Jubilee Memorial

The Jubilee Memorial is a well house constructed in 1887 as a commemoration of Queen Victoria’s Jubilee. It was designed by George Skipper and commissioned by W. E. G. Lytton-Bulwer, whose family owned Heydon Hall since the 18th century.

The well house is built of red brick and moulded Cosseyware brick, with a machine-made clay tile and lead-covered roof. It stands on a stone plinth with two steps and has a hexagonal plan. Each side features an open, moulded brick, Tudor arch, flanked by buttresses with offsets. The moulded brick eaves have fleuron decoration. A steeply pitched hexagonal pyramid roof is surmounted by a lead finial with a weather vane shaped like a two-masted sailing ship. A stone plaque, set in a moulded stone surround on the west side, bears the inscription “Erected by Colonel W. E. G. Lytton Bulwer to commemorate the Jubilee year of the reign of Her Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria 21 June 1887,” below a carved crown. Inside, the hexagonal red brick well head, with wooden coping and a lid, is protected by a wrought-iron cage.

George Skipper (1856-1948) was a prominent Norwich-based architect known for his eclectic architectural style, described by John Betjeman as the ‘Gaudi of Norwich.’ He designed nineteen listed buildings, including Sennowe Hall and a local authority housing scheme. The well house serves as the focal point of the village green in Heydon, which is surrounded by five other listed buildings, including the medieval Church of St Peter and St Paul.

The well house is designated at Grade II for its architectural interest as a high-quality example of Tudor Revival design and its association with George Skipper, and for its group value in relation to the surrounding listed buildings.