Readymoney Drinking Fountain facts for kids
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The Readymoney Drinking Fountain is a special landmark in Regent's Park, London. People sometimes call it the Parsee Fountain. It's a beautiful old structure, officially recognized as a Grade II listed building. You can find it on the east side of the park, near the Broad Walk path. It's also close to London Zoo and sits on one of the highest spots in the park. This makes it easy to spot from far away!
Contents
A Gift of Gratitude: The Fountain's Story
This special drinking fountain was built in 1869. A very successful businessman named Sir Cowasji Jehangir Readymoney paid for it. He was a Parsee from Mumbai (which was called Bombay back then). Sir Cowasji wanted to thank the people of England. He was grateful for how they protected the Parsee community in British India. The fountain cost about £1,400, which was a lot of money at the time!
Design and Materials: How It Looks
Gothic Style and Sculptor
The fountain was designed in a Gothic style. This means it looks a bit like old churches or castles. The architect was Robert Keirle. He worked for the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association. The actual building of the fountain was done by a sculptor named Henry Ross.
Materials Used
Ross used some amazing materials to build it. He used 10 tons of white marble from Sicily. He also used 4 tons of pink and grey granite from Aberdeen. These different stones make the fountain look very striking.
Unique Features and Details
The main part of the fountain has four sides and sits on three octagonal steps. Each side has a pink granite basin for people to drink from. There are also granite blocks on the ground next to each basin. Look closely, and you'll see small openings at the bottom. These were made so dogs could also have a drink!
Above each basin, there's a carved marble panel. One shows a lion, and another shows a Brahmin bull. Above these carvings, there's a decorated band with inlaid stars. The top of the central block looks like a pointed roof, called a gable. It has a fancy decoration at the very top. At each corner, three pink granite columns rise up to a single point.
Three of the gables have carved faces, called busts. These show Sir Cowasji Readymoney, Prince Albert, and Queen Victoria. The fourth gable has a clock.
Unveiling and Restoration: Keeping It Beautiful
Grand Unveiling Ceremony
The Readymoney Drinking Fountain was officially opened on August 1, 1869. Princess Mary of Teck did the honors. She was the granddaughter of King George III. Her daughter later became Queen Mary.
Important Restorations
The fountain was listed as a Grade II building in 1970. This means it's an important historical structure. It was restored between 1999 and 2000. This big project cost over £400,000! The money came from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
A modern plaque on the fountain tells its story: "This fountain erected by the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association was the gift of Sir Cowasjee Jehangir (Companion of the Star of India), a wealthy Parsee gentleman of Bombay, as a token of gratitude to the people of England for the protection enjoyed by him and his Parsee fellow countrymen under the British rule in India.
Inaugurated by H.R.H. Princess Mary, Duchess of Teck, 1869.
Restoration supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund 1999 – 2000."
More restoration work was done in 2016 and 2017. The water no longer flows from the old fountain. However, a new, modern drinking fountain has been placed nearby for visitors to use.
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Fountain in 2006
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Fountain in 2009
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Fountain in 2013
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