Built in 1898, The Tower Arts Centre was originally a Water Tower serving Winchester, until, in 1955 the Reservoir proved inadequate to the City's needs and became surplus to requirements. In 1964 the octagonal shaped Tower was purchased by Hampshire County Council for use as a place for rehearsing and performing Theatre under the control of the Department of Education .
The Centre was eventually opened in 1969 as a Drama Centre with toilets, workshop space, coffee bar, changing rooms and a gallery area.
As the Centre became more established it ventured into other art forms and began to provide activities for adults, bringing in professional Theatre companies on occasion to perform for drama groups and the general public. The rest of the programme continued to develop with the Centre introducing live music events, until in 1990 the Tower was transferred to the Department of Recreation, and then to the Arts, Countryside and Community Department.

In April 2008 the Tower became a part of Kings' School and is committed to continuing the wide range of music, theatre, comedy, art and activities for young people.