Bubble Fountains
Bubble fountains are an extremely effective means of cooling an area of the garden using the minimum of water. Throughout the ages, designers have not only introduced water in to ancient courtyards to cool and humidify any communal area, but they have acknowledged valuable cooling and calming effect of the sound of running water. Global warming is all around us and we have noticed for ourselves that consecutive summers are becoming both hotter and drier where we live. But there is something both very cooling and relaxing to come home and take a glass of wine and sit beside a bubble fountain.
    The first bubble fountain arose from the remains of a 3000 gallon Victorian tank discovered in the garden. After the tank was excavated cleaned and checked for any leaks. A layer of steel mesh was installed resting upon lengths of supportive drainage pipe. Large pieces of slate were then laid over the mesh. A small output pump, under 100W, produces the bubble through the middle.
At the end of the long pipe where it emerges above the slate a brass gecko fitting has been attached, another has been attached to the actual bubble fitting. This makes it a very simple, quick quarter turn to add or remove the bubble fitting and substitute a length of hose which also has a gecko fitting. In seconds the 3000 gallon bubble tank can become a 3000 gallon irrigation supply.
At Winsford this tank has become the initial collection point for all rainwater coming off the rooves, from where it is distributed to our much larger Victorian rainwater storage tanks. This is a clear example of how Victorian design has been adapted for the 21st century and continues to help create one of the most luxurious gardens open to the public when their is a summer drought that might otherwise affect the garden.
  The second bubble fountain at Winsford has been constructed inside the gazebo and offers a very pleasant retreat on hot days. The table top above the bubble fountain is ideal for picnics, teas etc.
The final photograph was taken in 2006 through one of the gazebo windows with the table bubble fountain just visible.
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