King Edward's Recreation Ground Drinking Fountain

Formerly private land in agricultural use, King Edward's Recreation Ground in Kingston was named after the new King, Edward VII (1901-1910) in May 1901, shortly after his coronation.

The fountain was erected at one side of it in 1906, by the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain Association, funded by a donation from Francis Stephen Clayton from Hook, a local village. Clayton was a lawyer who set up: "Francis Stephen Clayton for the Poor” – a registered charity still recognised by the Charity Commission.

The fountain was opened with a public ceremony, including the chairman of the urban district council to 'a large number of villagers, and the school children'.

'The gift is much appreciated in the village and will serve a useful purpose on the ground where it is erected.' (Surrey Comet, May 1901).

The fountain is structurally sound with minor chips on the bowl edge and the base edge. Pointing in the joints is failing and in parts later cementitious mortar repairs are evident. The lid, urn and neck sections are missing, and the remaining lower part of the neck (part of the bowl) has been filled with concrete.

As part of its 2025 restoration project, the drinking fountain has been dismantled and all old plumbing removed. Replacement carving for the neck and urn has been made in granite to match the existing style, detail, colour and texture as closely as possible. The inscription on the column was painted in enamel paint and then gilded. It has been re-plumbed and re-erected.

HOLT worked with Kingston Council to restore this fountain in 2025.