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Wednesday, 19 August 2026

New book: The Tower on the Hill: The Story of Water in Swanage

David Hawkings is not simply a local enthusiast who has produced a book about the Swanage water tower. He has been researching water-supply history for decades.

His new book tells us how water infrastructure and sanitation helped transform Swanage from a quarrying community into a Victorian resort, including the ambitions to attract wealthy London visitors. 


His earlier book, Water from the Moor: An Illustrated History of the Plymouth, Stonehouse and Devonport Leats, was published in 1987. It is a 96-page historical study of the complex water-supply system serving Plymouth and its surrounding towns.


He is also a trustee of Swanage Museum


David J. Hawkings, The Tower on the Hill: The Story of Water in Swanage

ISBN 9780857101396, hardback, published 24 February 2026 by PiXZ Books


You can buy it without Amazon

Hatchards – The Tower on the Hill — £12.99. Normally dispatched within two weeks. There is currently no shop stock.

Foyles – The Tower on the Hill — £12.99. Again, they can order it from the publisher and quote about two weeks.


Or buy it from the Swanage Museum shop.





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