Monument record 1160/146/2 - Fountain formerly in centre of Market Square

A fountain was erected in 1863 on the site of a pump and gas lamp which had themselves been erected in 1805 and were subsequently removed to the bottom of Cheyne Walk. The fountain comprised drinking and jet fountains with a lamp pillar.

{2}The Pump is located in the centre of the Market Square;,

{1}Shown on map as fountain;

{4} Ornamental cast iron pump erected in 1805, replacing an earlier obelisk. In 1826, the pump was surmounted by a fluted cast iron column carrying a gas lamp. Both were moved in 1863 to the bottom of Cheyne Walk.

{5} The centre of the square had a splendid tall fountain of cast iron, erected in 1863 and somewhat like a green candelabrum. It was designed by Mr Atkinson. The commemorative panels have been preserved, and are at Abington Museum.

{6} Archaeological observation during the renovation of the Market Square identified the base of the fountain and an associated culvert immediately to the north. The original fountain was erected in 1863 to commemorate the marriage of prince Albert (later King Edward VII) to Princess Alexandra of Denmark. The fountain stood in the Market Square until 1962. The fountain base truncated the edge of an earlier cellar located immediately to the north. The base was octagonal and was 4.75m long and wide and constructed of concrete with a brick face.

<1> , MAP, (unchecked) (Map). SNN1199.

<2> Roper; Cole, 1807, Map of The Town of Northampton, (checked) (Map). SNN621.

<3> Whitmore R., 2002, The Northampton Women's Social and Political Union, 1912-1914, p.65-72 (unchecked) (Article). SNN102630.

<4> Thompson, B, 1914, The central ornaments of the Northampton Market Square (Article). SNN111878.

<5> Bailey, B, Pevsner, N, and Cherry, B, 2013, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p. 449 (Book). SNN111989.

<6> Clare, R, 2024, Post-Excavation Assessment and Updated Project Design for a programme of archaeological observation, investigation, recording, analysis, and publication at Market Square, Northampton Northamptonshire, April to November 2023, p. 53 (Report). SNN116794.

Record last edited

Apr 3 2025 9:29AM