Step into our industrial and social history
From a time when
Steam was king
step back in time for summer
Looking for Summer Holiday activities for all the family?
Discover the sights, sounds and smells of a working steam powered Pumping Station.
Write the dates in the diary so you’re ready to pack the car (or rucksack) and grab the whole family to discover the sights, sounds and smells of a working steam powered Pumping Station.
Remaining Steaming Dates
September: Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th
We’re also open for non-steaming opening on all other Saturdays and Sundays until Sunday 17th September.
To book your Steaming Day tickets, head straight to our Whats On page
LOTS OF SPACE FOR PICNICS IN THE GROUNDS
Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy overlooking the canal and railway. Please note our picnic area is not under cover.
Access to the site is via the main gate opposite the car park. No access from the lower canal entrance at lock 60 due to ongoing works by the Canal and River Trust.
REFRESHMENTS on Steaming Days
While you are at Crofton on a Steaming Day don’t forget to visit the pop-up refreshment tent.
We will be serving tea, coffee and a variety of soft drinks as well as cakes, biscuits and other delights to keep you sustained while visiting the engines and meeting our wonderful volunteers.
Open 10:30 to 16:00
All proceeds from the pop-up will be donated to Crofton, helping ensure it’s future.
Explore Crofton’s Engines
A team of dedicated volunteers and staff looks after the whole site. They do that to preserve this amazing landmark from the past in order that you, and future generations, can see how our great, pioneering engineers tackled early developments in motive power and pumping technology. When you visit, you will see why Crofton is regarded as such a gem in the heritage of UK engineering.
Get Involved
Crofton is powered by volunteers! Come and join our friendly team at Crofton Beam Engines, and help to show our wonderful engines and beautiful site to our visitors. We have a wide range of volunteer roles, so there is a task waiting for you whatever your background. Roles include Front of house and tour guides, Engineering, Ground work, Building Maintenance, and Visitor Services.
Latest News
heritage open days – in person tours
Heritage Open Days – In Person Tours Sunday 17th September 2023 Non-Steaming Event. free Entry. Join a guided tour on Sunday 17th September to discover more about the industrial past of Crofton’s corner of Wiltshire for FREE! Built between 1807 and 1809, the Pumping Station supplied water to the highest point of the Kennet &…
An Engineering Update
An Engineering Update – Cancelled Monday 28th August Steaming Since a mechanical fault to the boiler feed pump ceased operations at our August Steaming weekend, our volunteers have been investigating the problem. The boiler water feed valve next to the boiler acts as a non-return valve. When the pumps are working water is fed through…
Tesco grant helps Crofton Beam Engines tell its story
Tesco Grant Helps Crofton Beam Engines Tell its Story Bags of Help is one of Tesco’s local community grant scheme where the money raised by the carrier bag charge in Tesco stores is used to fund community projects. Following a vote from customers at Tesco’s Marlborough store, The Kennet and Avon Canal Trust was fortunate…
Read more Tesco grant helps Crofton Beam Engines tell its story
Visit by narrowboat
and stop by on the
Kennet & Avon Canal
A Word from our Patron Phil Harding
“I’ve known Crofton all my life and still enjoy visiting this special place. Crofton is important both as part of Wiltshire’s social history and internationally as a working steam pumping station”
