White Conduit House facts for kids
.jpg)
The White Conduit House was a famous building in Islington, a part of London. For many years, starting in the late 1600s, it was a popular place for people to relax and have fun away from the busy city. The building was taken down in 1849.
Contents
White Conduit House: A Fun Place in Old London
Water Supply for Monasteries
Long ago, in the Middle Ages, there were natural springs and water pipes in the area where White Conduit House stood. A special building, called a conduit house, was built there. It helped send fresh water to a large monastery in London called Greyfriars Monastery. Later, it also supplied water to another religious house, a Carthusian priory.
In 1641, a man named Thomas Sutton repaired this water system. He was the founder of the London Charterhouse, which was built where the priory used to be. The conduit house kept supplying water to the Charterhouse until about 1654. After that, they started getting water from a newer source called the New River.
A Popular Leisure Spot
By the late 1600s, the White Conduit House area became a popular place for people to enjoy their free time. It was a nice escape from the crowded city center. In 1754, the White Conduit House advertised many exciting things for visitors.
They had a long walking path and a round fish-pond. There were also many pleasant, shady spots to sit and relax. Visitors could enjoy warm bread rolls with butter, coffee, tea, and other drinks. They also served pure, fresh cream. The house had a beautiful long room with "copious prospects," meaning great views, and a "airy situation," which meant it was a breezy and pleasant place to be.
The Birth of Cricket
A field near the White Conduit House, known as White Conduit Fields, was used for playing cricket. A cricket club was formed here, called the White Conduit Club. This club later became very famous and is now known as the Marylebone Cricket Club, or MCC. The MCC is one of the most important cricket clubs in the world!
Changes and Demolition
The original White Conduit House was rebuilt in 1828. The new building was even bigger and included a ballroom where people could dance. However, by 1833, the area started to be seen as less fancy than it used to be.
Finally, the building was taken down in 1849. Today, a pub stands on the same spot. You can find it at the corner of Barnsbury Road and Dewey Road in Islington.
