Museum of Power

About the museum

The museum occupies the former Langford pumping station, built for the Southend Waterworks Company in the 1920s. The waterworks complex was finished in 1927 and opened officially in 1929, and it pumped water with steam engines until 31 October 1963, when electric pumps took over. The tall chimney was pulled down in 1966, and in 1970 the company merged into the Essex Water Company.

The plan for a museum on the site was announced in 1996 and approved in December that year. The main exhibit is the engine known as Marshall, a vertical triple-expansion steam engine built by the Lilleshall Company in 1931. It is the only one of the three original engines to survive, and volunteers restored it to working order. The pump house and engine are protected as scheduled monuments.

Around the engine house the museum shows a range of engines, workshop machinery and displays on water supply and the Industrial Revolution. On event days visitors can also ride the Langford and Beeleigh Miniature Railway and see the Astaria model village. A refurbishment project was completed in early 2024, and the museum is run as a charity with volunteers.

Highlights

• The 1931 Lilleshall steam engine “Marshall”
• Former Southend Waterworks pumping station of 1927
• Collection of stationary engines, belt-driven workshop machinery and pumps
• The Water Story display on the water cycle and sewage treatment
• Miniature railway and Astaria model village on event days

Permanent exhibitions

• The Lilleshall “Marshall” steam engine – A triple-expansion steam engine built in 1931, the last survivor of the three engines that pumped water at Langford; it runs on steam on many large event days.
• Museum exhibits – Engines, pumps, turbines and an Edwardian belt-driven workshop, among many other pieces of engineering heritage.
• The Water Story – Models and display boards on the water cycle, water supply and sewage treatment.

Admission & discounts

Prices apply on days that are not event days. On non-event days entry to the grounds and tea room is free and only the museum charge applies. Prices for event days and Lilleshall steam days are listed on the What’s On pages. On the first Sunday of the month the model village is open and entry to the site and tea room is free, with a charge for the museum.

Accessibility

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

Dogs are welcome indoors and in the grounds if kept on leads. The museum does not publish accessibility details and asks visitors to phone for advice.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

A family ticket is available for the museum and for the miniature railway, and the railway and model village run on Thursdays in school holidays. Children aged 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult on the railway.

Getting there & parking

Leave the A12 at Junction 20A (northbound) or 20B (southbound), then follow the brown signs from Hatfield Peverel and the signs to Maldon.

Amenities & dining

• Café

The Steam Pump Tea Room serves breakfasts until lunchtime, then lunches and snacks, with cakes and hot drinks; a reduced menu runs on event days.

Events & venue rental

The tea room can be hired for private functions such as parties and wedding receptions.

Plan your visit