Drinking fountains in London

[Anonymous]

OK, I realize this is a very niche, specific concern. But hello… Where are drinking fountains in London? Is this a European thing? (I thought I read that Rome has water fountains all over the city.) And it’s hot, for us Americans trying to adjust to not much A/C or ice! Any tips to share as to how/where our family can refill our water bottles while out and about here?

[Anonymous]

Yeah Rome has a system of public fountains that has a really cool history- the modern system started 150 years ago, but the basic concept dates back to Roman times.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasone

Paris has a smaller system

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallace_fountain

In London many restaurants and shops have free access taps.

https://www.refill.org.uk/refill-london/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah Rome has a system of public fountains that has a really cool history- the modern system started 150 years ago, but the basic concept dates back to Roman times.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasone

Paris has a smaller system

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallace_fountain

In London many restaurants and shops have free access taps.

https://www.refill.org.uk/refill-london/

Looks like the map is available on this app.

https://www.refill.org.uk/

[Anonymous]

Also looks like any Starbucks, Costa or Gregg's has refill for free

[Anonymous]

Here in London now and yes, it’s quite hot, but I’ve noticed that all of the large train stations have water bottle refill stations. They’re clearly signed at parks and museums, too. I haven’t had a day of being far enough from a refill that I ran out of water, and it’s been in the mid to high 80s.

If you have been without water at specific places, maybe list them and we could have ideas on what you’ve missed? Some signed park refill stations look more like playground foot cleaning stations I’ve seen in the US or hose spigots so I wouldn’t have noticed them if I wasn’t right next to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here in London now and yes, it’s quite hot, but I’ve noticed that all of the large train stations have water bottle refill stations. They’re clearly signed at parks and museums, too. I haven’t had a day of being far enough from a refill that I ran out of water, and it’s been in the mid to high 80s.

If you have been without water at specific places, maybe list them and we could have ideas on what you’ve missed? Some signed park refill stations look more like playground foot cleaning stations I’ve seen in the US or hose spigots so I wouldn’t have noticed them if I wasn’t right next to them.

This is helpful, thanks! At the train stations, where are the bottle refill stations?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here in London now and yes, it’s quite hot, but I’ve noticed that all of the large train stations have water bottle refill stations. They’re clearly signed at parks and museums, too. I haven’t had a day of being far enough from a refill that I ran out of water, and it’s been in the mid to high 80s.

If you have been without water at specific places, maybe list them and we could have ideas on what you’ve missed? Some signed park refill stations look more like playground foot cleaning stations I’ve seen in the US or hose spigots so I wouldn’t have noticed them if I wasn’t right next to them.

This is helpful, thanks! At the train stations, where are the bottle refill stations?

So I just went through Victoria, and the one there was by Boots and closer to the train platforms than the shopping arcade. It was marked with a big pink background that made it clear it was a refill point but I can’t remember the logo or words. It was built into a pillar coming down from the ceiling. I find that any railway employees are helpful in a way that I don’t encounter at home in the U.S. so definitely ask at other stations.

We were at the Tate yesterday and there were drinking fountains and refill stations downstairs near the cafe and restrooms.

[Anonymous]

https://www.london.gov.uk/programmes-strategies/environment-and-climate-change/waste-and-recycling/single-use-plastic-bottles/drinking-fountains-london

This map is helpful- I saw one in the wild so it’s at least slightly accurate.

[Anonymous]

OP here. PPs, thanks so much for this info. I really appreciate that no one has responded with snark or mockery. I’m hot and I’ve got two kids to take care of. (I’m putting ice cubes on EVERYTHING once we get back!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. PPs, thanks so much for this info. I really appreciate that no one has responded with snark or mockery. I’m hot and I’ve got two kids to take care of. (I’m putting ice cubes on EVERYTHING once we get back!)

We were just in a a couple of airbnbs and had to buy bags of ice at the grocery store because the freezers don't come with ice cube trays since it isn't an expected amenity in England.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OK, I realize this is a very niche, specific concern. But hello… Where are drinking fountains in London? Is this a European thing? (I thought I read that Rome has water fountains all over the city.) And it’s hot, for us Americans trying to adjust to not much A/C or ice! Any tips to share as to how/where our family can refill our water bottles while out and about here?

You couldn't pay me to use a public fountain in London these days.
Refill at hotel or offer a tip to do so at restaurants. Or buy a gallon container of water and refill your bottles with it.

[Anonymous]

I'm French, and I wouldn't use a traditional water fountain. We're used to carrying water bottles when it's hot. Global warming is increasing much faster than Europe's capacity to build air-conditioned buildings. It's just too expensive to retrofit all the old buildings, and even new housing developments don't want to pay for central air. We're heading towards disaster, honestly. Today schools needed to close, because they don't have A/C and it was too hot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OK, I realize this is a very niche, specific concern. But hello… Where are drinking fountains in London? Is this a European thing? (I thought I read that Rome has water fountains all over the city.) And it’s hot, for us Americans trying to adjust to not much A/C or ice! Any tips to share as to how/where our family can refill our water bottles while out and about here?

Um, like, you don't travel to there in summer months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm French, and I wouldn't use a traditional water fountain. We're used to carrying water bottles when it's hot. Global warming is increasing much faster than Europe's capacity to build air-conditioned buildings. It's just too expensive to retrofit all the old buildings, and even new housing developments don't want to pay for central air. We're heading towards disaster, honestly. Today schools needed to close, because they don't have A/C and it was too hot.

No to trad water fountains! Don't create more issues unknown to you with those water fountain. It was crazy at Wimbledon today