SPAB Essex Visit to "Jumbo" Water Tower, Colchester

SPAB Essex Visit to "Jumbo" Water Tower, Colchester

A chance to climb the Grade II* listed 'Jumbo', the largest remaining Victorian water tower in Britain

Date: 
25/03/2023 - 25/03/2023
Audience: 
SPAB Members and their guests
Price: 

£8 per person

Event details

Saturday 25th March at 11am

The SPAB Essex Regional Group has arranged a visit to the redundant water tower in Colchester, affectionately known as “Jumbo”.

The Grade II* listed Jumbo is the largest remaining Victorian water tower in Britain, and an increasingly rare example of one in an original condition. 

During Victorian times, people used private wells that became contaminated. This led to a public health emergency with people sick with cholera. The 1875 Public Health Act came into place and in 1883, Jumbo was built to provide clean water. It held over 1 million litres of water. That is 2,210,000 water bottles that weighed more than 250 tonnes. It is 105 ft (32 m) high; the top of Jumbo is reached by a metal spiral staircase of 157 steps.  

The tower has been disused for more than 35 years and a local charity has recently been awarded a long lease for repurposing the structure.  The estimated £4 million project is due to be submitted for an HLF grant application in early 2023.   Here is an opportunity to visit the structure before such work commences. There are superb views from the top of the tower.

It should be noted that a reasonable degree of physical fitness is required.  Sensible footwear must be worn and gloves are advised.  The Colchester and North East Essex Building Preservation Trust require that you accept the terms of a disclaimer and confirm that you have no health reasons as to why you cannot safely ascent and descend the Water Tower.

Early booking is advised as there is a limit on the number of visitors.

This visit can be used for CPD purposes.

The price is £8 per person.

A map and further information will be sent to registered participants nearer the time.

Bookings

This event is limited to SPAB members and their guests. To register, please log in. If you can't remember your password, you can request a new one here

If you find you are taken to the SPAB homepage when you try to book, it indicates that you are either not logged in or don't have a current SPAB membership. Please contact our membership team for help.

Multiple bookings

As long as there is space on the event, we usually allow you to book for both yourself and a guest. When completing the booking form, you will be asked to select the number of people and put in your own details on the first page, then to put in your second person's details on the next page. The event fee shown on each of these pages is for the individual person - you will be shown the total amount due once you get to the summary page.

About the Essex Regional Group

The SPAB Essex Regional Group was formed in 2000 and has been active ever since. The types of visits are fun, interesting and educational with an annual social event, normally in an historic building. Our participants vary from interested SPAB members wanting to enhance their knowledge of historic buildings to professionals using the visits as part of their continuing professional development programme.

Booking Terms & Conditions

Accessibility: this visit is only suitable for able bodied persons who can climb the 157 steps of a metal spiral staircase. The booking process requires the acceptance of a disclaimer to thsi effect.