London’s best fountains

The nights are sticky and your commute feels like an incarceration within a metal canister heading straight to hell. So jump out of the frying pan and into one of London’s fountains. Here are five of the coolest
Big splash: playtime at Somerset House (Picture: Nicholas Bailey/Rex)
Lucy Brisbane22 July 2014

Somerset House

In winter this iconic setting plays host to an ice rink but in the summer kids sprint through its 55 waterjets as parents watch from a (dry) distance, iPhone at the ready to Instagram the frolics for posterity.

The Strand, WC2, somersethouse.org.uk

Granary Square

In the shadow of St Martin’s Granary, this recently redeveloped area has become a most in-demand spot for City types lounging in the sun, alongside creatively dressed art students and confused tourists. The fountain creates quite a splash.

King’s Cross, N1, kingscross.co.uk

Olympic Park

Head east to Stratford for a dance at the Queen’s newest park and its interactive fountain — the powerful jets are arranged in topsy-turvy swirls.

Appearing Rooms

The hordes on the South Bank can bring one out in a clammy sweat. So keep your cool in the Appearing Rooms fountain, which rises from the ground to create moving rooms from walls of water. It returns as part of the Southbank Centre’s Festival of Love.

Queen Elizabeth Hall, SE1, southbankcentre.co.uk

City Hall

If you wait long enough, you might just see Boris being caught off guard here. It’s full of suits during the week but is most serene on Saturdays.

110 The Queen’s Walk, SE1

Outdoor fun in London

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