Support our project to bring a much-loved Port Sunlight landmark back to life

A much-loved monument

Why the Boating Pond is special

The Boating Pond is a beloved Port Sunlight landmark. It was designed for toy boats in the 1930s by Lever Brothers architect James Lomax Simpson, who was responsible for most Port Sunlight buildings designed after 1911. The bronze Sea Piece fountain by sculptor Charles Wheeler was installed in 1950 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Lady Lever’s birth. Both the Boating Pond and the fountain are Grade II listed.

The problem

What's wrong with the Boating Pond?

The Boating Pond is nearly 100 years old. The basin of the pond was built with concrete and cement, which have caused significant problems. Its walls are damaged and the waterproof materials have deteriorated in many places over the decades. Its surface has been repaired several times with different coatings to try to keep it in use, however surveys have demonstrated that the basin continues to leak. in 2021, Port Sunlight Village Trust had to drain the Boating Pond and install rubber matting for safety reasons, and it cannot be refilled until it has been repaired.

What's happening now?

April 2026

Construction work to repair the Boating Pond has begun. So that the concrete basin can be replaced and the stonework around its sides carefully dismantled, hoardings have been installed around the pond. This includes the pavements around the pond, meaning pedestrian access and a limited area of parking in front of Lady Lever Art Gallery is affected. This is important to ensure the safety of the contractors, residents and visitors. Thank you for your support and patience.

Over the coming months, our specialist contractors Grosvenor Construction will be installing new pumping and filtration systems, repairing and cleaning stonework, and replacing damaged masonry. The ‘crazy paving’ will also be replaced to make the pond more accessible. Meanwhile, Rupert Harris Conservation will be sensitively restoring the Sea Piece fountain. Works are expected to be complete and the renewed Boating Pond back in action by early autumn 2026.

How you can support

Make a donation today

From £5 to £50, a one-off or regular donation to Port Sunlight Village Trust will help us not only get the water flowing again but maintain and protect this Grade II listed monument for many years to come.

You can donate here. Thank you.

Support us

Donate a duck

Give your support to the project by taking part in our ‘Donate a duck’ interactive giving platform – simply click anywhere on the pond, choose the donation amount and add a personal message if you wish, and add your rubber duck to the raft (that’s the collective noun for a group of ducks, if you didn’t know).

Look out for special rubber ducks available to purchase in Port Sunlight Museum’s gift shop, coming soon!

Give a duck

Support us

Help our JustGiving campaign

Help us reach our target to raise £10,000 in support of our important project through JustGiving. Give an individual donation or rally behind our cause with your own fundraisers to bring this important part of the local community back to life. If you have any fundraising ideas or plans, please contact our Fundraising team so we can give our full support.

Give now

Support us

Display your love for the Boating Pond

Emma Rodgers, acclaimed sculptor and resident artist at Port Sunlight’s Old Fire Station, has designed a range of beautiful village-themed decorations including one featuring the Sea Piece fountain. Each decoration is hand-finished and gives you the chance to display a piece of Port Sunlight in your home, all while supporting our project.

Buy now

Support us

Play the Port Sunlight Lottery

Playing the Port Sunlight Lottery for just £2 per week is a fun and easy way to support our work. You’ll be in with the chance of winning weekly cash prizes of up to £1,000, plus monthly gift hampers and quarterly superdraws of £5,000 or £10,000. So what are you waiting for?

Join now