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WONDERFUL WATER TOWERS IN BRITAIN

Barton map number 10

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

Essex










1, Rye Hill

HIGH STREET EPPING WATER TOWER (10EX02)
Located at 35 High St, Epping, CM16 4BA, this is a Grade II listed building and now a significant landmark. It was built in 1872 by Jabez Church for the Epping Rural Sanitary Authority. Grid Square TL 45 01. When built its purpose was to to reduce the high death rate from cholera and typhoid that existed locally due to unsanitary conditions. A characteristic of Essex is the use of the word "Jumbo" as an adjective to describe the massive, brick built, water towers of the region. This tower qualifies as a jumbo water tower.



BERDEN WATER TOWER (10EX03)
A short distance south of Berden, Essex. Along Bridleway 16 towards the Water Tower. Grid Ref, TL465287. Built for the Lea Valley Water Company and positioned near Berden Hall Farm close to a public right of way. To continue your voyage of discovery click right.





FAIRFORD ROAD WATER TOWER (10EX04)
Epping. Fairfield Road Reservoir and Water Tower - the Tower is located on the opposite side of the road to the reservoir. During World War II Epping was a war zone, with 11 attacks in the area destroying hundreds of homes, damaging farms, roads and railways. One explosion wrecked St Margaret's Hospital after a V2 long-range rocket landed between Fairfield Road and the hospital in 1945. It fell just 35ft from the base of the concrete water tower in the hospital grounds, fracturing its side and forcing about 463,000 gallons of water out of the tank. Six people died and 39 people were injured. Extensive damage was caused to the hospital and homes in Fairfield Road and Union Terrace. The closest building to the blast was a ward opposite the water tower and next to allotments on the south-west edge of the hospital.


CHURCH LANGLEY WATER TOWER (10EX05)
161 Challinor, Harlow CM17 9XE. This concrete tower is very visible from the M11 motorway and lies to the east of Harlow on the western side of the M11, about 2 miles north of junction 7. It was built in 1993–1994. Grid Ref. 486098. To continue your voyage of discovery click right.



STANSTEAD WATER TOWER (10EX06)
Water tower apparently at The Grange, near Stansted Airport.






7. Toot Hill
8. Bedlars Green

SAFFRON WALDEN WATER TOWER (10EX09)
Saffron Walden's jumbo Water Tower, Debden Road, was constructed in 1913 for the Borough of Saffron Walden Water Works. More recently it has become redundant for its original purpose. Approximately 28 metres-high, it has accommodated telecommunications, making use of its impressive height. The red brick Edwardian feature, designed by architect A H Forbes and constructed by local builder J Custerson, became a Grade II listed building in 1994. In the 21st century, the tower was for sale. It is located on the south side of the town centre. Grid Ref. TL 538 376.

WIDDINGTON WATER TOWER (10EX10)
A disused Water Tower that is located off of Cornells Road to the east of the village of Widdington and surrounded by neighbouring farm lands. In 2021 it was for sale as a former water tower with residential development potential. This tower is approximately six miles from Saffron Walden to the north and in the vicinity of Stansted Airport, which is about 11 miles away, with the nearby M11 offering access to London and north. Grid Ref. 545 314.


11. Gunters
12. Canfield
13. Sibleys

TAKELEY WATER TOWER (10EX14)
Water tower at Takeley Park, viewed from the B183 at Takeley FC's ground. Grid Ref. TL 568 236. This tower lies immediately east of Stanstead Airport, about a mile north of Takeley. Postcode: CM22 6PF.

15. Sewards End

CUTLERS GREEN WATER TOWER (10EX16)
Located on Love Farm, Cutlers Green, about a mile west of Thaxted. It dates from 1938 when a scheme to improve water supply to the area involved replacing existing pumping stations and building three new water towers. Grid Ref. 591303. To continue your voyage of discovery click left.




TYE GREEN WATER TOWER (10EX17)
Tye Green is a hamlet in the civil parish of Wimbish, in the county of Essex. Safron Walden is about 3 miles west. The water tower is located at the southern end of the hamlet. Grid Ref. 591 352.


WIMBISH WATER TOWER (10EX18)
Possibly confused with the water tower at Tye Green, nearby and detailed above and therefore subject to confirmation with further research. This tower is thought to be located in the hamlet and the civil parish of Wimbish, in the county of Essex. Safron Walden is about 3 miles west.


19. The Poplars, High Easter

MILL GREEN WATER TOWER (10EX20)
This tower lies in the hamlet of Mill Green to the north-east of Fryerning; nearby is the Gospel Hall. This is north-east of Ingatestone and the A12 (T) road, south-west of Chelmsford. Grid Ref, 639 008. The junction of Mill Green Road and Mill Lane where the water tower stands is adjacent to the Fryerning Conservation Area.

GREAT DUNMOW WATER TOWER (10EX21)
The water tower is located on the eastern outskirts of Great Dunmow Essex, east of Braintree. It's situated beside the main road to Braintree, which was formerly part of the old A120. The tower is topped with numerous communication antennae. Grid Ref. 647223. To continue your voyage of discovery click right.


22. Helions Bumpstead

FELSTEAD WATER TOWER (10EX23)
Water Tower at Garnetts Lane, Felsted, Dunmow, Essex, CM6 3EJ. There are many water towers around the country, but this one is a quite unusual design. The 1960s concrete landmark sits incongruously on the edge of the pretty Essex village of Felsted, and was once used to supply homes with water. Now decommissioned the tower, which sits in a plot of about a fifth of an acre, has been up for sale in recent years with a price tag of £325,000. The site’s future owner could perhaps, subject to planning consent, convert the tower into a home. Grid Ref. 691 209. Felstead lies between Great Dunmow and Braintree.

24. Admirals Park, Chelmsford
25. Great Saling
26. Longstomps, Chelmsford


WETHERSFIELD WATER TOWER (10EX27)
Wethersfield is a village and civil parish on the B1053 road about 5 miles north of Braintree. The water tower is located just north of the village near Wethersfield Airport. Grid Ref. 708329. To continue your voyage of discovery click right.

28. White Courts,Braintree
29. Braintree 1 & 2

BOCKING WATER TOWER (10EX30)
Lyons Hall Road, Bocking, on the north-west side of Braintree. A unique attractive red brick former water tower arranged over ground and two upper floors with ladders connecting each floor. A ladder also provides access from the second floor to the top steel water tank area where there is a small service platform. A lawn area is located at the rear of the water tower with gated vehicular access to the site from Lyons Hall Road. The tower is 132 ft high overall and contains 1.2 million red bricks. Like 50 below, it was nicknamed 'Jumbo', in this case after the London Zoo elephant as a term of derision in 1882 by Reverend John Irvine, who was annoyed that the tower dwarfed his nearby rectory. Construction took around 20 months and was completed in 1883. The tank is constructed of cast-iron bolted panels and when it was in use could hold 37,800 cubic feet of water. It was claimed at the time to be the second largest water tower in England. Plans are to reutilise it as a restaurant and visitor centre. Grid Ref. 75 23.

DANBURY WATER TOWER (10EX31)
Located east of Cheltenham, Danbury water tower, CM3 4EQ, is a large octagonal concrete structure in a secure compound. It is part of a water infrastructure system managed by Affinity Water. The tower is situated in an elevated area, with the Parish Church of St John the Baptist sitting alongside at the highest point of Danbury Hill. There are masts atop the water tower. There is no access. The best view is from the adjacent churchyard. Grid Ref. 774 050.

32. Sible Hedingham

HIGH GARRETT WATER TOWER (10EX33)
Water tower, located on the former military establishment named High Garrett Camp. This is now a historic site with derelict buildings on the northern side of Braintree, with the tower being the earlier water resource for the former WWII prisoner of war camp. Grid Ref. 7798 2733.


LANHAM WATER TOWER (10EX34)
Lanham Green, Cressing, south-east of Braintree. Managed by Anglian Water. Grid Ref. 795 217. Beyond its functional use, it is notable for a wartime incident where a Royal Air Force bomber crashed into it, resulting in the deaths of the crew.



HALSTEAD WATER TOWER (10EX35)
Conies Road, Halstead. Grid Ref. 807 295. Owners Anglian Water sought to install radio transmitter masts on this tower, much to the concern of local residents nearby in 2008. To continue your voyage of discovery click right.

36. Halstead/Head Street 1 & 2, Halstead

OLIVERS NURSERIES WITHAM WATER TOWER (10EX37)
Witham is a town and civil parish in Braintree. The metal tower is at the Nurseries, Maldon Rd, Witham CM8 3HY. Olivers Plants is proudly owned and run by Oliver Wass. What began as a small vegetable patch at home has since blossomed into a well-known business in the local community. Today, Olivers Plants includes a fully stocked Retail Plant Centre, a dedicated Production Nursery, and a metal water tower.


38. Collingwood Road, Witham

LITTLE MAPLESTEAD WATER TOWER (10EX39)
Water tower, in Little Cock Road, Little Maplestead, Halstead, Essex CO9 2SH, which is of interest to developers and possible occupiers. This is a disused freehold Water Tower on a site of approximately 0.143 acres in an attractive village fringe location. It has development potential subject to consents and is at the time of advertising (2024), vacant! Being sold by Savills Property Auctions.


COLD NORTON WATER TOWER (10EX40)
This is the water tower at Great Canney near Cold Norton. Grid Square TL8300. Cold Norton lies about 6 miles south of Maldon. The tower lies on the western side of the village at Great Canney. It appears the Great Canney water tower in Essex has planning permission for conversion into a residential home, currently in development, awaiting completion. The tower was decommissioned by Anglian Water, and Braintree Council granted permission for its conversion to residential in August 2022.




41. Cherry Garden, Maldon
42. Earls Colne



TIPTREE WATER TOWER, (10EX43)
Kelvedon Road CO5 0LX. This jumbo tower lies on the B1023 road on the north-west side of Tiptree. It is redbrick and now residential. Called "The Old Water Tower" it is next door Tower Pet and Animal Feeds, Tiptree. Grid Ref. 884175.


WAKES COLNE WATER TOWER (10EX44)
Wakes Colne is a village in northern Essex, situated on the north bank of the River Colne. It is located within the Colne Valley, north-west of Colchester. The tower was built between 1935 and 1936 to provide a more reliable and sanitary water source for the parish. A nearby water tower in Mount Bures was added later in 1947.


MOUNT BURES WATER TOWER (10EX45)
Mount Bures lies north of Wakes Colne in the Colne valley, two villages in northern Essex. The water tower is located between the two villages that are north-west of Colchester. Grid Ref. 902 311. The water tower was constructed in 1947.



OXLEY GREEN WATER TOWER, (10EX46)
CO5 0SG Oxley Green is about 10 miles south-west of Colchester. The tower lies down a bridleway called Green Lane off Tudwick Road and is managed by Essex and Suffolk Water. Grid Ref. 905142.




47. Tollesbury

SAINT LAWRENCE WATER TOWER (10EX48)
This water tower was built in 1966. It has an elegant and sculptural form, occupying a highly prominent position at the top of St Lawrence Hill where it is a striking local landmark. Constructed of unpainted concrete and circular in section, it consists of a narrow-diameter vertical shaft supporting a cone-shaped tank with a simple balustrade on top. The Tower is 53 metres (173 feet) tall and holds 681,900 litres (150,000 gallons) of water. Grid Ref. 966 043, this location is just south of the Blackwater Estuary.



HORKESLEY WATER TOWER, (10EX49)
This tower lies to the north of Colchester, just off the A12 road on the south-east side of Great Horkesley. Grid Ref. 992294.


BALKERNE WATER TOWER, (10EX50)
Balkerne Lane/Gate, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1PT. It is now nicknamed Jumbo Water Tower, like number 30 above. This 40 metres tower dates from 1882/3 and is Grade II listed. It is built from 1.2 million bricks, held 220,000 gallons of water and is a distinctive landmark in Colchester. It fell out of use as a water tower in 1971 when it was sold by Anglian Water. Since then its use has been speculative but undecided. A recent proposal is that it is a restaurant and open to the public as a visitor experience and historical interpretation space. The Balkerne Tower Trust is a charity founded to ensure its preservation.

51. Abberton



WEST MERSEA WATER TOWER, (10EX52)
31 Upland Rd, West Mersea, near Colchester CO5 8DR. In the late 1920s local builders, constructed this new water tower in Upland Road. The tower supplied properties in West Mersea with fresh water obtained from a local bore hole and pumped to the storage tank by a pump located on the ground floor. In May 1931 a fire, believed to be caused by an oily rag catching alight, started in the engine driving the pump and quickly spread upwards into the roof. Despite the efforts of the local fire brigade, the fire burned out of control and completely destroyed the roof of the tower.

53. Rowhedge

WIVENHOE WATER TOWER (10EX54)
Wivenhoe lies south-east of Colchester where this 72 feet high jumbo tower is a prominent landmark. It dates from 1901 when it was built for the Wivenhoe District Council Waterworks. Subsequently this Grade II listed structure has been converted into residential apartments. Grid Ref. 039 227. To continue your voyage of discovery click left.






BRIGHTLINGSEA (WATER) TOWER, (10EX55)
Brightlingsea lies west of Clacton-on-Sea. This tower is known as Bateman's Tower. It is a folly built in 1883 by John Bateman as a recuperation area for his daughter who was suffering from consumption. It is situated on Westmarsh Point on the River Coln. Although often mistaken for a water tower, it is not and this entry merely clarifies matters for those confused. Grid ref. 077 163.

56. Point Clear



HORSLEY WATER TOWER, (10EX57)
Horsley Cross concrete tower lies just to the west of Harwich on the B1035 road just to the north of the main A120 that connects London and Harwich and to the south of Horsleycross Street - click right for picture. It was built in 1952 to hold 2,270 cubic meters of water in celebration of the Queen's coronation the following year.

58. Clacton
59. Frinton


HARWICH WATER TOWER (10EX60)
Fronks Road, Dovercourt, Harwich. On the south -east sea front. The Water Tower dates from 1903 and comprises a steel tower with tank of corrugated metal sheeting The circular water tank has a cone-shaped roof and access gallery complete with handrail. The tank is mounted on an openwork octagonal tower of steel with diagonal housing and access ladders. Grid Ref. 24374 30935, All the metalwork is painted and as such is an elegant Grade II listed building and local landmark. To continue your voyage of discovery click left.



61. Lambourne
62. Kelvedon Hatch

WARLEY WATER TOWERS (3) (10EX63)
Warley is a suburb on the south side of Brentwood in Essex. It's situated near the Greater London boundary and the M25 motorway. The left side water tower lies on the south side of Eagle Way whereas the jumbo tower on the right served Warley Mental Hospital, now a housing estate. Also known as Mascalls Water Tower, when located at Warley Hospital in Brentwood, it was a prominent landmark within the hospital grounds and surrounding area. To continue your voyage of discovery click left or right.


DAVY DOWN WATER TOWER (10EX64)
Davy Down Pumping Station, near North Stifford. In 1999 this building contained preserved diesel pumps. The white water tower is behind it, just visible on the left hand side. Davy Down Pumping Station (also known as Stifford Pumping Station) is located within the Davy Down Riverside Park in North Stifford. It is situated off the B186 (Pilgrims Lane) between North Stifford and South Ockendon, close to the A13 and M25 Junction 31. The site features a 1920s pumping station set in a 6-hectare park alongside the Mar Dyke. Address: Back Lane, North Stifford, Grays, Essex, RM16 5UL. Grid Ref. 58 80. To continue your voyage of discovery click left.

MOUNTNESSING WATER TOWER (10EX65)
Water Tower & Telecoms Mast. This water resource is located near Arnolds Farm Lane at Mountnessing, which in turn is situated to the north-east of Brentwood, south-west of Ingatestone, Essex. Grid Ref. 635 974, the tower lies south-east of the village, the A12(T) and the railway.


66. Horndon

BILLERICAY WATER TOWER (10EX67)
The Billericay water tower, seen from Sun Corner. In front of the water tower are the houses etc. in Laindon Road. Billericay lies to the east of Brentwood and the tower is on the south side of Billericay where it is a prominent local structure located near the Guildprime Business Centre on Southend Road. It is part of the local water infrastructure, with improvements and maintenance of the tower and surrounding systems occurring as recently as 2020 to ensure consistent, high-pressure water supply. Grid Ref. 674 941. To continue your voyage of discovery click right.

68. Langdon Hills
69. Ramsden Heath
70. Stock



SOUTH BENFLEET WATER TOWER, (10EX71)
Castle Point, South Benfleet. SS7 1PW, Essex. This brick jumbo water tower functioned in its original role from 1903 to 1957. It is 90 feet high and now comprises 6 floors with offices and accommodation. It is the southern of two water towers at Thundersley, the northerly one being a concrete tower (number 72). Recently (2022) the Benfleet Tower was put on the market for a sum in the region of 2m. pounds. It is rumored to be haunted by a friendly supernatural spirit nicknamed Herbert. Approx. Grid Ref. 789866.



THUNDERSLEY WATER TOWER (10EX72)
3 Allandale, Benfleet SS7 3LY. Click left for an aerial view of the water Tower and Thundersley Common. The Water Tower is a conspicuous feature just right of centre. The road just below is Great Burches Road. Thundersley lies north of Canvey Island with South Benfleet between the two afore mentioned locations. Grid Ref. 794 896.


73. Hockley

LATCHINGDON WATER TOWER (10EX74)
A remarkable transformation of a water tower into a residence on the Rectory Lane Junction with Lower Burnham Road. This elegantly historic Essex retreat is just south of Latchingdon, an ancient village and surrounded by the fresh, rolling downland about 7 miles south of Maldon. Originally built in 1934, the Tower was the recent winner of Maldon’s coveted Building Conservation Award. Ordnance Survey grid reference is TQ 889 987.

75. Shoeburyness
76. Burnham on Crouch


LE CATEAU BARRACKS WATER TOWER, (10EX77)
Butt Road, Colchester. Also known as the Artillery Barracks Water Tower. Colchester Garrison was constructed between the 1860s and 1930s on the southern side of Colchester town centre. The Cavalry Barracks and the Le Cateau Barracks, adjoining each other on the east side of Butt Road were the first permanent barracks to be built in Colchester and pre-date many others in the country. The water tower survives as a landmark to this history in the centre of Colchester not far from the Balkerne Tower number 50. (10EX50)


FORD BASILDON WATER TOWER, (10EX77)
The Onion Water Tower, Basildon. Seen across the car park of New Holland (previously Ford's) tractor plant, the "onion" is a well-known Basildon landmark. It is a prominent, 38-meter (125ft) structure built in 1963 for the Ford tractor plant. Grid Square TQ 71 90.

EASTON WATER TOWER (10EX79)
Little Easton, north-west of Great Dunmow, CM6 2BB. The tower is located in the vicinity of the gardens at Easton Lodge; the gardens are the remains of the earlier 1947 demolished house on the estate. The original Easton Lodge was built by Henry Maynard in 1597. A later-built house, with gardens designed by Harold Peto, was occupied by Frances Evelyn Maynard (1861-1938), Countess of Warwick. The Gardens, like the tower, are Grade II listed. The gardens are open to the public. Grid Ref. 594240. To continue your voyage of discovery click left.


CASTLE HEDINGHAM WATER TOWER, (10EX80)
Colne Valley Railway train passes the water tower and signal box. The Colne Valley Railway is located in the county of Essex, England. Specifically, it is based at Castle Hedingham Station, near Halstead. This heritage railway operates a one-mile running line, featuring a reconstructed station, signal box, and railway yard.


SEVERALLS HOSPITAL WATER TOWER, (10EX81)
Severalls Hospital was a psychiatric hospital in Colchester, CO4 6DA. The foundation stone was laid on 21st June 1910 and the first 50 patients were admitted in May 1913. During World War I, it served as a recuperation centre for soldiers. In August 1942, during World War II, the hospital was bombed by the Luftwaffe, resulting in the deaths of 38 patients. Closed in 1997, the site has since been redeveloped for residential use, with some of the original buildings converted into homes and new houses built. The jumbo water tower has been preserved and has undergone refurbishment.













REGION

England - Central, WATER TOWER INTEREST

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