Classical Cascade, Twickenham, Surrey
The fountain design for the Oceanides (known locally as ‘Naked Ladies’) fountain at York House in Twickenham was created in 1906. The statues were originally carved in Italy and bought by Whitaker Wright for his estate of follies Witley Park in Surrey. They were never unpacked from their shipping crates until they were sold to Sir Ratan Tata for his house in Twickenham. For Sir Ratan Tata to create the water feature design it had to be guessed how the ladies should be arranged as there was no original fountain design to reference.
In 1924 the grounds of York House became the property of Twickenham Council who opened them as a public park. Richmond, Wandsworth and Westminster councils combined have recently had the Oceanides fountain fully restored using fountain and water feature designer’s Fountainhead Ltd (www.fountainheadlimited.com) for the water engineering and Stonewest Ltd (View website) for the stonework.
