Features / Centre
Neptune’s latest sea change
Currently surrounded by fencing, the statue of Neptune has been an ever-present figure in Bristol for centuries.
The statue of the Roman god of the sea and freshwater was sculpted in 1723 by John Randall and since then has been positioned at six locations across our city.
Since 1999, it has been located on the Centre where it remains as remodelling work continues around its pedestal.
is needed now More than ever
It was first situated on Temple Street, appropriately close to Temple conduit, then a vital source of freshwater for people living this side of Bristol Bridge.
It was then located on two streets that no longer exist: Beer Lane in 1787 and Church Lane in 1794.
The building of Victoria Street saw it moved to Victoria Street’s junction with Temple Street in 1872 outside the King’s Head pub.
All four of these locations were on the course of the water conduit which was fed from a spring in Totterdown.
In May 1949, Neptune was moved to its fifth home at what was previously known as the Bridgehead at St Augustine’s Reach; now the site of the Cascade Steps.
Then just before the turn of the millennium, it was moved once more to its present site on the Centre – still above the route of the River Frome – where it looks serenely down on the fountains which are in the process of being ripped up.
Neptune will soon be looking over a very different Centre – photo: Martin Booth
Main photo: Mersina Booth
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