The Fountains

A favourite meeting-​up spot, these fountains are a well-​known Bristol landmark and feel like they’re placed right at the very heart of the city, in the middle of the Hippodrome.
A couple of shallow pools are filled with several rows of fountains shooting out small archs of water, all in the same direction. And while they don’t have the history or grandeur that a lot of other fountains boast elsewhere, they’re attractive all the same, and I’m always disappointed if for some reason they’re not all flowing when I wander past.
The benches surrounding the fountain pools give office workers a break at lunchtime, and shoppers somewhere to rest their feet — while families often let their toddlers loose to paddle in the shallow pools during the summer. There’s usually a Fairtrade coffee stand nearby where you can pick up a drink and a snack, if you’re stopping for a while.
Watch out for the odd times when someone predictably pours a sneaky bottle of bubble bath into the fountains, triggering an eruption of foamy bubbles!

At the bottom of Park Street and just around the corner, you find a large open space bordered by the Hippodrome, a load of recruitment consultants and a few commuter cafes. In the centre lies a strange area, with a large red sculpture and several ‘fountains’.
They aren’t fountains, they don’t do much more than a burst pipe! Not really the spectacular city landmark I was hoping for.
I suppose they sort of symbolise where the water once was in the Bristol Shipping days, and do provide a central space for busy city people to relax. But why didn’t they take a leaf out of college green’s book and plant so grass? Would be far better.

These fountains are the absolute Marmite in terms of local Bristol landmarks; you’ll either love them or hate them. Personally, I love them.
It’s a relaxing lunchtime getaway in the middle of the hectic city centre. In summer you’ll find the benches around the fountains over-​crowded with office workers just looking for an ounce of calm in their hectic day.
The Fountains aren’t the most elaborate or exciting you’ll find in Britain, and at £40 million you may have been expecting more for your money, but it’s certainly better than the concrete paradise that preceded it. So if you have ten minutes to spare, it’s the ideal place to chill out.

The Fountains are located at the heart of Bristol right next to the Floating Harbour. The Fountains have come under a lot of criticism from both locals and tourists alike. Some have likened it to ’20 men peeing’ and others have simply said it was a waste of £4million.
I however really like them! I think the whole area has a feel of sophistication and simplicity about it. On a sunny day, the light bounces off the water and the whole area is really very calming (perfect for de-​stressing on a lunch break). Additionally you can quickly get to the Floating Harbour and many restaurants by foot or public transport. The area has many seats and bins meaning its a good place for a snack or picnic. Furthermore it is always very clean and tidy.
Word of warning to those (ahem students) who think its a good idea to pour buckets of fairy liquid into the fountains, you do get arrested! Amusing and fun as it may be watching dozens of commuters dodge the snowballs of bubbles for days on end, you do get in a lot of trouble if caught!