Crofton Beam Engines

About the museum

Crofton Pumping Station was built in 1807-9 to lift water to the highest point of the Kennet and Avon Canal, which links London and Bristol. It is a rare survivor of the technology that let British engineers drain mines and supply towns and cities with water. The station was rebuilt and modernised several times during its working life.

One of the two original engines survives. Its 1812 Boulton and Watt beam engine, rebuilt in 1844 as a high-pressure Cornish-type engine, ran until 1958 because water was still needed for farms and railway locomotives even after the canal had fallen derelict. It is the oldest working beam engine in the world that is still in its original location and able to do the job it was installed for.

The Kennet and Avon Canal Trust bought the redundant pumping station in 1968, and by 1971 both engines had been restored to full working order. Volunteers have demonstrated them to the public ever since. The site is run entirely by volunteers, and in 2018 National Lottery Heritage Fund support paid for conservation work and better visitor facilities.

Highlights

• 1812 Boulton and Watt beam engine, the oldest working one in its original place
• Second beam engine of 1846 by Harvey of Hayle
• Coal-fired boilers and boiler house
• Steam Experience day in which visitors drive the engine
• Setting on the Kennet and Avon Canal

Permanent exhibition

• The beam engines and boiler house – The 1812 Boulton and Watt engine, the 1846 Harvey of Hayle engine and the coal-fired boilers that powered them, shown by volunteers.

Operated by

Kennet and Avon Canal Trust

Admission & discounts

On Tuesday work days and winter Engineering Open Days entry is free, with a suggested donation of £5 per person. Prices for the summer steaming days were not published at the time of research. Car park charges apply on open days: £1.50 for up to 2 hours or £3 all day.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The main entrance, boiler house, admissions desk, accessible toilet and grounds can be reached step-free, but the path down from the car park to the engine house is sloped and may not suit all wheelchair users. Only the ground floor boiler house is step-free; there is no step-free access to the two upper levels of the engine house. The second entrance from the canal towpath uses 30 external steps. The car park has two accessible spaces less than 50 metres from the entrance, and a drop-off point at the main entrance. Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the site.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

There is a baby changing table in the accessible toilet. The site is a working industrial building with stairs and uneven grounds.

Getting there & parking

The site is in rural north-east Wiltshire between Great Bedwyn and Burbage, about six miles south of Marlborough. The best route for large vehicles and coaches is via Great Bedwyn. Boats can moor by Lock 60, and the site lies on National Cycle Route 4.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available

The Smithy Tea Room serves hot and cold drinks and cakes on steaming days only (10:30 to 16:00). Visitors may bring a picnic to the grounds. Guidebooks are on sale on open days. Dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds but not in the boiler and engine houses.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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