Somerset House Simon Leigh
London's best fountainside cafés
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By Zoe Kamen
Updated: Wed Jul 13 2011 -
A snack, a drink and a paddle - fountains make alfresco refreshments all the more refreshing, whether you get wet yourself or just watch others splashing about. Here's Time Out's guide to the best cafés with fountains in London
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Central Bar at Southbank Centre
Queen Elizabeth Hall, SE1 8XX (020 7960 4200/www.southbankcentre.co.uk)
Artist Jeppe Hein’s playful fountain on Festival Terrace is shooting skywards for the fourth year running. It’s a fun diversion to watch children and adults frolicking, caged in by walls of water. Head to Central Bar along the terrace or up to the green rooftop garden of Elizabeth Hall, which overlooks the fountain. Nearby, under Hungerford Bridge, Pitt Cue Co serves meaty feasts of Southern US soul food.
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Courtyard Café at Royal Academy of Arts
Burlington House, W1J 0BD (020 7300 8000/www.royalacademy.org.uk)
The scenic courtyard at the Royal Academy is a haven from Piccadilly. Grab a sandwich from the café kiosk during weekdays and cool aching feet in one of the 12 fountains bubbling up from the granite. On Fridays and Saturdays, a bar is open until 10pm.
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Gallery Mess at Duke of York Square
Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Rd, SW3 4SQ (020 7730 8135/www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk)
Thin streams of water spurt from the ground in this square off the King’s Road. For a cultured lunch, the Saatchi Gallery Mess Café/Bar has a terrace overlooking the old parade ground. Buy self-assembly snacks at the weekly Saturday market. Read more
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Garden Café at the Victoria & Albert Museum
V&A, Cromwell Rd, SW7 2RL (020 7942 2000/www.vam.ac.uk)
Sheltered from the wind in the centre of the V&A, the John Madejski Garden has a reflective pool. As long as you don’t disturb the calm too much, you’re welcome to have a paddle. The Benugo Café sells drinks, ice cream and coffee. Read more
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Lido Café at Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain
Hyde Park, W2 2UH (020 7706 7098/www.companyofcooks.com)
On warmer days, this circular fountain is filled with both adults and children playing in the chilly water. The nearby Lido Café overlooks the Serpentine, an altogether calmer stretch of water, and serves full meals, drinks and organic ices. Read more
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Strada at More London Place
2 More London Place, Tooley St, SE1 2JP (020 7403 8321/www.strada.co.uk)
The river backdrop of this new development, featuring Tower Bridge and City Hall, make this fountain look like a film set. The cacophony of revelry as five banks of fountains shoot skyward, and bathers rush to the highest group of spouts, adds to the surreal holiday feel on a sunny afternoon. Strada pizzeria has the best seats overlooking the whole terrace and watery spectacle – and you can just have a coffee and snack. Read more
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Tom’s Deli at Somerset House
Strand, WC2R 1LA (7845 4600/www.somersethouse.org.uk)
Fifty-five fountain jets play to their own orchestrated pattern soaking the unwary. Check when they’ll be on during the busy summer season of events and seek sustenance from Tom Aikens’ deli either inside Somerset House or outside with seats in the courtyard.
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2 comments
How about the Cafe in Victoria Park? Duck Pond with a Fountain?!
Very good call on the More London Place location, which is fabulous - but surely Dim T, next door to Strada, should be recommended instead? Yummy dim sum and different teas, beers and cocktails. Our favourite place in the area.