Jumbo, Colchester, Essex Giclée Travel Poster

Giclée travel poster of Colchester's iconic Grade II* listed 'Jumbo' Water Tower.

Jumbo is right in the middle of Colchester, next to the Balkerne Gate (the largest surviving Roman gateway in Britain) and the Mercury Theatre, and makes up a recognisable and much-beloved part of Colchester's skyline - standing just over 40 metres tall; at the time, it was England's second-largest water tower. This tower's height was controversial at the time - indeed, the name 'Jumbo; was first deployed as an insult by local Reverend John Irvine, who was upset that the new water tower overshadowed his church (which has since moved out of the building, and the site has been taken over by Colchester Arts Centre.)

Jumbo operated as awater tower from 1883 through to 1987, when it was sold off. Since then, the tower has been left vacant, though plans to find a new use for it are underway. Whatever the future holds for Jumbo, the Grade II* listed water tower will no doubt continue to be beloved by the people of Colcheter.

Love Colchester? Looking for Colchester gifts? We've also illustrated the famous Colchester Castle.

This Essex illustration by Rob Wisdom is a high quality Giclée travel poster on cotton-rich fine art paper. For our premium art print of Jumbo Water Tower, please click here.

12x16" print shown. Cropping and title position (if applicable) may differ slightly on 'A' size prints.