Great Conduit, Medieval water supply structure in Cheapside, England.
The Great Conduit was a medieval water supply system in Cheapside, at the heart of the City of London. It carried water from the Tyburn springs through wooden and lead pipes to a collection tank at the market.
London began building this water network in 1245 to bring fresh water from natural springs to city residents. It was one of the earliest examples of public infrastructure on this scale in England.
People gathered at the Great Conduit to collect water while officials oversaw its distribution. The spot sat at the heart of Cheapside market, one of the busiest trading areas in medieval London, making it a natural place for daily social exchange.
The site is centrally located in Cheapside and easy to reach on foot. Almost nothing of the original structure survives above ground, so it helps to trace the old route from Tyburn to the market on a historical map before you visit.
During royal celebrations, the conduit was decorated and ran with wine instead of water for the public to enjoy. This shows how closely daily life in the city was tied to this otherwise ordinary water point.
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