Palmer Memorial Drinking Fountain

The Palmer Memorial Drinking Fountain is a drinking fountain with a protective canopy, built in 1904. It was presented in memory of Samuel Palmer of North Court, Hampstead, by his widow and family through the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association. The fountain is made of pink granite and features oak screens and a tiled pyramidal roof, designed in an Arts and Crafts/Gothic style.

It has an octagonal stepped base that supports pink granite buttressed openings, with four sides enclosed by oak screens. These screens have panels with cut-out diaper patterns up to half height, followed by turned balusters. The eaves have projecting beams that support the projecting base of the roof, which is adorned with fishscale tile bands and topped with a copper finial.

Inside, there is a central granite column that supports a vaulted ceiling, featuring projecting circular basins and remnants of original water jets. A plaque with unusual ornamental lettering states, "This fountain, together with the open space on which it is erected, was presented to the Borough of Hampstead for the public benefit, in memory of the late Samuel Palmer, of Northcourt, Hampstead, by his widow and family, 1904."

Historically, Samuel Palmer was associated with Huntley and Palmer's biscuits in Reading and built his family home around 1880 at 40 College Crescent, originally known as Northcourt.