PHOTOGRAPHIC SURVEY REPORT: DOLPHIN FOUNTAIN, SYSTON PARK, SYSTON, LINCOLNSHIRE

A photographic building survey and historical research was undertaken by Allen Archaeology on behalf of Scorer and Hawkins as part of a management plan set out for Syston Park by Natural England. The Dolphin fountain, a former drinking fountain, is situated within Syston Park. The structure was made part of the landscape surrounding original Syston Hall. It dates back to at least 1820s although it does show up on an earlier plan from 1815 of the Thorold Estate. Although the original hall was largely demolished in the 1820s the parkland with lake and fountain still remain. The fountain is Grade II listed and built of ashlar stone (possibly artificial Coade stone) with a hipped stone roof with a flat top. The urn which used to crown the top has been removed as has the beaker that was attached to the drinking basin. The fountain with its later 19th century pumphouse has been in disuse since c.1960s. The bronze dolphin and the leadlined stone basin show heavy build up of lime and lichen. When the pumphouse was installed it also caused some damage to the northern side of the fountain.