Grant to Secure the Future of Colchester's Iconic Jumbo Water Tower
Historic England has awarded a grant of £550,000 for the repair and restoration of the Jumbo Municipal Water Tower in Colchester, continuing its commitment to saving this significant local landmark.
This funding builds on Historic England's previous investment in the project, which included a grant of £48,500 for urgent repair work and a £20,000 development grant in 2020 for structural surveys.
The latest funding from Historic England comes alongside £8 million from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and £1.1 million from government grants, demonstrating strong partnership working and a shared goal to give this important building a bright future.
The Grade II* listed tower, built using approximately 1.25 million bricks and 142 tons of iron, is a characterful landmark on Colchester's skyline. At 110 feet, Jumbo is one of England's tallest and most intact municipal water towers.
Built in 1882 and opened in 1883, it provided Colchester residents with reliable, clean water for the first time, remaining in operation for over a century until 1984.
For more than 35 years, this Romanesque Revival 'Campanile' style tower has stood empty, suffering significant deterioration that led to its inclusion on Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register. The cracking cast iron water tank and roof leaks causing timber decay are of particular concern.
The restoration project is led by North Essex Heritage, who secured a 150-year lease for the building in December 2021. It is intended that 'Jumbo' will become a visitor attraction as a heritage and events venue.
This investment in Jumbo Water Tower demonstrates our commitment to working with partners to bring historic buildings back to life. Our longstanding support has helped to secure the future of this remarkable structure, an important and well-loved Colchester landmark, giving it a life in the local community and a role in the local economy for years to come.
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