Built in 1902 for the then Lexden and Winstree Rural District Council, this water tower is now disused and for sale for residential development. Built in campanile style the tower is red brick with an iron tank painted red oxide colour and a copper pavilion roof surmounted by a wooden turret. This latter is louvered on three sides and glazed on the fourth and itself has a copper covered pavilion roof. Elevations are in Romanesque style and are symmetrical except for the addition of a door in the east elevation. All windows are wood and glazed. The door has a glazed fanlight over it with a stone hood mould on the extrados of the half-round gauged brick arch.
The absence of modern additions/alterations suggests that much of the towers internal spatial/technological configuration survives.
One of five campanile style water towers identified during the survey (SMR Nos. 15600, 15601, 155603 and 15604). These are all built to a high architectural standard; one is listed Grade II, the two earlier examples have been recommended for statutory protection and the remaining two should be retained as locally important structures.
Now disused and prior to any future development/conversion a record of the tower should be undertaken.<1>