pumps london

London & Greater London

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	This stocky pump in Acton is on The Mount, by the North-West Door of St. Mary's Church. It was originally located in the High St., where it had replaced an earlier conduit which previously had supplied the locality with water. It was removed to Woodlands Park when the High Street was set back in 1919. In 1952, it was taken to Gunnersbury Park and stored in the open until in 1988 the Acton Charities requested its return. Funds were raised, the restoration was carried out by Dorothea Restorations of Whaley Bridge, Derbs, and it was re-erected by Burton Brothers, builders of East Acton. Photographs and information kindly supplied by the Acton History group. The pump carries two inscriptions:
	1819 T. FREETHY MAKER ACTON
	ERECTED BY THE REV W^M. ANTROBUS
	(Rev William Antrobus was the long serving rector of St. Mary's, who died in 1853.)
	Markings: None other. Manufacturer: Thomas Freethy, carpenter and builder, Acton.

At the junction of Aldgate, Leadenhall St., and Fenchurch St, this pump has a significant history.

Markings: None.

Manufacturer: Unk.

The "Broad St. Pump", in what's now known as Broadwick St., Soho, has probably the most famous history of any pump in the country. It's only a replica, but click here to read the inscription on the plaque.

Markings: None other.

Manufacturer: Unk.

In Peckham, Camberwell, the old pump has been used as a base for a lamp post. Photos supplied by Mike Faherty - thanks, Mike.

Markings: None reported.

Manufacturer: Unk.

	Ancient cast iron shrouded pump on Cornhill, near the back of the Royal Exchange, designed by architect Nathaniel Wright. In the past this has been nicely preserved and painted, but it's now in dire need of some more TLC. Markings: Inscriptions on front and back panels, with four pictorial emblems that might represent the original major contributors. Manufacturer: Stone base is inscribed:
	PHILLIPS & HOPWOOD ENGINE MAKERS FECERUNT [=Built]

The pump in Farnborough village, Greater London (used to be in Kent), is old but not original, and its cap seems to be a modern replacement. There's a plaque nearby which provides some useful information, including a map of the original location of the village pump, and an inscription. Photo supplied by Simon Cowper-Smith - thanks, Simon.

Markings: None reported.

Manufacturer: Unk.

This one's in Staple Inn, Holborn, London and, despite its aged appearance, is dated 1937 - the latest date I've found on an original pump so far.

Markings: "PAC", "1937" and (apparently) two depictions of woolsacks.

Manufacturer: Unk.

This structure in Gray's Inn, London, looks like a tap now, but is it possibly converted from an earlier pump?

Manufacturer: Unk.

Imposing double-spouted pump, complete with electric lamp on the top, in Bedford Row, just off Gray's Inn, London. The single handle is strapped down.

Markings: Obscured by paint, but looks like "Thompson & ...".

Manufacturer: Thompson & ...?.

Ornate pump in Bushy Park, Hampton, Greater London. Photograph supplied by Des Smyth - thanks, Des.

Markings: None reported.

Manufacturer: Possibly S. Owens.

Click here to
see pic I've
taken from www.geograph.
org.uk's site.

Magnificently restored pump in Ickenham, Greater London. Land was granted for its original construction in 1865 and the will of Charlotte Gell, widow of John Henry Gell of The Buntings, provided the funding for the pump to be erected in 1866. (A charity in her name still exists.) It remained in use until December 1914, and in 1927 the local council wanted to move it in order to carry out a road-widening scheme. However, a report of 2003 indicated that £10,000 was to be allocated for its restoration, and it looks as if this took place successfully.

Markings: Unk.

Manufacturer: Unk.

This one's to be found in Kensington Gardens. Photograph by Chris Williams - thanks, Toph.

Markings: None.

Manufacturer: Unk.

The pump on Rushey Green, Lewisham High St, has a commemorative plaque nearby, providing a bit of history and dating it to the 1830s. Photograph by Simon Cowper-Smith - thanks, Simon.

Markings: A panel reads: "Turner, 63, Dorset St Fleet St"

Manufacturer: GeorgeTurner.

Click here to
see pic I've
taken from www.geograph.
org.uk's site.

The large pump in Longford, Greater London, is one of only two surviving pumps installed by the Colnbrook Turnpike Trust, in order to keep the dust down on the road. (The other one is at Poyle, Bucks.)

Markings: None reported.

Manufacturer: Said to be made by Fowler & Co, of Lambeth.

A once-noble specimen fallen on hard times in Shoreditch, Greater London, now in need of a great deal of TLC. Photos supplied by Chris Williams - thanks, Toph.

Markings: A repeating coat of arms around the Pump Top.

Manufacturer: Unk.

Click here to see pic I've taken from www.geograph. org.uk's site.	By the Wolf Inn, Norwood Green, Southall. The plaque affixed to the pump is inscribed:
	THIS PUMP WAS ERECTED CIRCA 1860 AND RESTORED BY THE NORWOOD GREEN RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION IN 1982
	Markings: None other reported. Manufacturer: Unk.

The Queen Square, London, pump, with a single spout and minus its handle, but clearly of very similar pattern to the one in Bedford Row.

Markings: No maker's name but dated MDCCCXL - 1840.

Manufacturer: Probably "Thompson & ...".

	This fine old pump is secured behind padlocked gates in St. Paul's Alley, just to the North of St. Paul's Cathedral, London. It carries the inscription:
	ERECTED BY S^T FAITHS PARISH. 1819
	Markings: There is what seems to be a maker's name on the bottom right of the cast iron casing, but it's not decipherable in my photograph. Manufacturer: Unk.

	This pump in Windsor St, Uxbridge, Greater London, opposite the Tube Station, has an unusually large spout. Photos supplied by Paul Snelling - thanks, Paul. A plaque on its side reads:
	London Borough of Hillingdon Town Pump ------------ UXBRIDGE ------------ St. Margaret's Church
	And a nearby information notice states: Uxbridge was supplied with piped water until c.1800 when the Grand Junction Canal was built severing the old timber pipes. Wells then had to be dug in the Town Centre and this pump is the "last relic of the second stage of the attempts to supply the people of Uxbridge with water". The pump has been restored to its original location. It was unveiled by the Mayor, Councillor E. Hales on the 15th of December 1988.
	Markings: None. Manufacturer: Unk.

This one's by Johnston Pond on Johnston Road, Woodford Green, Greater London. The pump was renovated in 1991 - a local blacksmith made a new wrought iron handle based upon a photograph taken in 1910, and the replacement cap was made from concrete! Note the access door to the working barrel, secured by six bolts. Photo supplied by Simon Cowper-Smith - thanks, Simon.

Markings: None visible.

Manufacturer: Unk.

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