Fountains are as old as civilisation. They reflect the many and varied needs of society throughout the ages. They originated in the simple provision of an essential element - water - in arid places and they evolved into manifestations of capricious delight and extravagant displays of wealth and power. This book describes the development of fountains and water features in Britain and illustrates many different aspects of them, from mythical allusion, through private pleasure gardens to contemporary civic display.