Cistern On Slopes Of The Verne At Ngr Sy 6907 7344

The cistern on the slopes of The Verne, dating from around 1880, is a water supply structure with a grand entrance built into the hillside. It is constructed from heavy rusticated rock-faced Portland stone, featuring drafted edges on the stone blocks. The cistern includes a stone-vaulted chamber measuring approximately 2.5 meters by 3.5 meters and standing 3 meters high, accessed through a square opening adorned with voussoirs that also have drafted edges. The lower half of this opening is partially blocked by a concrete block wall.

The approach to the cistern is flanked by raking retaining walls that follow the steep incline of the hill. Inside, the chamber has a low segmental vault, a plinth, and three iron tie bars. At both ends of the chamber, there are shaped recesses cut into the walls, likely intended to accommodate former pumping machinery. This cistern was an important installation prior to the introduction of piped water to the Island, as it served a tank located slightly lower on the slope, which is currently hidden by undergrowth and was inaccessible during the survey in June 1991.