Secret Garden in Wisbech unveils Kugel ball fountain that is a physics phenomenon

A local venue has become what is thought to be the first place in the area to own a Kugel ball fountain.

The physics phenomenon was officially unveiled at the Secret Garden in Mile Tree Lane, Wisbech on Saturday and adds another dimension to the local attraction.

Neil and Lesley Pollington commissioned the spherical granite ball especially for the venue after he saw one on a visit with their grandchildren to Peppa Pig World in Hampshire.

Neil said: “I just thought it was amazing, and had to have one.”

Since then he has learned a bit more about the fountains and watched a video of one which is thought to be the largest in the world.

That one weighs a little under 30 tonnes and is located outside the Richmond Science Museum, in Virginia.

The Secret Garden Kugel ball weighs in at 800kgs and was manufactured by Kusser Granitwerke.

What makes them special is the fact they appear to float on just a small amount of water thanks to hydrostatic pressure – it works on the same principle as an aquaplaning car when it loses grip on a thin film of water.

The key is that both the ball and the socket it sits in are perfectly spherical and matched in diameter.

Like the one located in Richmond the Secret Garden ball has the map of the world etched on it.

Neil added: “Obviously I can’t say for certain it is the only one in Fenland, but it is the only one I know of that is on view to the public. It is nice to bring something different to the area.

“We have had a really good reaction, there have been over 300 likes on our Facebook page and we have had nearly 80 comments from people.

“The weekend saw a lot of people taking selfies with it, so hopefully people will enjoy coming to see it. It is an amazing piece of engineering.”