Spoil your inner child by splashing in one of London's top play wells.
1. Emerging rooms, Southbank Center
Jacob Hein's aquatic structure, Appearing Rooms, which was first installed in 2006 and has since returned almost every year, has become the great father of London's play fountain. Jets send water walls high into the air, creating "spaces"; they then disappear as fast as they appear.
For some people, Appearing Rooms is an art that caresses the chin: the temporary versus the permanent, which plays with our perception of sculpture and architecture and conceptual minimalism.
For children, it is about getting wet as often as possible, even if it is not a "fountain weather".
2. Diana Memorial Fountain, Hyde Park
The Diana Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park is made up of 545 pieces of granite and forms an oval "brook" in the surrounding grass.
There are three bridges over which you can get into the middle without getting your feet wet. But it really is a great place where children (and adults) can paddle quiet pool; and turmoil in the troubled waters.
Do not worry too much about the symbolism, but be careful not to fall over: Three people were hospitalized after falling over at the opening of the well in 2004. instead of entering the monument.
3. Fountains on the Granary, King's Cross
Granary Square has 1,080 individually controlled and illuminated jets of water. The result is a brilliant splash park for kids of all ages. the perfect way to cool off on a warm day.
First of all, they start off quite mellow in the morning and then become more exuberant during the day. After dark, their personalities change again, adding colors to seemingly random patterns.
4. Other London fountains
Take a straight-laced and heavily Carbuncle Cup-nominated London development with a silly name (More London? Is the rest of the city somehow Fewer London?) Add 200 play fountains and several other innovative water features.
The result is a strange mix of suits on mobile phones marching between meetings, and mothers from South London shouting at wet, squeaky kids. It's always fun to look for newcomers / tourists caught by the deceptively wet "water banks" - though at least the danger of "The Rill" is now eliminated.
5. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Fountain, Stratford
Head south to the Olympic Park to find the waterworks wells. 195 individual jets create water walls in a kind of labyrinth for spraying and cooling.
Remember: the fountains are not available on important days of the event.
6. John Madejski Garden Fountain, V & A Museum
In the courtyard of the V & A is a soothing elliptical pool with occasional fountain jets of water.
It's a fantastic place to sit and enjoy the hustle and bustle of the museum - and on hot days, it provides a very challenging, secluded paddling pool.
7. Edmond J. Safra Brunnenhof, Somerset House
The 55 jets that make up the playful Edmond J Safra Fountain Court at Somerset House are not always available to walk around as the courtyard is often used for special events such as movie screenings.
Check the Somerset House website before you visit to avoid disappointment / homecoming without getting your feet wet.
8. Russell Square Gardens fountain
The pretty garden at Russell Square in Bloomsbury received a fountain when it was rebuilt in 2002.
It gushes from the middle of the square: small, yes, but still a perfect opportunity for paddling for children and adults.
9. Fountains at Leicester Square
After some spruce trees (in 2012 and 2014), Leicester Square now has a beautiful play well surrounding the statue of Shakespeare in the center. Cool off as you watch movie stars across the street swag as celebrities sweat in a tuxedo.
Did we miss any? Let us know in the comments below.
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