Walter Fountain

About

The Walter Fountain was erected at the junction of Greyfriar Gate and Lister Gate, Nottingham in 1866. The Walter Fountain was designed by Richard Charles Sutton and commissioned in memory of John Walter, MP for Nottingham, by Mr John Walter, at a cost of £1,000 (equivalent to £102,900 in 2025), with the Corporation of Nottingham providing the site, and laying in the supply of water. The foundation stone was laid on 24 October 1865 by the Mayor of Nottingham, William Page Esq. The fountain was opened on 3 July 1866 by the Mayor of Nottingham.

The fountain was described in the Illustrated London News of 25 August 1866 as a structure of gothic character, highly decorated and of octagonal form. It rises in four stages to a height of 40 feet (12 m), the diameter at the base being 12 feet (3.7 m). Four basins of polished Aberdeen granite occupy four sides of the lower stage, the other four compartments being filled in with suitable inscriptions. Immediately above the basins on two sides are placed medallion portraits of the late Mr. John Walter, in white marble, considerably recessed, under traceried canopies. The first stage is surrounded by a trefoil pierced parapet. The eight compartments...