Statue of Hugh Myddelton
The Statue of Hugh Myddelton stands in Islington Green, a small triangular public garden in the heart of Islington, north London. It is a dignified bronze sculpture commemorating one of the most consequential engineers and civic benefactors in London's history, a man whose work fundamentally changed the lives of Londoners by bringing clean, fresh water into the city for the first time on a reliable and systematic basis. The statue is a notable landmark in this part of north London and serves as a reminder of how much urban life in the capital owes to the vision and determination of a single individual working in the early seventeenth century.
Hugh Myddelton was a Welsh-born goldsmith, merchant, and entrepreneur who conceived and executed the New River project, completed in 1613. This remarkable feat of engineering involved constructing an artificial channel nearly forty miles long to carry fresh water from springs in Hertfordshire, near Ware, all the way to Islington, where it terminated at a reservoir known as the New River Head. At a time when London's population was growing rapidly and its water supply was dangerously inadequate and polluted, this was a transformative achievement. Myddelton faced enormous financial challenges and political opposition, and at one point King James I had to step in as a co-investor to help the project survive. The New River Company he founded continued supplying water to London for centuries, eventually becoming part of the modern water infrastructure that still serves the city today.
The statue itself was created by the sculptor John Thomas and unveiled in 1862, making it a Victorian tribute to a Stuart-era hero. Myddelton is depicted standing upright in period dress, wearing the costume of a seventeenth-century gentleman, with a composed and thoughtful expression. He holds a rolled document, often interpreted as a representation of the New River plans or his royal charter. The bronze has acquired the deep green patina characteristic of outdoor urban sculpture, and the figure stands on a tall stone plinth that elevates him above the bustle of Islington Green below. Inscriptions on the plinth acknowledge his contribution to the city's water supply.
Islington Green itself is a lively and pleasant public space, occupying a narrow wedge of land where Upper Street and Essex Road diverge. It is well planted with trees and has benches where locals sit to eat lunch, read, or simply watch the considerable foot traffic of this busy part of Islington. The green is enclosed by the noise and energy of the surrounding streets, with buses rumbling past, the chatter of people heading to nearby shops, pubs and restaurants, and the general hubbub of one of London's most vibrant inner-city neighbourhoods. Despite its modest size, it functions as a genuine community gathering spot and a small breathing space amid the urban density.
The area surrounding the statue is rich in history and interest. Angel tube station is only a short walk away, making the location very accessible. The Screen on the Green, a famous independent cinema, stands directly on the green, and there are numerous independent shops, cafes and restaurants along Upper Street, which is one of the more celebrated eating and drinking streets in London. The King's Head Theatre pub is nearby, and Camden Passage, a well-known antiques and vintage market, is just a couple of minutes' walk away. The proximity to the New River Head itself, now part of a residential development in Clerkenwell, means that visitors interested in Myddelton's legacy can trace some of the original route.
Visiting the statue requires no special planning. It is freely accessible at all times, standing in an open public green. The nearest Underground station is Angel on the Northern line, from which it is approximately a five-minute walk northward along Upper Street. Buses serving the area are plentiful. The statue can be visited at any time of year, though the green is most pleasant in spring and summer when the trees are in leaf and people use the benches. There are no entry fees or restrictions of any kind. The statue is immediately visible from the street and is a natural stopping point for anyone walking the stretch of Upper Street between Angel and Highbury.
One of the more intriguing aspects of Myddelton's legacy is that the New River, though long since shortened and mostly converted into underground pipes, still technically exists in truncated form and continues to supply water to London. The New River Path is a walking route that follows much of the original channel's course, passing through Hertfordshire and into north London, and it remains a popular trail for walkers and cyclists. The statue in Islington Green thus connects the present-day city to a piece of engineering heritage that is quietly and persistently still functioning, an unusual distinction for any monument to be able to claim.