Hobson's Conduit monument

Hobson's Conduit monument in Cambridge is an octagonal stone structure at the corner of Lensfield Road and Trumpington Road, just south of the city centre. It began life as a fountain in the market and now stands beside a busy junction, a reminder of the seventeenth-century scheme that brought clean water into town.

What is Hobson's Conduit?

The conduit is a watercourse built between 1610 and 1614 to carry spring water from Nine Wells, near Great Shelford, into Cambridge. One aim was to flush the King's Ditch, a fouled channel blamed for outbreaks of plague. In 1614 the supply reached a new fountain on Market Hill. It is named for Thomas Hobson, a prosperous Cambridge carrier who backed the project and left land in his will to pay for its upkeep. He also gave English the phrase "Hobson's choice", from the way he hired out horses from his stable.

Why is the monument here?

The fountain stood on Market Hill until the mid-nineteenth century, when it was taken down and re-erected beside Lensfield Road. Sources disagree on the year of the move (1849 or 1856), so the safe description is "mid-1800s". The structure is listed Grade II* on the National Heritage List for England, and the wider water system is also protected as a monument.

What will you see?

The monument is small and takes a few minutes to look at. It is an eight-sided stone structure that you view from outside. The context adds interest: along Trumpington Road you can spot stretches of the open brook belonging to the same system. Much of the channel runs underground, so the whole route cannot be followed by eye.

How do you get there?

It lies roughly a 15–20 minute walk from Market Hill and the centre, close to Cambridge railway station and the Botanic Garden. Walking or cycling suits Cambridge best. The monument stands on a pavement by the junction, so access is open at any hour and free. There are no toilets or cafes on the spot, though nearby streets have several.

When should you visit?

Any season works. Daylight shows the stonework best, and the stop pairs easily with the Botanic Garden or a walk among the colleges.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entry fee? No. The monument is in a public space and open at all times.

How long does a visit take? Five to ten minutes. Add a stroll along the brook on Trumpington Road and allow about half an hour.

Is it a protected monument? Yes. Historic England lists Hobson's Conduit at Grade II*, and the water system is also protected as a monument.

Where does "Hobson's choice" come from? From Thomas Hobson, who hired out horses in Cambridge and offered customers only the one nearest the stable door.