra-cotta and was constructed in 1888 for the Glasgow International Exhibition of Science, Art, and Industry. A beautiful statue of Queen Victoria is neatly situated at the summit, but due to an unfortunate lightning strike, it was destroyed and eventually replaced by a replica.

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