The Old Water Tower, Purbeck Terrace Road, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 2DE
Official list entry
Heritage Category: Listed Building
Grade: II
List Entry Number: 1153240
Date first listed: 21-Mar-1983
List Entry Name: THE OLD WATER TOWER
Statutory Address 1: The Old Water Tower, Purbeck Terrace Road, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 2DE
Location
Statutory Address: The Old Water Tower, Purbeck Terrace Road, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 2DE
District: Dorset (Unitary Authority)
Parish: Swanage
National Grid Reference: SZ 03205 78194
Details
2. Dated 1886. Square Purbeck Stone structure in medieval military style. Three stages. The centre stage has 2 round-headed windows in the north and east faces. On the east face, between the windows, is a date stone - 1886. Above this, below the parapet, is a stone inscribed "239 ft above sea level". Immediately above this is a plain ashlar stone panel lettered "Swanage Water Works" - this is now rather faint. The top stage of the tower has 2 narrow slit windows in each face. The parapet is finished with battlements above a projecting string course. Circular projecting turret in one corner, with a seagull as weather vane. South of the tower and attached to it is a single-storey block, with Purbeck Stone walls and roof. The eaves gutters discharge into shaped stone chutes. Two round-headed windows in the south gable wall. In the east wall of this block are a large door opening and a segmental-headed window. No longer in use as a Water Tower.
THE WATER TOWER, SWANAGE
The Water Tower was built by George Burt, nephew of John Mowlem, In 1886. They were both born in Swanage and were quarrymen who made their way to London and became successful businessmen and great benefactors to Swanage. Burt and an architect friend by the name of Crickmay mapped out his dream of Durlston Park Estate that stretched south from the Ship Inn on the seafront at Swanage to the sea at Duriston Country Park (at Durlston Castle you will see the two turrets similar to the one at the corner of this tower)
George Burt wanted Swanage to have a supply of piped water and gas and the small carved lettering art the front ashlar panel of the Tower refers to various acts of Parliament pertaining to Swanage Gas and Water supply.
From the 1883 Parliamentary Archives
The 45ft high tower contained two lead lined tanks holding 5,737 & 22,0000 gallons respectively. Water was pumped to the tanks from an artesian well at Sunnydale by two 8 hp gas engines contained in the attached 'pump room to the South of the Tower.
In 1892, George Burt built a reservoir to the North of the town at Ulwell and we believe that the Water Tower simply became redundant. In 1919 a public water authority was formed and assumed the responsibility for the town's water supply.
During World War II the building was requisitioned by the war department to be used as a machine gun post and we believe that the lettering was cemented over at this time to prevent easy recognition of the location by enemy aircraft. During the ensuing years it apparently served as a storehouse for various large items such as stationary and vintage motorcycles and cars belonging to several owners. We believe it left the ownership of the Burt family in the 1950s. The Tower was assigned a Grade II listing in 1985. The previous owners bought it in 1991 and converted it to a residential house. In 2017 the existing owners purchased the property and have renovated it extensively
The cast iron gate and spike topped end railing in the garden are the remains of railings which were pulled dowit in the Hyde Park Riot of 1866 These and the bollards used for the gate posts were brought down to Swanage as
ballast for the retum jou of the stone barges The carved Toad on the gatepost is by local sculptor Jonathan Sells.
© Historic England 2023
The Old Water Tower, Purbeck Terrace Road, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 2DE
Official list entry
Heritage Category: Listed Building
Grade: II
List Entry Number: 1153240
Date first listed: 21-Mar-1983
List Entry Name: THE OLD WATER TOWER
Statutory Address 1: The Old Water Tower, Purbeck Terrace Road, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 2DE
Location
Statutory Address: The Old Water Tower, Purbeck Terrace Road, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 2DE
District: Dorset (Unitary Authority)
Parish: Swanage
National Grid Reference: SZ 03205 78194
Details
2. Dated 1886. Square Purbeck Stone structure in medieval military style. Three stages. The centre stage has 2 round-headed windows in the north and east faces. On the east face, between the windows, is a date stone - 1886. Above this, below the parapet, is a stone inscribed "239 ft above sea level". Immediately above this is a plain ashlar stone panel lettered "Swanage Water Works" - this is now rather faint. The top stage of the tower has 2 narrow slit windows in each face. The parapet is finished with battlements above a projecting string course. Circular projecting turret in one corner, with a seagull as weather vane. South of the tower and attached to it is a single-storey block, with Purbeck Stone walls and roof. The eaves gutters discharge into shaped stone chutes. Two round-headed windows in the south gable wall. In the east wall of this block are a large door opening and a segmental-headed window. No longer in use as a Water Tower.
THE WATER TOWER, SWANAGE
The Water Tower was built by George Burt, nephew of John Mowlem, In 1886. They were both born in Swanage and were quarrymen who made their way to London and became successful businessmen and great benefactors to Swanage. Burt and an architect friend by the name of Crickmay mapped out his dream of Durlston Park Estate that stretched south from the Ship Inn on the seafront at Swanage to the sea at Duriston Country Park (at Durlston Castle you will see the two turrets similar to the one at the corner of this tower)
George Burt wanted Swanage to have a supply of piped water and gas and the small carved lettering art the front ashlar panel of the Tower refers to various acts of Parliament pertaining to Swanage Gas and Water supply.
From the 1883 Parliamentary Archives
The 45ft high tower contained two lead lined tanks holding 5,737 & 22,0000 gallons respectively. Water was pumped to the tanks from an artesian well at Sunnydale by two 8 hp gas engines contained in the attached 'pump room to the South of the Tower.
In 1892, George Burt built a reservoir to the North of the town at Ulwell and we believe that the Water Tower simply became redundant. In 1919 a public water authority was formed and assumed the responsibility for the town's water supply.
During World War II the building was requisitioned by the war department to be used as a machine gun post and we believe that the lettering was cemented over at this time to prevent easy recognition of the location by enemy aircraft. During the ensuing years it apparently served as a storehouse for various large items such as stationary and vintage motorcycles and cars belonging to several owners. We believe it left the ownership of the Burt family in the 1950s. The Tower was assigned a Grade II listing in 1985. The previous owners bought it in 1991 and converted it to a residential house. In 2017 the existing owners purchased the property and have renovated it extensively
The cast iron gate and spike topped end railing in the garden are the remains of railings which were pulled dowit in the Hyde Park Riot of 1866 These and the bollards used for the gate posts were brought down to Swanage as
ballast for the retum jou of the stone barges The carved Toad on the gatepost is by local sculptor Jonathan Sells.
© Historic England 2023