Address:
Marble Arch
London
United Kingdom

Status: Working

Description: As well as bathing the iconic 181 year old arch in light, three fountains opposite the monument will burst into life for the first time in a decade, and will be able to spout water up to 20 metres into the air, as well as adding a splash of patriotic colour with their lights alternating from red to white to blue. And to top the makeover off a 27 foot high bronze sculpture of a drinking horse will also be positioned on the newly landscaped lawn to form part of a new rolling programme of modern art to attract more visitors. The restoration has been jointly funded by Westminster City Council and Transport for London with New West End Company, along with an additional £150,000 from English Heritage which maintains the historic Arch. Thames Water also repaired the fountains which had been turned into giant planters and filled with soil after falling into disuse 10 years ago. The fountains "can be turned off automatically in high wind". The wind speed is detected by the anemometer and turns off the fountain nearest the footpath first.

Position: The area in which Marble Arch now stands was where London's old Tyburn Gallows stood. With a history dating back to the 12th century, Tyburn was the hanging gallery of choice for the city's notorious criminals, petty thieves and political prisoners.

Additional details: Photographs courtesy of Exclusive Fountains. Finger jets aerated