York Drinking Fountain

The city of York is awash with so much history, that there is something of interest everywhere you look. If you've visited York on the train before, you may have seen this lovely Victorian drinking fountain near the entrance to York Museum Gardens as you've headed into the city.

The fountain was initially in place round the corner in Library Square but was relocated in 1927 to accommodate the new library. It was built in 1880 by monumental mason, Job Cole who was a prolific sculptor of his time, with the bulk of his work found in York Cemetery. Cole had his own workshop on Gillygate in York and he displayed his wares at The Great Exhibition of York in 1866. The exhibition was held in a purpose built hall attracting 400,000 visitors and celebrated York's growing role in design and industry.

The fountain was donated to the people of York by Henry Cowling, a local solicitor who understood the need for access to clean water at a time when outbreaks of cholera were common. It would have been a huge step forward for the people of York and probably saved numerous lives. It was eventually replaced with running water in people's homes, and from the 1980s, was no longer in use.

As with many Victorian sculptures, it has been built in a very grand Gothic Revival style, complete with some fancy adornments. The sandstone fountain has a lion mask waterspout, a gabled canopy with carp heads and fish tails and the shield of York facing onto Museum Street. On the opposite side, there is a shield which displays the crossed keys of St Peter, a symbol of the city and the Minster.

This is a lovely little gem and a reminder of the innovations of the Victorians and the progress that they made. There is so much more history in this area you'll be spoilt for choice, but York Museum Gardens is a great place to start.