Prickwillow Museum

About the museum

The museum stands in the old pumping station at Prickwillow, a few miles east of Ely, in the low-lying Fens of Cambridgeshire. This land was once marshy and has been kept dry only by centuries of drainage, first with windmills, then with steam and later with large diesel engines housed in pumping stations like this one. It was previously known as the Prickwillow Drainage Engine Museum.

The displays explain how the Fens were drained and how the landscape changed as a result. They also tell the story of the engineers and pump attendants who looked after these engines, often in remote and isolated places.

The main attraction is a collection of large diesel engines that have been restored to working order, including machines by Mirrlees, Allen, Ruston and Hornsby and Vickers Petter. Visitors can see how internal combustion, two-stroke and four-stroke cycles, blast injection and pressure charging work, and a rising walkway gives views of the engines. On engine run days the machines are started up for visitors.

The museum is run by volunteers as a registered educational charity. Heritage Lottery Fund money and support from the Ouse Washes Landscape Partnership helped to develop it, and it welcomes school and group visits.

Highlights

• Restored large diesel drainage engines in working order
• Mirrlees blast injection engine and Allen two-stroke and four-stroke engines
• Displays on how the Fens were drained
• Engines started up on the second Sunday of each month in season
• Rising walkway with viewing points over the engines

Permanent exhibitions

• Restored diesel drainage engines – Large diesel pumping engines restored to working order, shown with explanations of how internal combustion engines work.
• Draining the Fens – Displays on the drainage of the Fens, its pumping stations and the people who operated them, from wind and steam to diesel power.

Operated by

Prickwillow Engine Museum CIO (registered charity no. 1185003)

Admission & discounts

Special event days may have different admission charges. Payment by cash, cheque, debit or credit card (not American Express).

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• 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

Most of the museum can be reached in a wheelchair, and a rising walkway gives viewing points of the engines. A hearing aid loop is available. If the hardcore car park is hard to cross, phone ahead to arrange entry through the front emergency exit door, where there is a parking space nearby. Well-behaved dogs on leads and assistance dogs are welcome, but engine run days are probably unsuitable for dogs because of the noise.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

Baby changing facilities are available. Children up to 16 are admitted free with an adult, and the museum offers school sessions.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on the B1382 at the eastern edge of Prickwillow village, by the bridge over the River Lark, a few miles from Ely, Lakenheath and Mildenhall. Ely Cycle Hire is mentioned by the museum for visitors who arrive by train.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Café with hot and cold drinks, light snacks and ice creams; shop with gifts, books and DVDs. Wi-Fi is available, and iPads can be borrowed for more information on the collection. Accessible toilets and baby changing facilities. A riverbank suitable for picnics and moorings for boats are nearby.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

The main hall and extension areas can be hired when the museum is closed to the public, with refreshments and buffet meals by arrangement. Conferences and meetings with lunch or buffet options are available on request. Hall hire bookings: 01353 720737.

Plan your visit