The Water Tower built in 1853 in Ashby de la Zouch
The Water Tower in 2025 in Ashby de la Zouch

JULY 2025

The Water Tower

This grade II listed, 50 feet high Water Tower was originally built in 1853 and supplied water to Ashby de la Zouch. The Water works (comprising the Tower and reservoir) continued to supply the Town with water until 1899. By 1907, water from a reservoir near Woodville was now supplying the Town so the Water Tower was no longer operational.


The Water Tower ‘Grand design-style’ conversion into a stunning contemporary home was completed in 2016 and won the East Midlands Local Authority Building Control (LABC) Excellence Award (2017) for the best change of use or conversion of an existing building. The works were carried out by Jonathan Birkinshaw Building Services, CBP Architects Ltd and Oliver Howard.


Restoration images of the Water Tower have been supplied by Jon Wright who lives in

Tower Lodge. The design has incorporated many original features, including the buildings stonework and much of the original cast iron pipework, which was used to drain the water tank, when the building was in operation.


The dining area has double height, curved glass with South facing views and the master bedroom also has a full height curved glass wall to make the most of the vista overlooking Ashby. The property boasts an open plan living dining and kitchen area, a reception hall, master bedroom with mezzanine bathroom, plus 2 further bedrooms.


Part of the cast iron panel is built into the garden wall and is not covered by the listing; however the date on the panel (1853) was obviously part of the Waterworks.


Anthony and Jayne are the current owners and have lived in the property for 3 years (Jayne supplied the aerial photo of the Water Tower before building conversion).


The main Black and White photo (with horse and cart) dated between 1900 – 1910 is taken from corner of Hill Street looking up Kilwardby Street/Moira Road and shows the Water Tower and Cemetery Lodge (now Tower Lodge) The Lodge was built when the cemetery was laid out in 1857/58. The thatched cottage on right corner may once have been a chapel. Bob Parker and his wife were living there in 1950’s (The cottage was demolished in 1960’s).


The line drawing of the Water Tower and Tower Lodge is provided by Charlie Flanagan, Age 11, who won Ashby Arts Festival favourite building competition (Junior Category).