London
10 Best Fountains in London
London’s fountains range from memorials and historic drinking fountains to splash features, sculptural works and waterside public spaces. This comparison helps you choose according to the atmosphere, setting and activity you want rather than treating every fountain as the same kind of outing.
How we rank this list
We chose fountains in London with a proven record among their customers and ranked them with the specialists first. The list is reviewed regularly so it stays current.
A few businesses pay to stand out, always after passing our editorial review and with a label that says so.
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Full Comparison of 10 Fountains in London
Fountains
Open 24 hours
Fountains is the pair of fountain pools flanking Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square. The attraction suits visitors exploring central London landmarks who want to pause in a historic public setting, with the fountains’ sculptural marine figures and evening lighting adding visual interest to the square.
Strengths: Two sister pools positioned on either side of Nelson’s Column
Sightseers visiting Trafalgar SquareVisitors looking for a brief pause among central London landmarks5 Trafalgar Sq, London WC2N 5DS, United KingdomDiana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain
The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain is a London memorial completed in 2004 in Cornish granite, with a design intended to represent Diana’s life. Set within parkland, its flowing water creates a place for reflection, photography and family visits. The fountain suits visitors combining a memorial stop with a walk, picnic or time outdoors, though it can become busy on hot weekends.
Strengths: A flowing Cornish-granite memorial design set in parkland
Visitors seeking a peaceful memorial and outdoor place to pauseFamilies combining sightseeing with a park visitW Carriage Dr, London W2 2UH, United KingdomCabot Square Fountain
Open 24 hours
Cabot Square Fountain is a public water feature in a modern Canary Wharf square surrounded by office buildings, shops and restaurants. Seating, greenery, art installations and the fountain's cascading water create a place for lunch breaks, casual meetings, relaxing or taking photographs. The square also hosts events and markets during the year.
Strengths: The fountain and cascading waterfall form a calm feature in a busy financial district
Office workers and visitors wanting a city-centre breakPeople seeking seating, greenery and water sounds among Canary Wharf's buildingsVisitors combining the fountain with nearby shops and restaurants15 Cabot Sq, Canary Wharf Estate, London E14 4QT, United KingdomOlympic Park Splash Fountain
Olympic Park Splash Fountain is a water-play feature in London’s Olympic Park, suited to families looking for an outdoor activity on a warm day. Children can play in the fountain while visitors also have views towards the stadium and access to nearby playground facilities.
Strengths: Combines a splash fountain with views of the stadium
Families with children seeking outdoor water playWarm-weather visits to the Olympic ParkQueen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford Walk, London E15 2NG, United KingdomSt Lawrence Jewry Drinking Fountain
Open 24 hours
St Lawrence Jewry Drinking Fountain is a small Gothic Revival drinking fountain in Carter Lane Gardens beside St Paul’s Cathedral. Designed by John Robinson with bronze sculpture by Joseph Durham, it depicts St Lawrence and St Mary Magdalene and was originally installed in 1866 before being restored and reassembled at its current location in 2010.
Strengths: Grade II-listed Gothic Victorian design
Walkers exploring historic landmarks near St Paul’s CathedralVisitors interested in Victorian civic architecture2 Cannon St, London EC4M 6YH, United KingdomVenus Fountain
Open 24 hours
Venus Fountain is a historic bronze public artwork in Sloane Square, where King’s Road meets the square in Chelsea. Gilbert Ledward completed it in 1953. The fountain features a kneeling Venus pouring water from a conch shell into a bronze basin, with local historical and literary details incorporated into the design. It suits walkers seeking a compact cultural stop.
Strengths: A 1953 Gilbert Ledward sculpture anchors the square
Walkers exploring Sloane Square and ChelseaVisitors interested in public art and local history13-14 Sloane Square, London SW1W 8SB, United KingdomReady Money Drinking Fountain, Regents Park
Open 24 hours
Ready Money Drinking Fountain in Regent’s Park is a historic Gothic Revival drinking fountain dating from the nineteenth century. Built from marble and granite, the monument features intricate carvings, a heron and a historical plaque, and is remembered for its former separate drinking tiers for people and animals. It makes a compact heritage stop during a walk near the park’s boating lake.
Strengths: Its design reflects a rare double fountain for people and pets
Walkers exploring Regent’s ParkVisitors interested in small-scale Victorian monuments and unusual local historyThe Broad Walk, London NW1 4HJ, United KingdomJoy of Life Fountain ⛲
Open 24 hours
The Joy of Life Fountain is a bronze Boy and Dolphin fountain listed among Hyde Park’s monuments. Set among London’s green spaces, it offers a small-scale place to pause, sit, draw or people-watch rather than a formal indoor attraction. Benches and surrounding planting make it suited to a quiet break during a walk through the park.
Strengths: The listed monument is specifically identified as the Boy and Dolphin fountain
A peaceful outdoor pause in Hyde ParkVisitors interested in public sculpture and small landmarksHyde Park, London W1K 7AN, United KingdomFountain of St Thomas Gardens
Fountain of St Thomas Gardens is a London tourist attraction combining landscaped grounds, river views and the Revolving Torsion Fountain. The stainless-steel fountain was designed by Russian-born constructivist artist Naum Gabo in 1972–73 and is on long-term loan from Tate Gallery. The gardens suit a quiet rest, lunch break or pause during a city walk.
Strengths: Features Naum Gabo’s Revolving Torsion Fountain
A calm riverside pause while exploring LondonVisitors interested in public art and landscaped gardensWestminster Bridge, The Queen's Walk, London SE1 7EP, United KingdomWater Fountains
Water Fountains is a London park and riverside public space offering views towards landmarks including Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast, the Tower of London, City Hall and The Shard. It suits visitors wanting a low-cost place to wander, relax, take photographs or cool off at the fountains. The surrounding area also includes sculptures and riverside places to eat and drink.
Strengths: Views several central London landmarks
A relaxed riverside wanderCity and landmark photographyA low-cost outdoor outing with children1-2 More London Pl, London SE1 2AF, United Kingdom
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Different kinds of fountain visit
- Memorial and reflective visitsThe Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain combines flowing water, parkland, photography and family visits in a setting intended for reflection.
- Landmark sightseeingFountains beside Nelson’s Column suit visitors exploring Trafalgar Square, while Water Fountains offers riverside views towards several London landmarks.
- Family water playOlympic Park Splash Fountain is designed for children’s outdoor play on warm days, with nearby playground facilities and stadium views.
- Historic fountain spottingReady Money Drinking Fountain and St Lawrence Jewry Drinking Fountain offer compact stops for walkers interested in Gothic Revival design and civic history.
- Public art and quiet pausesJoy of Life Fountain, Venus Fountain and Fountain of St Thomas Gardens provide small-scale sculpture, landscaped surroundings or a relaxed break.
- City-square downtimeCabot Square Fountain combines cascading water with seating, greenery, art installations, shops, restaurants and seasonal events.
How to choose a London fountain to visit
- Decide whether you want water play or sculptureAn active family visit calls for the Olympic Park feature, while the historic and artistic options suit observation and walking.
- Match the fountain to your routeChoose parkland, a landmark square, riverside gardens or a business-district setting according to the rest of your day.
- Check operating cautionsSome features may be seasonal, switched off or affected by events; the supplied notes flag these limitations for particular fountains.
- Allow for the scale of the attractionVenus Fountain and several historic fountains are modest public artworks or compact monuments rather than major visitor attractions.
- Consider the desired paceMemorials, gardens and park fountains support a slower pause, whereas Trafalgar Square and Canary Wharf work naturally as sightseeing stops.
Questions people often ask
Which London fountain is best for children to play in?
Olympic Park Splash Fountain is the clearest fit for outdoor water play. It is described as suitable for families and warm-weather visits, though it can close during events.
Are all the listed fountains working?
No. The supplied information says Ready Money Drinking Fountain is no longer functional, while Joy of Life Fountain and Fountain of St Thomas Gardens may not be running at certain times.
Where can I combine a fountain with a park walk?
The Diana Memorial Fountain, Ready Money Drinking Fountain, Joy of Life Fountain and Forty Hall-related settings are associated with parkland or outdoor walking contexts.
Which options are mainly historic or artistic landmarks?
Ready Money Drinking Fountain, St Lawrence Jewry Drinking Fountain, Venus Fountain and Joy of Life Fountain are particularly suited to visitors interested in design, sculpture or history.
