The Corby 'Jubilee' Water Tower Trail

Willow Brook Road Water Tower, romance in concrete

Corby Village and the wider New Town are literally awash with historic buildings and unique architectural features, many of which will undoutably be of interest to our broad-based readership of pub tickers, pub enthusiasts, and err... other pub-going types. Not all of them come with a bar of course, but most are within easy striking distance of refreshment at a nearby pub. Because nobody’s suggesting a beer-free excursion here. No-no!…

Tourist attractions like the unique Corby Candle Monument and the near-famous Weldon Roman Gold Half-Coin are already well known and hardly need any more promotion on here, but what if I were to tell you that Corby is home to the UK's 1st National Collection of Water Towers!... What-wait!... Really?

Well... no! But it could be, and given the sheer number and variety of fine examples spread across the town, there's a strong argument to suggest it certainly should be. Judge for yourself with the help of this handy mini-guide that I’ve cobbled together in between pub visits. As walking trails go, these impressive structures are quite spread out, so I wouldn't recommend attempting them all in one day unless assisted by a designated driver. Please don't try and touch the towers though, that way lies trespass notices and the potential for a lengthy overnight chat with the local constabulary. These are working monuments on private land, so enjoy the classic 20th Century design from a safe and legal distance, and then get yourself to the pub.

1. Willow Brook Road Water Tower

 

Corby's most impressive, and certainly one of its tallest 1960's water towers. Not to be confused with the equally impressive Willowbrook Water Tower in Houston Texas. Or the one of the same name in Illinois. This tower achieved notoriety last year when an activist projected an explicit message onto the tower, a message aimed at Prime Minister Boris Johnson ahead of the COP26 meeting in Glasgow. Probably too explicit to reproduce here, and besides, I don't actually know what it said. The tower has recently been netted ahead of works and may be getting a lick of paint soon, so I'd advise you to get there quick if you want to catch it in its original 'Vintage Concrete' colour scheme. Apparently there's a Bench Mark of some kind on the steps.

Pub Recommendation: Easily visible from the Shire Horse on Willow Brook Road, in fact you could probably just view it from the Lounge if the weather turns a bit jippy.

2. Uppingham/Rockingham Road Water Tower

Octagonal beauty located on the very edge of Corby. Of some age I'd say, and possibly associated with the nearby Rockingham Castle. Our legion of local Bench Mark fans will of course be keen to get a look at the Cut Mark at the base of this tower. Other folk will be equally keen to get away from the busy road and find themselves a pint.

Pub Recommendation: Downhill to the Sondes Arms in Rockingham village is one option, though bear in mind it's steeply uphill all the way back. Alternatively you could pop into the Rockingham Forest Hotel Bar, or on match days the cosy Steelman Club at nearby Corby Town Football Club.

3. Ernest Wright House Water Tank - Willow Brook Road

It's not all massive Anglian Water statement pieces on this trail, let's not forget the little ones too. This impressive iron Water Tank is just a short walk from the mighty Willow Brook Road Tower itself, and well worth the diversion.

Pub Recommendation: The Shire Horse again, assuming you actually left it.

4. Water Tower Roundabout - Tanfields Grove

Located in the centre of residential housing, this attractively whitewashed, somewhat squat tower creates its own mini traffic island on Tanfields Grove. Relatively close to the town centre and village, this is one of the easiest towers for the tourist to visit. Needless to say there's a Cut Mark somewhere on the base of the tower, but I couldn't find the damn thing.

Pub Recommendation: Not too far from the Everard Arms in one direction, The Raven in t'other, take your pick.

5. Beanfield Water Towers - Uppingham Road

Far and away Corby's most famous water towers, not least because they're on the busy main road that runs from the iconic BP Garage to Kettering Town. You really can't miss them. Owners Anglian Water seem to be quite proud of this pair, and with good reason I'd say. Painted a striking white, they're like a pair of War of the Worlds tripods (albeit with many more legs) striding across the surrounding arable land. A huge and impressive talking point for everyone that drives on this section of road, which is probably the safest way to view them given that there's no pedestrian access.

Beanfield No.1, and the later Beanfield No.2, along with similar towers in Desborough and Rothwell, were used to bounce lasers beams off as part of an art installation I managed to miss back in 2011. If you only have time for one Corby Water Tower on your visit, make it these two. Both 'Rivet' and 'Flagstaff' Bench Marks can be found on these towers, or at least they could if you had safe and legal access to them.

Pub Recommendation: The two towers can just about be seen over rooftops from the Knights Lodge pub, and are within walking distance of The Phoenix.

Trail Update - 19/02/22

Water Tower fans, and Corby Jubilee Water Tower Trail completists in particular, will be delighted to know... there is another! In fact there's two others. Two impressive water towers in the Corby area I negligently failed to include in the extremely popular original trail, this despite them being in clear-ish view for all to see, except me, obvs...

Thanks to Darren Smith who kindly brought them to my attention, I can now add two Water Towers on the old Corby Steelworks site, neither of which are particularly accessible but both can be viewed without too much difficulty from main roads around the town. Enjoy, though pub recommendations are hard to suggest given that they're nowhere near any.

6. Phoenix Parkway Water Tower

Double bonus industrial architectural interest from visiting this sturdy example given that it's best viewed from the fantastic Corby Candle Monument on Phoenix Parkway. Admire it over the spiked steel railings, or for the ultimate in viewing pleasure feel free to scuttle up the grass bank where you'll get to see across the old Steelworks site and admire the attractive settling pond at the tower base.

7. Weldon Road Water Tower

Not actually located on Weldon Road, but this is one of the very few places you'll get a good look at this somewhat utilitarian tower. In fact the very best place for viewing is the main entrance to Tata Steel, better still from the short road bridge as it goes over the rail line. Just pretend you've taken a wrong turning like I did, you won't get past security onto the main site anyway, and nor would you want to. Anyway, there it is, maybe take binoculars.