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Crofton Beam Engines
Crofton Beam Engines
4.5
Temporarily closedClosed until further notice
About
Crofton Pumping Station is one of the most significant industrial heritage sites in the United Kingdom and a fascinating Grade 1 listed heritage visitor attraction visitor that invites you to step into our industrial and social history and turn back the clock to a time when steam was king. The station was built in 1807-9 to supply water to the highest point of the Kennet & Avon Canal which links London and Bristol. It is a rare survivor of the technology which enabled British engineers to drain mines and supply towns and cities with water throughout the world, and has recently undergone National Lottery Heritage Fund supported conservation and visitor facility improvement work. Please see our website for more information and to check when we are in steam. **Please note that no refreshments are available to purchase on site - please feel free to bring a picnic** No access directly from the canal tow-path. Entry to the site by the main gate (opposite the car-park) only.
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4.5
263 reviews
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3
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1
Adventurers049
Brisbane, Australia3,377 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
This is a fantastic place to visit to see the beam engines working.
Please check the website to check when they are operating.
You can get really up close to them even when they are operating.
Please check the website to check when they are operating.
You can get really up close to them even when they are operating.
Written 24 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveller 53 Wiltshire
Wiltshire239 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Went on the off chance and when I saw the car park empty I thought they might be closed but they were open!.. we had the place to ourselves and were given the most interesting guided tour by Dave.. Dave was passionate about this place and it really comes across.. He took the time to tell us the subtle differences between the two beams. This is the oldest working static steam powered beam engine in it's original housing in the world!!.. I felt lucky to be able to see it and hear an expert explaining it. Fantastic!
Written 3 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrea
Tidworth, UK1,089 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
We wanted to visit on one of the steaming weekends, they hold a few a year. We booked online to ensure we had a slot to visit, although they do sell tickets on the gate. Plenty of parking and at the moment the parking meter has a cover on it & a sign saying it is included in the ticket cost. We had a very interesting morning here, lots of friendly volunteers explaining how everything works etc. there was a pop up cafe offering hot drinks & cans of drinks and some slices of cake, reasonably priced too. You can take a picnic if you want too as well.
Written 30 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heavit
Portsmouth, UK19 contributions
Aug 2022
Went to this site today (Bank Holiday), being one of the days it is in use.
Really pleased with the visit. Beam engine was in use, and surprised at how many enthusiastic volunteers they have.
There are also outside picnic tables overlooking the Kennet & Avon canal. Even though the beam engines were in use when sitting outside you can hardly hear them. Good tour route through the system as well. Well worth a visit, and very reasonable cost also, and the best kept toilets we have seen for ages. Well done volunteers and trustees!!
Really pleased with the visit. Beam engine was in use, and surprised at how many enthusiastic volunteers they have.
There are also outside picnic tables overlooking the Kennet & Avon canal. Even though the beam engines were in use when sitting outside you can hardly hear them. Good tour route through the system as well. Well worth a visit, and very reasonable cost also, and the best kept toilets we have seen for ages. Well done volunteers and trustees!!
Written 29 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christopher D
5 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
Fabulous place to visit. The team were so very inviting and knowledgeable. The views before entrance to the engine house are.stunning. I'm going to ensure to get there on a steaming day.
Written 2 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roy H
5 contributions
Jun 2022 • Solo
Site needs to advertise that the tunnel from the canal lock to the beam engine site is closed and locked and not in use. Update site content to reflect correct opening times (weekend only) and that site cafe is now closed.
Written 21 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carolyn A
Hungerford, UK11 contributions
Apr 2022
We regularly walk to Crofton along the canal. Then enjoy a nice cup of tea and homemade cake sitting on the benches outside looking down on the boats moving about on the Kennet & Avon Canal below
Written 29 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Francis M
New Milton, UK16 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
Visited today Easter Sunday. Surprised to see on TA that’s it’s closed. It was open and working! If your interested in how clever our ancestors were this is the place to go. The sheer size of the engines and their complexity is mind blowing. The volunteer staff were excellent and knowledgeable. The displays were informative and clearly laid out. The technology timescale chart was excellent. It enabled one to appreciate how early this technology went back to and how early this pumping station was. The listing of technologies and events up to the present day put the whole thing into perspective. All in all an excellent visit to a fascinating piece of working history.
Written 18 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Louiselovestotravel
Surrey, UK18 contributions
May 2021
Dedicated staff and a very insightful experience for adults and teens alike. We spent about 1.5 hours there. They had a great Easter hunt trail. Plenty of parking opposite.
Written 12 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
South Wiltshire Branch
2 contributions
Jul 2021 • Friends
Visited with the Royal Enfield Owners Club South Wiltshire Branch.
Covid regulations were just being eased so it was not possible to steam up the engines, but still very impressive. Will return again when live steam is possible
Covid regulations were just being eased so it was not possible to steam up the engines, but still very impressive. Will return again when live steam is possible
Written 6 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alan B
Trowbridge, England, United Kingdom2 contributions
Are dogs allowed?
Crofton_Manager
Marlborough, UK
Dogs are welcome in the grounds but only access dogs are allowed inside.
Leena2310
Essex, UK17 contributions
We visited you on a non-steaming day and my husband was enthralled. Can you tell me the difference between a steaming weekend and the gala steaming weekend, please? I'm sure he would enjoy that even more. I was surprised that you didn't address this question on your website because for visitors who have to travel long distances, it's quite a relevant question. Many thanks.
Crofton_Manager
Marlborough, UK
Many thanks for your question. Our steaming days feature the Beam Engines in full operation with members of our team stationed at several points to explain the machinery and history. There is a charge to see the engines, but the grounds and cafe entrance are free. The Steam Gala is an annual event which has the engines in steam but also additional entertainment and activities and there is a charge to enter the grounds on this occasion. We also open six days per week April-October when the engines are not in steam and on these occasions timed guided tours are offered - please see our website for further details.
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Claim your listingCROFTON BEAM ENGINES: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Crofton Beam Engines
- Crofton Beam Engines is open:
- Sat - Sun 10:30 - 16:00
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- (9.64 mi) Red Lion at East Chisenbury Accommodation
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- Restaurants near Crofton Beam Engines:
- (0.63 mi) The Swan
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- (6.12 mi) Dan's at The Crown
- (6.17 mi) Tipi Tapa