Gentlemens Underground Lavatory And Above Ground Structures: Ventilation Shaft And Railings And 4 Bollards And Cattle Trough

This gentlemen's public lavatory, built around 1900, includes above-ground structures such as a ventilation shaft, railings, four bollards, and a cattle trough. It was constructed following the 1891 Public Health/London Act by the local authority, with fittings provided by Finch and Co. of Lambeth. The horse trough, attributed to the Metropolitan Drinking Trough Association, may date from around 1880.

Inside, the lavatory features original white tiled walls, ten urinal stalls with white porcelain bases, and black marble modesty screens adorned with ceramic roundels inscribed "B Finch and Co Limited, Sanitary Engineers, Lambeth SE." There are painted wooden cubicles and a multi-coloured mosaic floor. An attendant's kiosk is present, featuring wooden panelling and a high-level cast iron water tank, with each of the three glass panels having a generous bevelled edge.

At the top of the steps, ornamental cast iron railings with spear railings and a scroll design are complemented by octagonal corner piers with moulded bases and caps. The ventilation shaft rises about 20 feet and is made of cast iron, topped with a crown-shaped moulding and a panelled square plinth inscribed "B Finch and Co Ltd Lambeth." Adjacent to the railings is a rectangular stone cattle drinking trough, which is inscribed "METROPOLITAN DRINKING FOUNTAIN & CATTLE TROUGH ASSOCIATION" on a lower dog trough, flanked by two curbing stones.