Title: Jumbo Water Tower in Colchester - Tours and Activities | Expedia.ca [Jumbo Water Tower Hotels](https://expedia.ca/Jumbo-Water-Tower-Hotels.0-l553248634340806337-0.Travel-Guide-Filter-Hotels)[Flights to Colchester](https://expedia.ca/Cheap-Flights-To-Colchester.d4609.Travel-Guide-Flights)[Things to do in Colchester](https://expedia.ca/Things-To-Do-In-Colchester.d4609.Travel-Guide-Activities)[Jumbo Water Tower Car Rentals](https://expedia.ca/Car-Rentals-In-Jumbo-Water-Tower.d553248634340806337.Car-Rental-Guide)[Colchester Vacation Packages](https://expedia.ca/Colchester.d4609.Destination-Travel-Guides) # Jumbo Water Tower Tours and Activities ![Colchester showing a city and heritage architecture](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/59000/59518-Jumbo-Water-Tower.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Colchester showing heritage architecture](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/59000/59520-Jumbo-Water-Tower.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Colchester showing heritage architecture and a garden](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/59000/59519-Jumbo-Water-Tower.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Jumbo Water Tower which includes heritage architecture](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/59000/59517-Jumbo-Water-Tower.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Jumbo Water Tower](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/59000/59516-Jumbo-Water-Tower.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ## Visit Jumbo Water Tower Activities [Colchester travel guide](https://expedia.ca/Colchester.dx4609) --- --- #### Take pictures of this Victorian structure and admire the 19th-century engineering on what was once the second-largest water tower in the country. The Jumbo Water Tower was the second-largest water tower in the U.K. at the time of its construction. Take your camera to capture the building, which has become a local icon. The tower isn’t open to the public, but you can still take pictures of its exterior. Construction on the Jumbo Water Tower began in 1882 and took 20 months to complete. Over 1.2 million bricks weighing 819 tons were used to make the tower, which stands 131 feet (40 meters) high. Its dominating presence didn’t please everyone and the nickname Jumbo wasn’t a term of endearment. Reverend John Irvine, who complained that the towering structure was built so close to the rectory at the St. Mary church, used to compare it to an elephant from the London Zoo. The tower was decommissioned after 105 years, but is still a site of historical interest. Look up at its facade and admire the engineering work carried out over a century ago. The high brick arches and gently sloping roof are typical of the Victorian period. The tower has 157 iron steps to a height of 116 feet (35 meters). Imagine how World War II soldiers stood here looking out for enemy planes in the 1940s. Note the upper parapet, which was a later addition and was placed here in 1908. Jumbo Water Tower is located at Balkerne Gate at the western end of Colchester High Street. It is easy walking distance from most of Colchester’s other main attractions and visitor center. There is pay-and-display parking nearby. ## Plan a trip to see Jumbo Water Tower Price found within the past 48 hours. Click for updated prices. ![White house](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/112000000/111340000/111336000/111335972/264a0599_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) ### White house CA $1,186 per person Feb 21 - Feb 26 found 23 hours ago Roundtrip non-stop flight included Toronto (YTO) to London (STN) 6.8/10 (3 reviews) ![OYO The Rivenhall Hotel in Witham, Chelmsford](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/40000/34400/34315/8fe91f23_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) ### OYO The Rivenhall Hotel in Witham, Chelmsford CA $1,230 per person Feb 16 - Feb 22 found 1 day ago Roundtrip flight included Calgary (YYC) to London (STN) 6.6/10 (219 reviews) nice room, helpful staff Reviewed on Nov 27, 2025 ![Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted Airport](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/2000000/1070000/1069100/1069031/edea1174_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) ### Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted Airport CA $1,216 per person Feb 24 - Mar 2 found 2 hours ago Roundtrip non-stop flight included Montreal (YUL) to London (STN) 8.2/10 Very Good! (2,515 reviews) Booked on the quick as missed a flight! Staff were sympathetic and efficient. Our room was comfortable and the facilities were good. It made a stressful situation a lot less painful. Reviewed on Dec 13, 2025 ### Popular places to visit ![Colchester showing theatre scenes and interior views](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/59000/59574-Mercury-Theatre.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Mercury Theatre Enjoy a play, a musical performance or some hilarious comedy at Colchester’s premier performing arts venue, which also has a children’s program. [](https://expedia.ca/Mercury-Theatre-Colchester.d553248621532509185.Vacation-Attraction) ![Colchester which includes a cemetery, heritage architecture and a castle](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/59000/59553-Colchester-Arts-Centre.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Colchester Arts Centre Come and see an event at Colchester’s most diverse entertainment venue, housed in a 13th-century church. [](https://expedia.ca/Colchester-Arts-Centre-Colchester.d553248621532491022.Vacation-Attraction) ![Colchester showing heritage architecture](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/59000/59602-Colchester.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Colchester Town Hall 4/5(3 reviews) Colchester’s Baroque town hall, a heritage-listed building with Victorian tower and antique organ, has been the focus of civil duties for over 800 years. [](https://expedia.ca/Colchester-Town-Hall-Colchester.d553248634340810372.Vacation-Attraction) ![Colchester which includes modern architecture](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/59000/59582-First-Site.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### firstsite As one of the U.K.’s premier modern art galleries, this is a great place to see temporary exhibitions, attend art classes and listen to expert talks. [](https://expedia.ca/Firstsite-Colchester.d553248621533025669.Vacation-Attraction) ![Colchester Castle Museum](https://mediaim.expedia.com/destination/2/7b14aef9d0e006835761b7bdb2a5fd97.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Colchester Castle Museum You can study the exhibits at Colchester Castle Museum, a museum with a storied past, during your travels to Colchester. Savor the lively bars and top-notch restaurants while in town. [](https://expedia.ca/Colchester-Castle-Museum-Colchester.d6081367.Vacation-Attraction) ![Colchester Natural History Museum featuring interior views](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/59000/59510-Colchester-Natural-History-Museum.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Colchester Natural History Museum Learn about the mammoths, hippos and crocodiles that used to live in the Colchester area and examine a wealth of natural specimens at this excellent, free museum. [](https://expedia.ca/Colchester-Natural-History-Museum-Colchester.d6081371.Vacation-Attraction) --- ## Best Lodging Options Near Jumbo Water Tower ## Check availability on hotels close to Jumbo Water Tower [Tonight ](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248634340806337&startDate=2025-12-14&endDate=2025-12-15)[Dec 14 - Dec 15](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248634340806337&startDate=2025-12-14&endDate=2025-12-15) [Tomorrow night ](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248634340806337&startDate=2025-12-15&endDate=2025-12-16)[Dec 15 - Dec 16](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248634340806337&startDate=2025-12-15&endDate=2025-12-16) [Next weekend ](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248634340806337&startDate=19%2F12%2F2025&endDate=21%2F12%2F2025)[Dec 19 - Dec 21](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248634340806337&startDate=19%2F12%2F2025&endDate=21%2F12%2F2025) ![St Nicholas Hotel](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/32000000/31580000/31572600/31572580/e9b6d553_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### St Nicholas Hotel High Street St Nicholas Hotel Colchester England [](https://expedia.ca/Colchester-Hotels-St-Nicholas-Hotel.h31572580.Hotel-Information) ![The George of Colchester](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/30000/28400/28302/afc8bf06_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### The George of Colchester 116 High Street Colchester England [](https://expedia.ca/Colchester-Hotels-The-George-Of-Colchester.h28302.Hotel-Information) ![The North Hill Hotel](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/24000000/23250000/23244400/23244369/a08549da_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### The North Hill Hotel 51 NORTH HILL Colchester England [](https://expedia.ca/Colchester-Hotels-North-Hill-Hotel.h23244369.Hotel-Information) ![Colchester Boutique Hotel](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/13000000/12740000/12732900/12732855/a972497c_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Colchester Boutique Hotel 4-6 North Hill Colchester England [](https://expedia.ca/Colchester-Hotels-Colchester-Boutique-Hotel.h12732855.Hotel-Information) ![Brook Red Lion Hotel](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/910000/901000/900905/0fbde0af_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Brook Red Lion Hotel High Street Colchester England [](https://expedia.ca/Colchester-Hotels-Brook-Red-Lion-Hotel.h900905.Hotel-Information) ![GreyFriars](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/13000000/12930000/12921400/12921400/0dc3be5a_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### GreyFriars High Street Colchester England [](https://expedia.ca/Colchester-Hotels-GreyFriars.h12921400.Hotel-Information) ![Colchester Studio Suites](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/113000000/112360000/112359000/112358962/1e7318e4_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Colchester Studio Suites 23 St Peter's St Colchester England [](https://expedia.ca/Colchester-Hotels-Colchester-Studio-Suites.h112358962.Hotel-Information) ![Best Western The Rose & Crown Hotel](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/190000/184500/184464/08a40d8d_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Best Western The Rose & Crown Hotel East Street Colchester England [](https://expedia.ca/Colchester-Hotels-Best-Western-The-Rose-Crown-Hotel.h184464.Hotel-Information) ![Premier Inn Colchester Town Centre](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/14000000/13470000/13462600/13462567/016e1a02_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Premier Inn Colchester Town Centre 30 St Peter Street Colchester England [](https://expedia.ca/Colchester-Hotels-Premier-Inn-Colchester-Town-Centre.h13462567.Hotel-Information) [See all 721 properties in Jumbo Water Tower](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.Hotels.Package®ionId=553248634340806337) Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. 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