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WATER TOWERS IN BRITAIN

Barton map number 6

In order to display a database of water towers, Britain has been divided into county groups with each group on a separate web page. The starting point is the towers identified in Barton B. (2003) Water Towers of Britain, The Newcomen Society. This data has then been updated.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Kent



BAT TOWER formerly a WATER TOWER (06KT01)
Toys Hill, Brasted, Kent. TQ4652. This former water tower for the Weardale Estate, now in National Trust land, has been converted into a roosting tower for bats after suffering damage in the 1987 storm.



POLHILL WATER TOWER (06KT02)
Shackland Road, Polhill, Nr. Halstead, Kent. TN14 7BD. This green, steel water tower is located on the right in the entrance drive of the commercial yard of Conway. Turn into Shackland Road at the junction with the old London Road roundabout and the entrance drive is immediately on the left. The tank supplies water to Conway's lorries. Grid. Ref. 498616.



LANGTON GREEN WATER TOWER (06KT03)
Langton Road, Langton Green. Tunbridge Wells, Kent. TN3 0ET. Lying just east of the village, it comprises an extensive ground reservoir as well as the water tower itself and is managed by South East Water. It has a capacity of about 550,000 litres.







STANSTEAD WATER TOWER
Plexdale Green Road, Stanstead TN15 7PG, just to the north of Wrotham. There is some confusion as to the location of this tower which appears to be near Court Lodge in the village of Stanstead. Apparently it is a listed Round House but investigation revealed a large circular covered reservoir.



WROTHAM WATER TOWER (06KT04)
Located in the vintage village of Wrotham, this tower can be seen from West Street. Heading away from the church, the tower is behind houses on the right after about 50 yards. This is about 70 yards from the Court Lodge. It lies in the Court Lodge Estate. It appears to have once housed a donkey wheel pump and is known by the name of Donkey Wheel House. The tower is Grade II listed.




BLACKHURST WATER TOWER (06KT05)
Blackhurst Corner, near the crossroads where Halls Hole Road and Blackhurst Lane meet the main A264 Pembury Road. Tunbridge Wells. TN2 3RG. It is managed by South East Water but is decommissioned.




FLIMWELL WATER TOWER (06KT06)
Located in the Bedgebury Forest this tower is accessible near the junction of the A21 and B2079 roads. It is located in trees near a very substantial hill top aerial pylon at TQ 714323.



BARMING WATER TOWER (06KT07)
Barming, Maidstone, Kent. ME16 9ER. Barming water tower is now an elaborate residence. It lies up North Pole Road, near the higher end where you take a track off to the right. The original tower dates from 1926 and was built by the Maidstone Waterworks Company. By the 1950s it was leaking and the 35,000 gallon capacity considered inadequate. After much deliberation it was decided to build annular tanks around the original. The new addition was carried on 8 radial walls retaining the original height of 40 feet. In the early 21st century the tower became disused and the process of converting it to residential started circa. 2016. The tower was subsequently converted to residential status.

COXHEATH WATER TOWER (06KT08)
A short distance from the main street in Coxheath, this water tower can be located by going to Dane Court, a street in an adjacent housing estate. Alternatively go to the Heathside Health Centre on Heath Road ME17 4AH, Enter the new housing estate behind the church opposite and the tower can be viewed from Clock House Rise. The tower is dated 1957 but appears to be no longer in use.




COXHEATH HOSPITAL TOWER (06KT09)
In the main street of Coxheath in Kent there are two small hospital sites, one either side of the road near the church. The one adjacent to the church appears to be closing however the one opposite is clearly open and busy. The picture, seen by clicking left, was taken at the latter of the two sites and the modern building pictured appears to be the tower that remains. Once the hospital was much more extensive but land has been sold off for housing.


BLUE BELL HILL WATER TOWER.(06KT10)
Walderslade. ME5 9RG. Once in a field, this tower now lies at the edge of a major motorway junction. Heading north from Maidstone on the A229, just before the M2 is joined, turn into Common Road and the tower is immediately adjacent to the lane. It is operated by South East Water.




11 Linton Road, Coxheath. See 06KT08 above.

BEARSTEAD WATER TOWER.(06KT12)
Bearstead, just east of Maidstone. Grid ref. 813551. Now converted to a residential cottage on the corner of the A20 and a cul-de-sac, Crismill Lane, heading north by Woodcut Farm. Sympathetically restyled to provide quality holiday accommodation with unique circular rooms, this spacious former water tower once supplied the village.





SUTTON VALENCE WATER TOWER.(06KT13)
North Street, Sutton Valence. ME17 3HT. This rectangular water tower with a substantial residential building attached, dates from 1878. Within the tower is an 80 foot deep well, now capped with a steel lid. At the time of inspection (August 2022) this residential property was for sale by local estate agents.


14 Frimingham - lost



ALLHALLOWS WATER TOWER.(06KT15)
Ratcliffe Highway, Allhallows, Kent. ME3 9PT. Near the Isle of Grain. This tower lies about half a mile west of the village. It is now a radar tower having had the tank removed and is managed by the Port of London Authority. Residents can recall the tower with it's tank and still call it the water tower in spite of the tank being lost in the very early years of this century. NGR TQ827776.




HOLLINGBOURNE WATER TOWER.(06KT16)
From the village of Hollingbourne head north east uphill to the crest of the North Downs. Shortly after passing Hollingbourne House on the right, there is a minor crossroads. The tower is located in the far right trees that are adjacent to the cross roads. The tower appears to be out of use.




STEDE HILL WATER TOWER (06KT17)
Harrietsham, Kent. This charming tower lies about a mile north-east of Harrietsham and is a 21st century converswion to residential. The tower was built in 1903 on the eastern side of the country lane. Grid. Ref. 879540.





QUEENSBOROUGH WATER TOWER (06KT18)
Queensborough, Kent. This modern green tower can be spotted west of the A249 road on the Isle of Sheppey. Located south of Sheerness it can be seen just before the high bridge that takes the main road over The Swale that separates the Isle from the mainland. It serves as a water source for the sprinkler system in the nearby works.



19 Kemsley GONE


STOCKS WATER TOWER (06KT20)
Stocks crossroads, Wittersham, East Sussex. This tower is located at the top of Rose Hill where it joins the B2082 about one mile east of Wittersham. There is a windmill nearby. The tower is managed by South East Water.



SHEERNESS WATER TOWER (06KT21)
Trinity Road, Sheerness. Built in the 1860s, this tower has had a troubled history since 2012 when it was threatened with demolition. For many years it has stood derelict and in 2022 (September) it went up in flames. The red brick building at the far end is integral with the water tower and carries the title 'Sheerness Local Board of Health' over the main entrance. Their future remains uncertain....



WARREN STREET WATER TOWER (06KT22)
Warren Street is a hamlet that lies about 2 miles to the east of Lenham in Kent. The water tower stands prominently in a fielded area called Hubbards Hill just south of the hamlet. Grid. Ref. 925527





KINGSBOROUGH MINSTER WATER TOWER (06KT23)
Isle of Sheppey, Kent. This tower lies to the east of the town of Minster, on the southern side of the B2008 on Kingsborough Hill. It is managed by Southern Water. Grid. Ref. 970725.




FAVERSHAM - WHITEHILL WATER TOWER (06KT24)
This tower lies just to the south of Faversham and the M2 motorway in the village of Whitehill. It is in the Copton Depot works of the South East Water just off the A251 immediately south of the M2. Grid Ref. 013596. It appears to have lost its original tank, once on top.
FAVERSHAM - RAILWAY STATION WATER TOWER (06KT24)
This is the second tower in the locality of Faversham, Kent. Located in Station Road, near the railway station, it dates from C1858 for the London, Chatham and Dover Railway. It is now converted to residential use, albeit the tank remains on the top, a rare occurrence for a railway water tower. Grid Ref. TR 016609. It is Grade II listed.


DENGE WATER TOWER (06KT25)
Located at Denge Marsh near Lydd, this tower is in a nature reserve that is popular with photographers. Grid. ref. TR 06812 20155. The tower site is adjacent to the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch railway line. Accessibility to the tower location is by footpath from the road to the south-west at Boulderwall. In 1902 the Littlestone and District Water Company built this tower at Dungeness. It remains in use and is the tower that replaced the Littlestone on Sea tower.

LITTLESTONE ON SEA (06KT26)
Located on the Kent coast south of Dymchurch and just to the east of New Romney, this water tower was built in 1890. It lies on the north end of Littlestone and is easily spotted from a distance. The 120ft Grade II Listed red brick water tower was built by Henry Tubbs to supply water to his properties in the village, including Littlestone Golf Club and his proposed housing development. Unfortunately, the water tower did not function properly and the water was found to contain too much salt to be of any use. In 1902 the Littlestone and District Water Company instead built a tower at Dungeness to supply all of New Romney, Littlestone, Greatstone and Lydd and the tower at Littlestone fell into disuse. It now serves as a residence.


CANTERBURY (1) WATER TOWER (06KT27i)
Located on St Thomas Hill and known as St Thomas Tower, this tower was built in 1927 on the Whitstable Road opposite the university. It was taken out of service c.1993. South-East Water sold it in 1998 and it has subsequently found use as a mobile phone mast. Grid Ref. 133592.


CANTERBURY (2) WATER TOWER (06KT27ii)
Located by the cathedral in Canterbury, Kent, this medieval water tower now serves as a chapel, complete with basin and fountain for washing.




MICKLEBURGH HILL WATER TOWER (06KT28)
Located adjacent to Lavender Grove on a modern housing estate, this tower and service reservoir is managed by South East Water. It is a prominent landmark in the seaside resort of Herne Bay. Grid Ref. 187680. Apparently it has been dry for several decades but demolition has been avoided and it is now a valuable facility for aerials.



28 Mickleburgh Hill 2 not found
29 Paddlesworth GONE
30 Acrise - could not find (2023)



ADISHAM WATER TOWER (06KT31)
Located in an area known as Woodlands just west of the village of Adisham, which lies south-east of Canterbury. Grid Ref. 209535. This brick and terracotta tower apparently has been dry for some time but demolition has been avoided and it is now Grade II listed. The plaque on the front reads "Margate Corporation District Waterworks 1903".



SINGLEDGE WATER TOWER (06KT31) ONE
This derelict tower lies in woodland alongside the north-eastern side of the lane from Shepherds Well to Whitfield, just before you get to the village of Singledge. Grid Ref. 285461. This brick tower apparently has been dry for some time and has substantial rust holes in the tank. But demolition has been avoided although it was granted permission for a residential conversion some time ago. This has now lapsed.
SHEPHERDS WELL WATER TOWER (06KT31) TWOThere is also however another possible water tower that can be seen from the lane mentioned above nearer Shepherds Well; visible in the distance north-east across the field, adjacent to woodland. Grid Ref. 282476. It is the Belvedere for Waldershare Park.



DEAL WATER TOWER (06KT34)
Mill Hill, Upper Walmer, Deal. CF14 9FU. Located to the south-west of the main town of Deal, this water tower can be viewed from St Richards Road. Grid Ref. 363509.


RAMSGATE WATER TOWER (06KT34)
Located in Southlands CT11 0AA, this tower, which is a substantial local landmark, can be seen at the junction of Herbert Road and King Edward Road. Grid Ref. 378679. Built in 1881 it has now been converted to residential apartments and is Grade II listed.


RUMFIELDS BROADSTAIRS WATER TOWER (06KT35)
Located in Rumfields Road, to the west of Broadstairs between the town centre and Westwood; this tower in managed by Southern Water. Grid Ref. 377680.




CRAMPTON BROADSTAIRS WATER TOWER (06KT36)
This tower is located near Broadstairs railway station, at the end of Grosvenor Road. It was built in 1859 alongside the domed storage well building. The latter held 50,000 gallons of water which was pumped to the top of the tower to supply local residents. Built of local stone (flint), its use was eventually discontinued due to the saline content of the water. It now houses the Crampton Museum which is the principal history museum for the seaside town and is open to visitors at selected times. Grid Ref. 392680.


BROOMHILL WATER TOWER (06KT37)
This tower is located at Southborough, north of Tunbridge Wells, in the grounds of David Solomon's House. TN3 0TG. He was a former Lord Mayor of London. The grounds are accessible to the public and include a museum. This 36 acres estate was created in the 1830-50 period by Decimus Burton. The tower, with it's associated castellations on the cliff, is Grade II listed (1973).


38 Aylesford - GONE


HAWKHURST WATER TOWER (06KT39)
Located at The Moor, just south of Hawkhurst, this modest octagonal tower dates from c.1855. It is in the garden of Tower Cottage which lies next to the Rectory and churchyard on the A229 road just south of the church. It is Grade II listed. Grid Ref. 756293.



ROLVENDEN TOWER formerly a Water Tower. (06KT40)
TN17 4LS. The tower is located up a short track at the southern end of the village, on the left, heading south on the A28. Once a concrete structure, it was converted to residential in 2005 and appeared on the Grand Designs tv program. Sir Edwin Lutyens was associated with its construction. Grid. Ref. 844311.


41 Isle of Grain - not found


HOSPITAL WATER TOWER (06KT42)
William Harvey Hospital, Kennington Road, Willesborough, Ashford, Kent. TN24 0LZ. The water tower supplies the laundry which apparently reuses recycled water - the rinsing water is re-used as washing water. The hospital is named after William Harvey, the Folkestone-born doctor who discovered the blood circulatory system.

PREMIER WATER TOWER (06KT42)
Premier Foods, Ashford Factory. Kennington Road, Ashford, Kent. TN24 0LU United Kingdom. The tower is part of a new building complex that opened in 1957.




ROCHESTER WATER TOWER (06KT43)
We recently were sent this picture of Rochester Water Tower. We know very little about it and would love to hear from someone who does. Latest advice is that it is in MN - US?




FLEETE MANSTON WATER TOWER (06KT43)
Situated on the Isle of Thanet District, this tower lies to the north of Manston Airfield at the junction of Fleete Manston Road and Preston Road. to the west of Broadstairs. Grid Ref. 340664. It is managed by Southern Water.







East Sussex



PLUMPTON GREEN WATER TOWER (06ES01)
At the junction of Station Road and South Road opposite The Plough public house, BN7 3DF. Now residential, this tower lies close to the road junction about one mile north of Plumpton Green. It comprises three floors plus a ground floor extension and is converted in a modern style.



UCKFIELD WATER TOWER (06ES02)
Browns Lane, Uckfield TN22 1RT. Now residential, this tower lies close to the road about a third of a mile outside Uckfield centre. The date 1903 is above the door, indicating the year of construction.

HARTWELL WATER TOWER (06ES20)
Butcherfield Lane, Hartfield, East Sussex. TN7 4JH. Located just off the B2110 about one mile north of Hartfield, this water tower is on private property but can be seen from the lane. Grid. ref. 475368. It is part of a group of water related buildings now converted to residential use.




CROWBOROUGH BEACON WATER TOWER (06ES03)
Lies at the end of Beacon Road, Crowborough, Sussex. Grid ref: TQ 51172 30770. The tower is interesting architecturally.




NINFIELD WATER TOWER (06ES04)
Standard Hill on the western side of the village, this water tower lies on the north side of the main A217 road to Hailsham. It is managed by S E Water and was built in 1964/5. It is shielded by trees. Grid ref: TQ 700127.






NETHERFIELD WATER TOWER (06ES05)
Old Tower Walk. Netherfield, East Sussex. TN33 9BQ. TQ 7018. The tower was demolished some years previous and by 2022 the site was being developed for modern housing.

6 Battle GONE


MOUNTFIELD WATER TOWER (06ES07)
This tower is at the top of a hill on the western side of the A21 road, just north of the village of Mountfield, East Sussex. Grid Ref. 742213. A short distance north of the roundabout on the A21, there is a gated lane that leads to Mountfield Court, a Grade II listed country house dating from 1715. The tower is in the woods on the right just before the gate.



TELHAM WATER TOWER (06ES08)
A2100 Hastings Road, 2 miles south west of Battle near Crowhurst Park. Grid ref.777139. This tower can be seen up a short gated drive on the south western side of the road. It is operated by South East Water.


STAPLECROSS WATER TOWER (06ES09)
Located on the left along the road heading north-east from Cripps Corner towards Staplecross village. Up a short lane; it is managed by S E Water. Grid Ref. 780215.






SILVER HILL, HASTINGS WATER TOWER (06ES10)
Windmill Road, Hastings, TN38 9BY. This tower lies in the yard of Booker and Best, one of the largest building and home repair companies in the area. It appears to have lost its roof tank and is now used for other purposes.


11 Ore, Hastings GONE


PEASEMARSH WATER TOWER (06ES12)
Peasemarsh is about 2 miles East North East of Rye. Take the road west, opposite the grand gates to Peasemarsh Place in the village of Peasemarsh. After about a quarter of a mile, Starvecrow Lane is a turning right. The water tower is adjacent to the road junction in woodland. Grid Ref, 681217. The tower appears to be no longer in use. Both Peasemarsh Place and the nearby Norman Church are both worth a visit.


IDEN WATER TOWER (06ES13)
Located at the top of Playden Lane south of the village of Iden, a couple of miles north of Rye. It is managed by S E Water. Grid Ref. 918233.






RYE HILL WATER TOWER (06ES14)
This tower is sited on the west side of the A268 on Rye Hill, Playden, East Sussex. Located behind the Kings Head, it can be viewed from the lane going to the cemetery. It is managed by Southern Water.


FRISTON WATER TOWER (06ES15)
From Friston, high upon the Sussex Downs in the National Park, take the Old Willingdon Road, a cul-de-sac lane. The tower is on the right. The site is managed by South East Water.




CHERRY GARDENS WATER TOWER (06ES16)
Located by the Club House of the Eastbourne Downs Golf Club, East Dean Road, BN20 8ES, high on the South Downs above Cherry Gardens Road, west of Eastbourne. In the picture (click right) the original tank can be seen behind the more recent installation. In the distance the Seven Sisters Cliffs and Beachy Head within the South Downs National Park are just visible.


FOREDOWN TOWER (06ES17)
Foredown Road, Portslade, Brighton, East Sussex. BN41 2EN. No longer with water, the tower is now open to the public at set times and has a camera obscura enabling the views of the Sussex Downs National Park, where it resides, to be displayed inside. Built in 1909 as a water tower for Foredown Hospital, an isolation sanatorium for patients with infectious diseases, the structure was left standing when the hospital was demolished in 1988–89. This tower is an example of unfortunate planning in that it now stands on the edge of a substantial modern housing development.

HELLINGLY HOSPITAL (06ES18)
- now replaced by a modern housing estate. Grid. Ref 597125. This former mental institution remained active for most of the 20th century.












The following is an extract from 'The Supply of Water' (1931) Veal T.H.P., Chapman and Hall.







REGION

England - Southern, WATER TOWER INTEREST

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