drinking fountains

As found outside the Aldersgate Street entrance to Postman’s Park ... the inscription reads ... In Memoriam ... James & Mary Ann Ward ... Late of Aldersgate And Islington ... Erected By Their Daughters 1876

As found in Finsbury Circus ... the inscription reads ... Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association 1902 ... a more modest fountain (again provided by the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association) as seen below, may be found by the bandstand

As found on a wall outside the garden of St Mary Aldermanbury ... the inscription reads ... The Gift of Robert H Rogers Esq Deputy of the Ward to St Mary the Virgin Aldermanbury 1890

One of a pair to be found at the Bishopsgate entrance to the garden of St Botolph-Without-Bishopsgate - the inscription reads ... The Gift of C Gilpin Esq M.P. ... the other fountain was a gift by the churchwardens

As found outside St Botolph Aldgate ... the inscription reads ... Metropolitan Drinking Fountain Association ... Erected by permission of the Vicar and Church Wardens ... In honoured memory of Frederic David Mocatta in recognition of a benevolent life

None alas appear to be in working order. That being said, the idea of drinking out of (chained) cups as provided below left seems pretty unpleasant. This page identifies a number of the public fountains &c. that are to be found in the City. As will be seen they come (more properly came) in various shapes and sizes.

Some were provided by the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association (initially merely the Metropolitan Free Drinking Fountain Association, the name changing when facilities for cattle, dogs, horses &c. were introduced), the others as gifts from private individuals.

A shadow of its former self (a figure previously stood below the canopy), this fountain, at the back of the Royal Exchange off Cornhill, was erected during 1912 to replace an earlier version

As found on the north side of Blackfriar’s Bridge ... the inscription reads ... Erected by the Metropolitan Free Drinking Fountains Association ... Sam Gurney MP Chairman 1861

A (seemingly well-kept) fountain my be glimpsed behind (permanently?) locked gates at One Tree Park in Monument Street

As found beside the Royal Exchange in Cornhill ... the pump was erected during the late-1700’s, the trough later ... a well was established here in 1282

As found behind the Royal Exchange off Threadneedle Street ... it is understood it was erected during the 1880’s

As found outside the entrance to St Dunstan in the West in Fleet Street ... the inscription reads ... The Gift of Sir James Duke, Bart, MP and churchwarden 1860

As found just inside the entrance to West Smithfield Garden ... the inscription reads ... Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association

The Aldgate Pump drinking fountain ... may be found at the junction where Aldgate High Street meets Fenchurch Street and Leadenhall Street

A cattle/horse trough found near the western end of London Wall (close to the Museum of London) ... courtesy of the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association

As found on the wall of the old Billingsgate Fish Market in Lower Thames Street ... whilst the inscription is essentially indecipherable the fountain would appear to have been a private gift erected during the 1890’s

The gift of Sam Gurney, MP ... the first Metropolitan Public Drinking Fountain which was erected on Holborn Hill in 1859 ... it may be found on the railings outside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre off Holborn Viaduct/Giltspur Street

As found in Blackfriars Court off New Bridge Street ... courtesy of the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association

As found in St Paul’s Alley ... the inscription reads ... Erected by St Faith’s Parish 1819

As found near the entrance to the Museum of London ... courtesy of the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association

As found in West Smithfield ... courtesy of the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association ... an inscription reads ... In memory of Philip Twells MP for the City of London May 8, 1881