Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom Scotland Glasgow Doulton Fountain
AO Edited

Doulton Fountain

The largest terracotta fountain in the world, built to commemorate Britain’s Victorian achievements.

Glasgow, Scotland

Added By
Global Sightseer
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Doulton Fountain   Chris Phan
  rbenn250 / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Canada   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Doulton Fountain plaque   Global Sightseer / Atlas Obscura User
Black Watch Highlander   Global Sightseer / Atlas Obscura User
Doulton Fountain   Michael Gallacher
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

As the centerpiece of a grand international event, the Doulton Fountain was designed to impress— a showcase of Victorian Britain’s achievements in science, art, and industry.

The fountain became one of the most popular attractions at the International Exhibition, which ran from May to November 1888 and attracted around six million visitors. Glasgow at the time was the British Empire’s second city. The exhibition was designed to rival the famous exhibitions which had previously been held in London. The fountain was a focal point of the event and commemorates the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887.

Depicted in the design of the fountain are Britain’s four former colonies: Australia, Canada, India, and South Africa. Four sentries, one on each side, represent the regiments of Scotland, England, Ireland, and the Royal Navy.

The design of the fountain by artist Arthur Edward Pearce was influenced by the ornate French Renaissance style. The statue was built by the Royal Doulton Company, a renowned English company that has produced tableware, ornaments, and stoneware since the early 1800s.

The fountain was first erected in Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Park for the 1888 International Exhibition. Then in 1890, the whole fountain was transported two and a half miles to a new location on Glasgow Green. It was then moved for a second time in 2004 to outside the front entrance of the People’s Palace.

The highly decorative fountain is made out of red terracotta bricks built around an iron framework. Terracotta was chosen because it could be worked with quickly and the detailed sculptures were easily created. It is also a durable material and weather-resistant, though it is susceptible to frost damage.

The Doulton Fountain is the largest fountain ever constructed of terracotta. The fountain’s height from its base to the apex is 46 feet, and the base has a diameter of 70 feet.

A lightning strike damaged the queen Victoria sculpture at the top tier of the fountain. It was difficult to restore as the queen's statue molds had been broken. The queen is dressed as the empress of India in a lace dress, wearing the imperial crown and holding an orb and scepter.

A £2 million restoration was carried out in 2005 to original specifications. 

Related Tags

Fountains Design Architecture

Know Before You Go

The fountains are switched off during the winter months to prevent damage caused by cold weather.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Scotland: Beyond the Haggis

Smoked seafood, single malt whisky, and warm hospitality.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

Global Sightseer

Edited By

SEANETTA, rbenn250, jonathancarey, jdev22

  • SEANETTA
  • rbenn250
  • jonathancarey
  • jdev22

Published

July 30, 2021

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://glasgowuk.org/doultonfountain.htm
Doulton Fountain
Glasgow Green
Glasgow, Scotland, G40 1AT
United Kingdom
55.851671, -4.236207
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Templeton on the Green

Glasgow, Scotland

miles away

Nelson Monument Glasgow

Glasgow, Scotland

miles away

The Drying Green

Glasgow, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Glasgow

Glasgow

Scotland

Places 90
Stories 4

Nearby Places

Templeton on the Green

Glasgow, Scotland

miles away

Nelson Monument Glasgow

Glasgow, Scotland

miles away

The Drying Green

Glasgow, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Glasgow

Glasgow

Scotland

Places 90
Stories 4

Related Places

  • Fontana dei Libri

    Rome, Italy

    Fontana dei Libri

    A small but very fascinating fountain in the center of Rome with four books and a deer carved.

  • Trying to show the different types of symbolic jets.

    Vienna, Austria

    Hochstrahlbrunnen

    Along the edge of this fountain are 365 smaller fountains that represent the days of the year.

  • Kothari Pyau

    Mumbai, India

    Kothari Pyau

    Constructed in 1923, this is one of several heritage drinking fountains across Mumbai.

  • The Dolphin Fountain

    Melbourne, Australia

    The Dolphin Fountain

    Somewhat controversial when first unveiled, this gathering of sea creatures has become a hidden gem.

  • Watergate Fountain

    Washington, D.C.

    Watergate Fountain

    The word "Watergate" will forever be associated with the infamous scandal in 1972, but this fountain is famous in its own right.

  • Rosalie Sharp Centre for Design in the iconic Toronto cityscape.

    Toronto, Ontario

    Rosalie Sharp Centre for Design

    This buzzy, award-winning building hovers 85 feet above the ground on a dozen colorful stilts.

    Sponsored by Destination Toronto
  • Mumbai, India

    Flora Fountain

    An iconic fountain dedicated to the Roman goddess Flora stands in the heart of Mumbai.

  • The Carillon tower.

    Quezon City, Philippines

    UP Carillon Tower’s Original Bells

    Student protesters used these bells as symbols of defiance in the early 1970s.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.