Mrs Worley's fountain, behind The Old Prison, Grimston Road.

Museum Photography

Mrs Worley's fountain, behind The Old Prison, Grimston Road, St Albans. This fountain was designed by the architect George Gilbert Scott. He also designed St Pancras, the Albert Memorial, the restoration work done on St Stephen's church and the early restoration work done on the abbey. Mrs Worley was a wealthy widow who gave this drinking fountain to the town in the 1870's. Originally it was situated in front of St Albans Clock Tower on High Street. However as traffic increased it became too obstructive and was moved in the 1920's. It was split in two and went into private ownership, before being finally reunited and moved to its new location in Victoria Square.. The fountain is another example of a display of civic pride and philanthropy. Water supply was a problem in St Albans as it is situated on a hill. There was a pump where the present town hall is, known as The Blue Pump, but it was often out of action. There was also a pump near to St Peter's church, which had a flywheel that you had to crank up. There was another pump near to St Albans clock tower. The Worley fountain replaced this pump. These pumps were the town's main water supply, unless you had a well in your garden or could afford your own water supply. Things changed in 1833 with the start of mains water and then in 1910 a water pumping station was built at the bottom of Holywell Hill.

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Digital Camera

copyright notes 1

Behind St Albans Register Office (The Old Prison), Grimston Road /1 Victoria Square, Victoria Street St. Albans Herts AL13TF, UK.