Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Grade II listed building. Water tower at Ramsgate Waterworks constructed between 1881-87.

Monument Types

• WATER TOWER (Post Medieval to Modern - 1861 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

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Description from record TR 36 SE 47:
Water Tower of Ramsgate Water Works. Grade II*. Shown on OS 1:2500, 1975 at TR 3714 6490. (1) Water tower. Erected 1881, Stevenson and Valon, engineers. (Plaque on door states water tower was erected in 1887). (See list for further details). (2) Listing down-graded to Grade II 17.10.88 (3)

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
In the entry for RAMSGATE SOUTHWOOD ROAD (east side) Water Tower of Ramsgate Water Works
The address, grade and description shall be amended to read
TR 3764 NW Ramsgate SOUTHWOOD ROAD (east side) 11/374 Water Tower of Ramsgate Water Works including area railings, gate-piers to west GV II
Water towe. Erected 1881, Stevenson + Valon, engineers. Red brick and terracotta with cast iron water tank 80 feet by 50, 60 feet high. Corrugated aspestos roof. Three storeys with tank on top. Five bay arcaded base, with moulded cornice to lst floor, and a paired modillion eaves cornice. Two stage tank with octagonal pattern rib-bracing. Ten bull's-eyes to 2nd floor, keyed, with brick band joining them, with moulded aprons below. Ten round headed cast-iron casements on 1st floor, keyed and moulded heads with cornice and cill bands, and raised aprons below. Ground floor arcading with moulded double order of keyed semi-circular arches, and keyed cast-iron casements. Central double boarded doors with semi-circular cast-iron fanlight. Plagues to left of door: Ramsgate Water Works This Tower and Reservoir erected 1887 Stevenson & Valon, Engineers. (et al.). The plaque to right bears the town shield and is inscribed Ramsgate Improvement Commission. Rear elevation identical but central doorway 3 bay return elevations.
Interior is divided into 5 bays by axial walls each with 3 arches on the ground and first floors. The water tank is supported on closely-spaced iron girders and covered by a roof with trusses in the form of lattice braced girders. There is a hoist well through the floors at the centre and the original staircase is against the rear wall. The pump to fill the can is now situated outside the building but originally might have been inside in the north west corner. The tank holdss 250,000 gallons.
Including front area wall, railings, gate-piers and gates to west. Circa 1881. Low stock birch wall and piers with rendered coping surmounted by arnate cast-iron railings with twisted standards. The gateway of the centre has a pair of octagonal cast iron gate-piers with moulded caps and double gates of similar design to the railings.
Source Busson, Ramsgate, 38
RAMSGATE SOUTHWOOD ROAD TR 3764 NW (east side) 11/374 Water Tower of Ramsgate Water Works GV II*
Water tower. Erected 1881, Stevenson + Valon, engineers. Red brick and terracotta with cast iron water tank 80 feet by 50, 60 feet high. Three storeys with tank on top. Five bay arcaded base, with moulded cornice to 1st floor, and paired medallion eaves cornice. Two stage tank with octagonal pattern rib-bracing. Ten roundels to 2nd floor, keyed, with brick band joining them, with moulded aprons below. Ten round headed metal casements on 1st floor, keyed and moulded heads with cornice and cill bands, and raised and fielded aprons below. Ground floor arcading with double rebate and moulded and keyed semi-circular heads, and keyed metal casements. Central double boarded doors with semi-circular metal fanlight. Plaques to left of door: Ramsgate Water Works This Tower and Reservoir erected 1887 Stevenson & Valon, Engineers. (et al.).
The plaque to right bears the town shield. Rear elevation identical with 3 bay return elevations. The water tank holds 250,000 gallons. Some internal machinery reported still. (Busson, Ramsgate, 38 ).
Listing NGR: TR3714864891 (4)

<1> R1 HMB 20-OCT-88 (OS Card Reference). SKE48932.

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1862-1875, Ordnance Survey 1:2500 1st Edition : 1862-1875, 1877/1:2500 (Map). SWX11831.

<2> DOE(HHR) Dist of Thanet 1988 168 (OS Card Reference). SKE41075.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1928-1947, Ordnance Survey 1:2500 4th edition 1928-1947, 1938/1:2500 (Map). Ske12644.

<3> DOE Letter of amendment 17.10.1988 (OS Card Reference). SKE40800.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 2009, OS MasterMap, MasterMap (Cartographic materials). SWX15710.

<4> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

Sources and further reading