Fountain

Frances Whiting memorial fountain

Erection date: /4/1870

This figure represents the woman of Samaria (a Samaritan) at the well, from St John's gospel.

Site: Frances Whiting memorial fountain (1 memorial)

WC1, Guilford Place

From the Grade 2 listing entry: "Drinking fountain situated on a traffic island. 1870. Designed by architect Henry Darbishire for the Misses Whiting to commemorate their mother. ... a sculptured figure of the Woman of Samaria, in loose robes and scarf, kneeling on left knee to fill a water jar. The drinking fountain forms a civic group with the cast-iron railings to the Ladies' & Gentlemen's public conveniences (qv), situated behind it."

These toilets are referenced in Sarah McCabe's dissertation: 'The Provision of Underground Public Conveniences in London with Reference to Gender Differentials, 1850s-1980s'. The toilets arrived in 1931 and were closed c.1988 due to costs. On the subject of toilets, for ladies in particular: it is said that the Ladies in Parkway, Camden Town, was probably the first Ladies in London, It was created, along with the Gents, in about 1900, at least partly due to the promptings of George Bernard Shaw, a St Pancras councillor at the time. It attracted opposition since the absence of toilets for ladies restricted their freedom and kept them where they belonged: at home.

2024: Ian Visits reported that this fountain has been restored: the structure, the sculpture and the function - it now delivers water again!  We note also that the area behind is now a seating area for the underground WC Wine & Charcuterie Bloomsbury.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
Frances Whiting memorial fountain

Subjects commemorated i

Francis Whiting

Over a few years this fountain has led us on a merry dance, trying to identif...

Read More

This section lists the subjects who helped to create/erect the memorial on this page:
Frances Whiting memorial fountain

Created by i

Henry Astley Darbishire

From Anatpro: English architect mostly associated with philanthropic schemes,...

Read More

Nearby Memorials

Lord Drogheda

Lord Drogheda

SW1, St James's Street

If this rather barren 60s paved area looks familiar perhaps you recognise it from the first scene in Antonioni's Blowup, from 1966.

1 subject commemorated, 2 creators
Central London District Schools Water Fountain

Central London District Schools Water Fountain

W7, Westcott Crescent, Hanwell Community Centre

The (non-working) water fountain is located in a small garden next to the Hanwell Community Centre.

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee fountain - WC2

Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee fountain - WC2

WC2, Princes Circus

We'd give odds that most Londoners have never heard of Princes Circus but it's there on the map, at the junction of Shaftesbury Avenue, S...

2 subjects commemorated
Viscount & Viscountess Southwood - St James's

Viscount & Viscountess Southwood - St James's

W1, Piccadilly

The ashes of both Southwoods are in the memorial at the top of the steps. The labels behind the cherubs read: "Not drinking water" and "...

2 subjects commemorated, 2 creators
Nell Gwynne - Sloane Square

Nell Gwynne - Sloane Square

SW1, Sloane Square

She's manipulating a fan but meanwhile, unnoticed by Nell, her dress has slipped off her right shoulder causing a costume malfunction.

1 subject commemorated, 5 creators

Previously viewed

George V statue

George V statue

SW1, St Margaret Street

Unveiled by George VI and we thank Jamie Davis for finding this link to the British Pathe news film of the unveiling.  Everyone who was a...

1 subject commemorated, 3 creators
Sir Henry Cole - NW3

Sir Henry Cole - NW3

NW3, Elm Row, 3

Sir Henry Cole lived here 1879 - 1880. He originated the custom of sending Christmas cards and was largely responsible for the foundation...

2 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
Lankester plaque

Lankester plaque

E1, Commercial Road

The plaque is on the wall at pedestrian eye height, immediately below the clock. Numbers 384-392 did not become part of the hospital unt...

2 subjects commemorated
Warrant Officer Class 2 Graham Barker

Warrant Officer Class 2 Graham Barker

Graham Barker was born on 21 June 1946 at 88 Stanfield Road, Winton, Bournemouth, Hampshire (now Dorset), the youngest of the four children of Ronald Charles George Barker (1909-1954) and Zoe Marga...

Person, Armed Forces, Terrorism, Tragedy

1 memorial
Walthamstow Strawberry tree

Walthamstow Strawberry tree

E17, Forest Road, 458, Ross Wyld Care Home

There is an identical plaque on the side wall of the care home.

2 subjects commemorated, 1 creator