S t o u r h e a d

S. t   P e t e r ' s  P u m p

St. Peter's Pump was a medieval conduit. It was erected in Bristol in 1474 above St. Edith's Well, at the junction of Peter's Street and Dolphin Street.

It played an important part of the public water supply. But in 1768, along with the High Cross, It was removed by acts of parliament and donated to Henry Hoare's garden at Stourhead. A large rocky grotto dome was built over the only remaining spring in Six Well's Bottom, the source of the River Stour. On completion of this solid base, Henry proudly set in place his newly acquired 'garden ornament' at its summit.

An impeccably well dressed affair, it is a pillared hexagonal pinnacle. It is finely topped off with a smaller, hexagonal tapering obelisk finishing to a copper cross. Sitting in an arched niche on each of its six sides is a small detailed statue of various English Kings and Queens. Each has a different decorative relief set below its feet. They are: King Edward 6th, Queen Elizabeth 1, King James 1 and his Queen, Ann, King Charles and his Queen.

It could be described as a miniature relative of the Bristol High Cross built in 1373, as its appearance is strikingly similar.

The pump's grotto base mound is about 15ft high. It is made of pebbles and very sharp rocks, perhaps to deter anyone foolish enough to want to climb to the structure on top. Although on closer inspection, minor graffiti can be seen on one of the columns. The rear of the mound has a large recess visitors could possibly take shelter in, should the weather turn bad whilst they were heading up from the gardens to view Alfred's Tower.  

  

The mound's 'foot' at the front, is a carpet of pebbles. The circular entrance to the spring below can still be seen, although it is now mostly filled in.

 

The whole structure is now a grade 1 listed building. Certainly well worth visiting if you have the legs for the walk! Nearby at the edge of the woods is a plaque erected by the National Trust. It explains the history of the pump, and of this location's links to the medieval deer park's boundary and the Stourton family coat of arms.

 

 

             

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