H  o  b  s  o  n  `s
C  o  n  d  u  i  t








This conduit head was originally erected on top of a conduit that was formed by redirecting a stream from Nine Wells near Shelford to the then town of Cambridge in 1610. At the conduit head, the diverted stream then split up into various directions.

Photograph by Dr Stephen Hiles of Bournemouth

Thomas Hobson
One of the people involved in the scheme behind the diversion of the stream was a Thomas Hobson, who had a business carrying the mail to London and back. He also hired out the horses - when not in use for the mail coaches - to students of the university.
However the students soon realized that some horses were faster than others and consequently would often request these particular animals over the slower examples.


Hobson`s Choice
Fearing that certain horses would soon become overworked, a strict rotational system was devised, that the next horse for hire would be the one currently tied up at the stable entrance, regardless of what the hirer requested.
This 'take it or leave it ' rule hence became known as Hobson`s Choice. This being a British term of speech for a situation where you have no choice but to accept what is offered to you.
The conduit head was later moved slightly in 1855 from its place in the market place after a bad fire there, but still kept the name of 'Hobson`s Conduit' from one of its originators.

Visiting:-
The structure can be found not far from the junction of Lensfield Road and Trumpington Road in Brookside, just south of the city centre.

Co-Ords: 545150 257590 / TL 451575  

Bookmark this Page    

Reproduction of part or all of the contents of any of these pages is prohibited except to the extent permitted below.
These pages may be downloaded onto a hard disk or printed for your personal use without alterations. Any other use needs consent of the web site owner Mr C Curtis :- see Contact Page. These pages may not be included in any other work or publication, or be distributed or copied for any commercial purpose except as stated above.