The £9.5million plans to reopen England’s largest water tower as a new attraction – after closing 30 years ago
A NEW and unusual tourist attraction could soon open in an English city following a 30-year closure.
The largest municipal water tower in England, Jumbo, closed more than three decades ago.
Located on Colchester High Street in Colchester, the Grade II* listed tower was built in 1882 from 1.25million bricks and 142 tonnes.
The historic structure opened one year later in 1885, serving Colchester with clean water until 1984 when the water tower closed.
Since its closure in the mid-1980s, the water tower has suffered ‘significant deterioration’ with cracks emerging on its tanks and roof leaking.
Jumbo is set to benefit from a new lease of life when it opens as a tourist venue.
Over £10million worth of funding is being pumped into the former water tower.
The site will receive an £8million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, £1.1million from the government and £550,000 from Historic England.
Back in 2021, North Essex Heritage secured a 150-year lease for the building and outlined plans to reopen it as a heritage and events venue.
Chair of North Essex Heritage, Simon Hall, said: “It will provide Colchester with a fantastic accessible heritage asset, adding to Colchester’s attraction as a city and tourist destination.”
The huge restoration project is expected to take several years to complete.
Further details, including what will be inside the tourist venue, have yet to be revealed.
Elsewhere in the UK, other venues are set to benefit from huge renovation projects.
The British Library, the second largest library in the world, when based on books, is set for a massive £1.1billion renovation.
The huge revamp will see the size of the library increase with new learning centres and exhibition rooms added.
Another major London attraction is getting a huge renovation too.
The British Museum – one of the largest free attractions in the UK – revealed plans for its £1billion revamp.
This includes upgraded north and south entrances, which will be open by next year.
Five new water attractions opening in the UK
- Therme Manchester will have 25 swimming pools, 25 water slides and an indoor beach.
- Modern Surf Manchester will be a surfing lagoon offering lessons to both beginners and experts.
- Chessington World of Adventures Waterpark is set to have wave, infinity and spa pools as well as waterslides and cabanas.
- The Cove Resort, Southport is likely to have a water lagoon and a thermal spa with steam rooms and saunas.
- The Seahive, Deal plans to be the “surfing wellness resort” in the UK.
This includes upgraded north and south entrances, which will be open by next year.
And the Museum of London, which opened back in 1976, is reopening next year after a £437million revamp.