Strange building near the M40

[Manroc]

Driving along the M40 towards Northampton from the M4, I noticed what looked like a folly on my left.

It has the appearance of an extremely large dovecote with a pointed roof and arches built into it. There did not appear to be any other buildings nearby.

Does anyone know what it is, or even why it is ?

[gary baldy]

Water tower.
Quite common in rural areas and built at a time before mains water.
Probably built to serve a farm or large country house and estate nearby (had to put it far enough away from the house as to not spoil the views!).
Could possibly be listed (many are) and hence is survival. Could even be still in use although unlikely.

[Will666]

What junction was it near?
It could of been the RAF base.

[gary baldy]

Could be will666 because Upper Heyford is quite near but to me it looks pre war as apposed to the very functional metal ones you associate with military bases.
Good idea though - you may well be right.

[Manroc]

THanks guys for your explanation. I didn't get a good look at it but it did appear rather odd.

[gary baldy]

Here you go:

http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client= public&X=455000&Y=224000&width=500 &height=300&gride=&gridn=&srec =0&coordsys=gb&db=&addr1=&addr 2=&addr3=&pc=&advanced=&local= &localinfosel=&kw=&inmap=&tabl e=&ovtype=&keepicon=&zm=0&scal e=25000&up.x=184&up.y=6

[sddsddean]

Definately a water tower, probably built in the 17th Century as it is very similar to Chesterton Windmill about 10 miles away. http://blogs.warwick.ac.uk/images/dangoodman/2005/02/11/chesterton_windmill.jpg

[follyfancier]

it is the Bucknell Water Tower and was built in 1905