Whitewebbs Museum of Transport

About the museum

Whitewebbs Museum of Transport grew out of the Enfield District Veteran Vehicle Society, which was formed in the 1960s by car enthusiasts who met monthly, first at a pub in Ponders End. In 1978 the members voted to set up a separate charity, the Enfield District Veteran Vehicle Trust, to build a museum and workshop, provide a club base and offer a community education and leisure facility.

After a long search the Trust bought Whitewebbs Pumping Station at auction. The building dates from 1898 and was part of the New River water scheme; it was the last of 16 such stations built in the nineteenth century. Its two steam engines once pumped water from a 200 ft well into the New River. The building was close to derelict when it was bought, and volunteers restored it while keeping features such as the iron roof bracing and the hand-operated crane. Three floors were added to the main hall, and the former boiler room now houses the café and a meeting room.

Today the museum shows historic cars, commercial vehicles and motorcycles, fire engines, bicycles and pedal cars, a model railway, First and Second World War objects and a large social history collection. The museum receives no grants or regular public funding and relies on volunteers; its main income comes from the Enfield Pageant of Motoring, held each May.

Highlights

• Victorian water pumping station of 1898 turned into a museum
• Fire engines including the 1912 steam-era engine Madeleine
• 1960 AEC Routemaster bus and the ambulance Wendy
• Motorcycles, bicycles and pedal cars over several floors
• First and Second World War memorabilia, models and toys on the top floor
• Café and outdoor fire station display

Permanent exhibition

• Vehicles and fire engines – Cars, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and fire engines, among them the 1912 fire engine Madeleine, a 1960 Routemaster bus and the ambulance Wendy.

Founded

1986

Operated by

Enfield and District Veteran Vehicle Trust

Admission & discounts

Payment by cash or card; American Express is not accepted.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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

A lift serves all floors except the basement, which is closed to lifts for health and safety reasons. Assistance dogs are welcome; other dogs are not allowed on site.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

The museum describes itself as family friendly. Children under 5 enter free, and a family ticket is available.

Getting there & parking

From Crews Hill station turn right, then left onto Cattlegate Road, follow the road round to the right and turn left onto Whitewebbs Road. From Rosewood Drive turn left onto Theobalds Park Road, then right onto Whitewebbs Road; the museum is 300 yards on the right. By road use M25 junction 25. The museum lies inside the expanded London ULEZ.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

The café is open from 10:30 to 14:00 and serves hot and cold drinks, snacks and cakes. An autojumble shop for vehicle parts is on site.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The café and meeting room can be hired: £300 for an 8-hour day or £40 per hour with a 3-hour minimum. Refreshments are available at extra cost.

Plan your visit