London Museum of Water and Steam

About the museum

The museum occupies the former Kew Bridge Waterworks, built in 1838 by the Grand Junction Water Works Company to supply clean water to a fast-growing London. The pumping station kept working until 1944 and housed some of the most advanced steam engines of its time.

The site opened to the public in the 1970s as the Kew Bridge Steam Museum and was renamed the London Museum of Water & Steam in 2014. It is run by an independent charity. Many of the engines have been restored and are steamed on special weekend events, and the museum describes its collection as the largest of stationary steam pumping engines in the world.

Visitors can see towering Cornish engines and rotative machines in the Steam Hall, along with tools, models and archives about Victorian engineers. Family attractions include the Splash Zone play area, the Waterworks Gallery and a small steam railway with the locomotive Thomas Wicksteed on selected weekends. The Great Engine House with the 90-inch and 100-inch engines is currently closed for renovation.

Highlights

• Largest collection of stationary steam pumping engines
• Cornish beam engines and rotative engines
• Steam Up weekends with engines in steam
• Splash Zone play area and Waterworks Gallery
• Waterworks railway with the locomotive Thomas Wicksteed

Permanent exhibitions

• Steam Hall – Restored rotative and Cornish steam engines from the waterworks, some of them run on special steaming days.
• Waterworks Gallery – Play-based displays on the science of water for younger visitors.

Founded

1975

Operated by

London Museum of Water & Steam (charity no. 269285)

Admission & discounts

Event admission, including Steam Up days, is priced separately. Carer tickets are sold at the front desk on the day with proof of disability.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

A step-free route covers most of the museum, and seating is available. The Great Engine House, the beam floors and the community exhibition are not step-free. Disabled parking can be reserved by email at least 48 hours ahead. The 100-inch engine has no barrier, so blind and partially sighted visitors can touch it. The museum does not list a Changing Places toilet on site; the nearest is at Kew Gardens.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

The Splash Zone and Waterworks Gallery are aimed at young visitors, and trails and crafts run at weekends and in school holidays. A buggy park is in the shop area; baby changing and potty-training seats are in all toilets. Children’s birthday parties are offered.

Getting there & parking

The museum recommends coming without a car if possible.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Stokers Cafe, open the same hours as the museum. Picnics are allowed in the garden and the Splash Zone courtyard. Spare clothes and nappies can be borrowed from the front desk.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 150 guests.

The Steam Hall holds up to 150 standing, 100 theatre or long-table style and 85 cabaret style. Daytime meeting rooms can be booked separately.

Plan your visit