So I was browsing LeicesterVillages.co.uk looking for some lovely explorable architecture, when I read:
“6 former filter beds, water tank with gazebo and steps of 1896 by Hawkesley of London. Granite rubble stone, dressed stone, blue brick and lead. Series of 6 polygonal filter beds, symmetrically placed about an hexagonal covered, partly sunken, draw-off tank with elaborate balustrade and central gazebo in Renaissance style. From pumping house forecourt, a short flight of stone steps with side parapets, leads down north-eastwards to area laid out like a grand formal garden.”
“2 flights of stone steps with similar balustrades lead up to a bitumen covered top of tank. Principal piers have carved Renaissance obelisks on top. In centre of tank, an octagonal open stone gazebo on stone plinth with 8 Doric Roman columns supporting arches, entablature and lead dome with carved stone lantern on top. Gazebo covers central air vent.”
It was those last magical four words which caught my eye: “Covers central air vent”. The tank was underground, and Victorian - I had to get down there.
So I jumped in my car, picked up a Priority 7, Alex76, and James from Kettering; and a few hours later we rocked up at said gazebo.
The tank is stunning. Built entirely from Leicester blue bricks, the Victorians certainly knew what they were doing when it comes to cool underground vaults.
Jus‘ chillin‘
The main building (pump house) does deserve a mention. The building is part of a complex of structures at the site, completed in 1896 to the designs of architects J B Everard and Pick. Incidentally they are still in practice today, and I even had an interview with them a few years ago! The pump machinery was made by Easton, Anderson and Coolden Limited, Engineers, of London and Erith, and is dated 1895. This is it in 1896 weeks after it was finished:
Here it is now, still beautiful:
Cheeky Selfie to finish!
Additional thanks to MD for the info. Thanks for looking.
“6 former filter beds, water tank with gazebo and steps of 1896 by Hawkesley of London. Granite rubble stone, dressed stone, blue brick and lead. Series of 6 polygonal filter beds, symmetrically placed about an hexagonal covered, partly sunken, draw-off tank with elaborate balustrade and central gazebo in Renaissance style. From pumping house forecourt, a short flight of stone steps with side parapets, leads down north-eastwards to area laid out like a grand formal garden.”
“2 flights of stone steps with similar balustrades lead up to a bitumen covered top of tank. Principal piers have carved Renaissance obelisks on top. In centre of tank, an octagonal open stone gazebo on stone plinth with 8 Doric Roman columns supporting arches, entablature and lead dome with carved stone lantern on top. Gazebo covers central air vent.”
It was those last magical four words which caught my eye: “Covers central air vent”. The tank was underground, and Victorian - I had to get down there.
So I jumped in my car, picked up a Priority 7, Alex76, and James from Kettering; and a few hours later we rocked up at said gazebo.
The tank is stunning. Built entirely from Leicester blue bricks, the Victorians certainly knew what they were doing when it comes to cool underground vaults.
Jus‘ chillin‘
The main building (pump house) does deserve a mention. The building is part of a complex of structures at the site, completed in 1896 to the designs of architects J B Everard and Pick. Incidentally they are still in practice today, and I even had an interview with them a few years ago! The pump machinery was made by Easton, Anderson and Coolden Limited, Engineers, of London and Erith, and is dated 1895. This is it in 1896 weeks after it was finished:
Here it is now, still beautiful:
Cheeky Selfie to finish!
Additional thanks to MD for the info. Thanks for looking.
