Hanbury fountain

The Hanbury Drinking Fountain has been unveiled following its restoration by Heritage of London Trust, Merton Council and the Wimbledon Society.

The Victorian fountain has now been returned to working order with fresh drinking water, and is a striking example of the 19^th century fascination with classical architecture. Modelled on the 4^th century BC Choragic Monument of Lysicrates in Athens, it reflects a period when classical Greek design shaped Britain’s public monuments and civic spaces. It has been relocated from its former Wimbledon Common site to the bustling Wimbledon High Street to serve a higher number of passers-by.

The drinking fountain was originally presented as a gift to the public by Robert William Hanbury, MP and President of the Board of Agriculture, and first opened in 1860 on the Strand. It provided fresh, clean water to the public, only 100 metres away from the filthy and disease-ridden waters of the Thames that had caused multiple cholera outbreaks.

The fountain hadn’t been working for decades. The restoration project included major work to the cast iron fountain – heavily corroded – as well as new piping and gilded lettering.

This is the 19th historic drinking fountain restored by HOLT. In 2023 Heritage of London Trust restored the Toynbee Fountain in Wimbledon.

108 local young people were involved through the Proud Places programme and locals were excited about the project and its new location. Ben, age 16 from Wimbledon College said:

"This drinking fountain represents the ability to bring more to locals. It's a necessity for all of us, even though some of us here may not be from an English heritage, we all need water to survive. With projects like this we can come together as a community and a culture to do something good for everyone."

Steve Graham, Managing Director & Co-Founder, Imago Interiors said:

“The relocation is fantastic, it’s in an active area and as a landmark is iconic, it will be forever. To see the interaction from the schools that have been involved; it's great to see them talk with confidence and you can see people that maybe might not be used to speaking in public master that. Excellent attendance for the event too.”

Robert Moses, local resident said:

“I think the relocation is fabulous, it puts the whole thing front and centre, because where it was in the past it was largely out of sight out of mind. The work that has been done here is brilliant, the idea for it to have fresh running water. Now we have the Toynbee Fountain at one end giving fresh drinking water and this at this end. I think it’s brilliant, I’m really delighted.”

The unveiling on 10 March was joined by the Mayor of Merton, Cllr Martin Whelton, along with many local residents.

Thanks to the support of the Jones Day Foundation and to Merton Council and the Wimbledon Society for working with us on this project.