Historic fountain at Victoria Embankment Gardens springs back to life

Image: courtesy of Westminster City Council

A 1950s fountain at Victoria Embankment Gardens, with its history dating back to the late 17th century, has recently been restored by Westminster City Council after more than 20 years of disuse, bringing back to life an important piece of London history.

Located at the end of Villiers Street, the fountain and the surrounding bandstand is believed to have been built in the early to mid-1950s. The octagonal fountain was inspired by the original pumping station erected nearby in 1675-76, which had provided water pressure for houses along the Strand by using a heavy weight on the top of the tower. Standing at over 70 feet tall, the water tower used to be a major landmark on the London skyline.

The bandstand surrounding the fountain dates back to the 1870s, when it was used to host midday concerts for workers from the neighbouring printing works.

After more than two decades of disuse, Westminster City Council has successfully restored the fountain to get the water feature flowing again. The £85,000 restoration project carefully preserved the original teak finish and completely replaced the sprinkler system and water treatment to meet current hygiene standards. LED lighting has been added to each tier of the fountain, which can be specially programmed for seasonal events and celebrations.

Cllr David Boothroyd, Cabinet Member for Finance and Council Reform, said:

“The Victoria Embankment Bandstand Fountain is a fascinating piece of London’s heritage and it’s wonderful to see it flowing again after more than two decades.“By preserving its original character and updating it with modern technology, we’re ensuring it remains a vibrant part of the city for future generations to enjoy.”