Victoria Fountain, Brighton

The Victoria Fountain, an iconic landmark in Brighton, stands in the heart of the southern enclosure of the Old Steine Gardens. This 32-foot-tall fountain features a large cast-iron pool adorned with egg-and-dart moldings around its rim. Historically, the pool was filled with water lilies and goldfish, creating a serene and picturesque scene. At its center, sandstone blocks, discovered during trench work in 1823, support three intricately intertwined dolphins, which in turn hold a shallow, cast-iron basin. Above this, two columns rise, supporting an additional basin, completing the fountain's elegant design.

The fountain was privately commissioned by John Cordy Burrows after Brighton town commissioners chose not to commemorate Queen Victoria's 1837 accession with a public fountain. Burrows hired architect Amon Henry Wilds to design it, funding the project with his own money, public subscriptions, and proceeds from a bazaar, concert, and theatre event.

The dolphin sculptures, central to the fountain's design, were crafted by William Pepper, a local sculptor from a family renowned for their wood carving and sculpting skills. The castings for the fountain were produced by the Eagle Foundry on Gloucester Road, Brighton, operated by John Yearsley and Robert Williams, who also installed the fountain.

The Victoria Fountain was officially inaugurated on May 25, 1846, coinciding with Queen Victoria's twenty-seventh birthday. The grand ceremony featured a royal salute fired from the pier head, synchronized with the fountain's initial operation, and was accompanied by music composed specifically for the occasion, including "Fountain Quadrilles" by Charles Coote, Burrows' son-in-law. The day's celebrations concluded with fireworks, and local businesses closed early to participate in the festivities.

Victoria Fountain was designated a Grade II listed structure on October 13, 1952, recognizing its national importance and special interest.