Doulton Fountain (Glasgow Green)

Standing 46 feet tall and 70 feet wide, the Doulton Fountain is the world's largest terracotta fountain—yet remains surprisingly unknown even to many Glaswegians. Created for the 1888 International Exhibition, it originally stood near Kelvingrove before being moved to Glasgow Green. The fountain depicts Queen Victoria surrounded by figures representing Australia, India, Canada, and South Africa, reflecting Victorian imperial attitudes while showcasing extraordinary craftsmanship. Each terracotta figure and decorative element was hand-made at the Doulton factory. After decades of deterioration, a £4 million restoration completed in 2005 returned the fountain to its original glory. The restoration team carefully cleaned and repaired thousands of individual pieces, revealing rich colors and intricate details invisible for generations. Visit at dusk when the fountain is illuminated—the terracotta glows warmly, and the intricate Victorian detailing becomes magical. It's a complex historical object: both a remarkable example of ceramic art and a reminder of empire's legacy.