Location: Lower Park, Telegraph Hill, Brockley

Temperature: Cool enough to refresh after the walk up to it but not so cold as to make my teeth hurt (I have sensitive teeth)

Taste: Sweet. Like tap water.

View: The photo doesn’t do it justice, this fountain is on top of Telegraph Hill with views out all across South London. A lovely place to stop and test your London geography knowledge.

Clientele: The only people I met by the fountain were two young children and their dad, sitting happily watching the dog that played excitedly nearby - overjoyed by the free tap water no doubt.

Ambience: A wonderfully quiet and peaceful location where you can spy on the busy city life whilst relaxing on the grass. And what better place for a water fountain to quench your thirst than on top of hill? Just perfect.

Reviewed by: Jo

4/5

Location: Whittington Park, London, N19 4RS

Temperature: 73 degrees Fahrenheit. Fact.

Taste: Delicious.

View: There wasn’t much of a view. And the view of the fountain itself is akin to a urinal.

Clientele: Footballers, some very fit, might I add. Also some mums and dads taking small children in and out to use the facilities.

Ambience: Located inside a park clubhouse (opening hours 7am-10pm) this fountain must be one of the most drunk from fountains in North London. A steady stream of athletes, animals and all sorts are constantly popping in and out. The lighting is bright and the space is open thanks to the building design and support from Islington Council.

Reviewed by: Katee

3/5

Location: Finsbury Park, London, N4.

Temperature: Cold as melted ice.

Taste: Crisp and clean, with a hint of earth.

View: Despite appearances, most notably the algae-like green substance, the view is memorable. To the left you have the park covered by a canopy of trees and to the right you have a maintenance shed. The best part about the view is the aptly placed ‘Drinking Water’ sign above the tap. Just in case there was any confusion about the suitability of this water source.

Clientele: Four-legged mainly, with exception of footballers, tennis players and runners filling up their water bottles.

Ambience: There is something very special about this tap. It’s Finsbury Park’s best kept secret. And if you’re one of the lucky ones to know it’s location, you will be pleasantly surprised by the quality of this water and the friendliness of its punters.

Reviewed by: Katee

4/5

Location: Parliament Hill, Parliament Hill Fields, London NW5 1QR, United Kingdom

Temperature: According to the Amercian College of Sports Medicine: It is recommended that ingested fluids be cooler than ambient temperature [between 15 and 22C]”. I have absolutely no idea what the temperature of this fountain water is, but drinking it produces a thirst quenchingly pleasant feeling in one’s throat.

Taste: London tap classique, unadulterated, pure and simple.

View: A modest little number, function rather than form is the order of the day. It stands at the centre of a crossroads - literally, but who knows, perhaps metaphorically too. One road leads to the tennis courts, another to the running track, one up to the top of the hill where they fly all the kites and you get a spectacular view of London, the other to Highgate ponds where insane people sometimes swim in the depths of winter. Directly in front of the fountain is the HQ of the park authorities so if, for some unfathomable reason, you run into trouble trying to drink water from a water fountain then help is close at hand.

Clientele: Take a fair proportion of Hampstead and Highgate mothers and babies, throw in wandering, strolling, meandering folk from elsewhere in Camden, mix thoroughly with a large dash of Hampstead Heath tourists chattering in exotic tongues, sprinkle in some park staff and the odd lone muttering nutter, and you’ve got the picture.

Ambience: 19th Century English businessman and writer Walter Bagehot once noted that “A Parliament is nothing less than a big meeting of more or less idle people.” If he were alive today he might update it to: “A Parliament Hill Fields Drinking Fountain is nothing less than a little meeting place for more or less idle people.”. But the chances are, he wouldn’t.

Reviewed by: Andy

4/5

Location: Coram’s Field, 93 Guildford Street, City of London, WC1N 1DN

Temperature: Water was moderate to cool in temperature. It was a hot day (approx 21 degrees Celsius) and I found the water cool (but not cold) and it was refreshing.

Taste: Tasted clean and fresh- pretty neutral, which is what you want from your water!

View: The view wasn’t great. A grubby wall in fact.

Clientele: Coram’s is a children’s park, meaning that adults can only go in if accompanied by children (I think my youthful looks got me in!). So the place was PACKED full of families and kids. The restricted access is good if you are in the park with your family but not so good if you are passing by the area and wanted to pop in for a quick drink.

Ambience: There was a great ambience in the park. It was a sunny day during the school holidays so everyone was making the most of it. The drinking fountain was a little bit away from the main area so it was quiet around it. It is just off some sports pitches, which means it is well located for a drink when you are thirsty after running around.

Reviewed by: Liz

3/5