England's tallest water tower set to be transformed in massive £9.5m project

tallest water tower is set to reopen as a major after sitting unused for more than 30 years. The 40-metre-high Balkerne Water Tower in , also known as Jumbo, is getting a huge £9.5 million makeover. The iconic will be restored and turned into a new visitor experience, complete with a , exhibition space and panoramic views of the .

Jumbo was built in 1882 and is made from more than 1.25 million bricks and 142 tonnes of iron. At its peak, the Victorian tower could hold over 1,100 tonnes of water and served the city's growing population. It last operated in 1984 and has remained empty ever since. The restoration project is being led by , which secured a 150-year lease for the site in 2021. Since then, it has raised millions in funding to bring the tower back to life.

In January 2025, it was confirmed that Jumbo would receive £8 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

This was followed by £1.1 million in government grants and a further £550,000 from Historic England, bringing the total to nearly £9.5 million.

Speaking to BBC News, Simon Hall, chair of North Essex Heritage, said the funding "significantly closes the gap" in costs.

He added: "It will provide Colchester with a fantastic accessible heritage asset, adding to Colchester's attraction as a city and tourist destination."

According to , the project also includes improving the area around nearby Balkerne Gate, creating a new public space.

The council described Jumbo as a "beloved landmark" and said the goal is to open the venue by 2027.

Plans approved for the site describe an "immersive public exhibition" inside the old water tank, which will tell the story of Jumbo's history and engineering.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy 360-degree views of Colchester from the top of the tower.

In addition to the exhibition, the tower will host events such as weddings, private parties, banquets and ticketed live entertainment, with a capacity of up to 120 people, reports the .

Once complete, Jumbo is expected to become one of the city's key heritage attractions, joining Colchester Castle, its Roman walls and much-loved zoo.