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Walking around Cambridge today, it's hard to imagine the pollution and squalor of the sixteenth century. However, like many other towns and cities of the period, Cambridge struggled with basic sanitation and associated disease. Sewers were often blocked and the rivers contaminated with domestic waste. In an attempt to relieve Cambridge of the 'corrupt air' and provide clean drinking water for the city, Vice-chancellor Dr. Andrew Perne suggested that a stream be diverted from Nine Wells near Shelford, through town and the King's Ditch. This scheme was implemented in 1610 as the 'New River' and was a joint enterprise between Town and Gown. As an important dignitary of the time, Thomas Hobson was one of a group who helped plan and execute the scheme. He also endowed a trust to deal with the maintenance of the waterway. This still exists today and explains why the conduit bears his name.

The original conduit was based in Market Square and the magnificent conduit head structure was built in 1855 to mark this site after the market was destroyed by fire. The conduit was moved at this time to Lensfield Road where they remained until 1953 when the conduit head was dismantled.