The Jumbo Project

Metal railings surround the huge red metal panels which form one side of a water tank. Round rivets, bolts and wires are seen close-up. In the background there is a view of the roof tops of Colchester.

A succession of private owners proposed schemes for Jumbo after it was decommissioned as a water tower, but none came to fruition. In 2021 the tower was leased to North Essex Heritage in an effort to save it.

This Victorian masterpiece in Colchester has been on the Buildings at Risk register for 30+ years. As a Grade II* listed building, it is one of the top 6% of the most important heritage assets in the country.

About 20 smiling people wearing high visibility jackets are seen at the bottom of a red brick building.
" Brian Light and the Balkerne Tower Trust’s successful application to upgrade Jumbo to a Grade II* listing, and their determination over many years to oppose inappropriate development has helped give North Essex Heritage the platform to drive the project forwards.

Simon Hall MBE DL
Chair of North Essex Heritage

Our plan

The Jumbo Project from North Essex Heritage will give Jumbo a sustainable future which preserves its special character. With the cooperation of its owner, Colchester City Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we have updated our plans for this special building.

North Essex Heritage has been given £250,000 development funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to work on its plans to restore Jumbo and transform it into a heritage and community space. The funding has been awarded to help us progress our plans to apply for a full National Lottery grant later.
Disused for 40 years, Jumbo is in urgent need of repair and restoration.

North Essex Heritage has leased Jumbo for 150 years with the aim of setting up a commercially viable operation to pay for the building’s upkeep once it has been restored. The building will be run as a destination venue, restaurant, visitor experience and historical interpretation space. Jumbo will be a fully accessible heritage attraction, so everyone can admire the remarkable engineering and stunning views or join in community activities.

We are listening to and engaging with our communities, assembling our team of experts, making grant applications, and developing partnerships. Essential repairs continue, and restoration work will start once major funding, planning permission and listed building consent are in place. Around £2m will be needed from public donations and fundraising.

The water tower has been adopted as a Towns Fund project and this has provided financial support to appoint a full Design Team and Project Managers to work with North Essex Heritage and Colchester City Council.

In recent years The Jumbo Project has received valuable advice and financial support from Historic England, The Architectural Heritage Fund and The Pilgrim Trust.

North Essex Heritage is the operating name of Colchester & North East Essex Building Preservation Trust.

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Sketch section showing activity throughout Jumbo

Sketch section showing activity throughout Jumbo

Image Credit: Purcell

Sketch section showing activity throughout Jumbo

Sketch section showing activity throughout Jumbo

Image Credit: Purcell

Bringing Jumbo Back to Life

Local charity North Essex Heritage has submitted a National Lottery Heritage Enterprise Grant application to save Jumbo for Colchester and the nation.

The Jumbo Project will restore the derelict Grade ll* listed building and transform it into an accessible heritage attraction. Complementary commercial uses will add to visitor revenue and so ensure financial sustainability.

Supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, UK Government grants (Town Deal) and other sources, the prospect of saving Jumbo for the future is finally within sight.

A new lift and staircase will allow everyone to access the historic water tank and engineers’ room. An additional floor will accommodate equipment and toilets. A small reception area is planned on the ground floor.

Concept storyboard of the AV experience

Image Credit: Imagemakers

Did You Know?

1,140 tonnes
Of water held (a quarter of a million gallons)
131ft 40.5m
High
157
Steps to the tank
1.25m
Locally produced bricks used to build Jumbo

An Experience Like No Other

Once reopened, Jumbo will offer events for everyone. Step inside the magnificent water tank, marvel at unrivalled views of Colchester and discover fascinating secrets of Victorian life.

An immersive audio-visual experience in the tank will tell Jumbo’s incredible story, bring our city’s history to life and showcase important contemporary issues from a unique perspective.

At the end of the show the window blinds could open to provide visitors with a new perspective on the city and for the ultimate 360° view visitors will be able to access the cupola.

Special events could include The Jumbo Christmas Experience, a major part of Colchester’s fabulous festive events.

A Very Different Day Out

Tour with your school group or community group

Eat and drink 40 metres above Colchester

Walk inside the huge water tank and explore the engineers’ room

Discover Colchester from a whole new angle

Learn about our industrial and social heritage

Visit the cupola on top of the tower

Concept storyboard of the AV experience

Image Credit: Imagemakers

Be Part of Jumbo's Future

A restored and repurposed Jumbo will be for the enjoyment of our local communities, as well as for visitors to the city. People of all ages will be able to benefit from Jumbo’s new life and enjoy this important heritage asset.

Funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund would support the transformation of Jumbo and provide for a team to deliver diverse outreach activities during the renovation period and for six months post-opening.

A series of activities has been crafted based on extensive consultation with key stakeholders including local schools, the Colchester Residents’ Panel, cultural organisations and community groups. Examples of the activities in our public programme include: Jumbo tours and talks, projects centred around art, sound and water stories, family activities and a schools’ programme.

Building a strong community of volunteers will be at the heart of the delivery of the activities. To find out more sign up to our newsletter:

Learn new skills
Join a school visit and explore STEM curriculum links
Join a school visit and explore STEM curriculum links
Train as a volunteer guide or heritage supporter
Find a new community of like-minded people centred on Jumbo

What Happens Next?

In the past few years North Essex Heritage has held a host of community events, listened to ideas for Jumbo at workshops and meetings, welcomed hundreds of people on to tours and helped teachers to deliver classes on heritage.

So far, The Jumbo Project has been supported by development funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, UK Government grants (Town Deal) and other key funders.

The Jumbo Project will cost around £10.5m and depends on a successful bid to the National Lottery Heritage Enterprise Fund. We also must find around £3.5m in match funding. North Essex Heritage has already secured around £1.5m towards this target, including from Colchester City Council and UK Government grants.

We have now submitted a planning application to Colchester City Council. Our community consultations will continue to encourage local people to be involved in shaping Jumbo’s future. You can have your say by simply talking to our Trustees and volunteers or by letting us know your views through our website: