top of page

Guilford Place fountain

Restoration of the fountain

Guilford Place, Lambs Conduit Street, Holborn, WC1N 1EA

The Guilford Place fountain was built in 1870, designed by architect Henry Darbishire (1825 – 1899). Darbishire was best known for working on philanthropic schemes including projects by Angela Burdett-Coutts, and was the architect of Columbia Market in Bethnal Green. For many years he also worked for the Peabody Trust. There is some debate whether the fountain commemorates the mother or father of the Misses Whiting daughters, but it is likely it was Mr Francis Whiting, who who lived in nearby Mecklenburgh Square. The statue is a sculptured marble figure of the ‘Woman of Samaria’, in loose robes and scarf, kneeling on left knee to either fill or pour a water jar. In the story of the woman of Samaria meeting Jesus he embraces her even though she is a social outcast with five previous husbands: “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst.”

The fountain’s location on Lambs Conduit Street, a vibrant and historically significant thoroughfare, ensured that it would serve as a vital resource for residents and passers-by. Next door are Ladies' and Gentlemen's public conveniences with yellow tiles, mahogany doors, decorative grills and their original fittings – in recent years converted to a wine & charcuterie bar.

HOLT gave a £12,000 grant towards this project with support from the Jones Day Foundation and was supported also by Mr Roger Cline. The project included cleaning and poulticing, reconditioning of the existing plumbing and replacement of missing stonework.

The fountain was unveiled in October 2024 with over 30 local supporters, Heritage of London Trust and local school pupils as part of HOLT’s Proud Places youth engagement programme.

whitechapel 2.jpg
  • Insta button update
  • youtube button update
  • X button
  • LinkedIn button website

© Copyright 2025 by Heritage of London Trust           Heritage of London Trust is a registered charity no. 280272, company no. 01485287

bottom of page