The design was for a tall crenellated tower to be sited on South Nab, a promontory overlooking the River Wharfe (54°0′2″N 1°52′29″W / 54.00056°N 1.87472°W / 54.00056; -1.87472, grid reference SE 083 560).

[4] In 1884, the Duke of Devonshire (Lord Frederick's father) notified the committee that objections to the planned tower had been received and that it "would be detrimental to the landscape of the district and mar the beauty of the outline".

The revised design was accepted by the committee and it was resolved to erect the fountain just north of the priory at a location known as Hartington Seat.

[3] The fountain stands approximately 40 feet (12.2 metres) high and is constructed of local stone in the form of ashlar blocks.

A frieze connects the buttresses and is inscribed "This fountain was erected by electors of the West Riding as a tribute to his memory, Frederick Charles Cavendish Born November XXX.