We are open on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays until the end of September 2021. Please check which dates we are in steam. Please note that the only access to the site is via the main gate opposite the carpark. There is no access from the lower canal entrance at lock 60. That gate is locked. The Engineman’s Rest Café is closed until further notice.
Non-Steaming Days
There is no charge to enter the site on non-steaming days. There is a charge to visit the Station itself and view the boiler and static engines (see below). We limit the number of daily visitors on site to maintain social distancing rules and aid visitor management within our team. We have no booking system for site access on non-steaming days, this is a first come, first served system. If full capacity is reached signage will be present in the Car Park and at the Entrance Gate. Visitors may still use the Pay and Display car park even if full site capacity has been reached.
The Site opens at 10.15am. Last entry to the Station is at 3.00pm, last entry to the site is at 3:30pm and the site closes at 4.00pm. The car park gates are locked at 4.30pm on non steaming days.
| Standard | Gift Aid | |
| Adult (16+) | £5.00 | £5.50 |
| Concession (60+ & Students) | £4.50 | £5.00 |
| Child (Under 16) | Free | Free |
| Kennet and Avon Canal Trust Members | Free | Free |
| Carers accompanying full-paying adult | Free | Free |
Admission to see the boiler house and engines in 2021 is by self guided tour.
Steaming Days
There is a charge to enter the site on steaming days. Advance booking is recommended. We operate an on-line booking system with Art Tickets (from Art Fund, supporting museums and art galleries across the UK).
Guide price ‘standard’ adult £10.75 for (£12 with Gift Aid). Accompanied children under 16 are free. Discounts for Kennet and Avon Canal Trust Members and National Art Pass Holders.
Gift Aid
We invite visitors to support Crofton and the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust as a registered charity by Gift Aiding their admission.
If you pay the Gift Aid admission, which includes an extra 10% donation to the Trust, in addition to regular admission, the whole amount is treated as a donation. This then allows the Trust to reclaim 25% of the total price paid from the Government at no cost to the visitor or the organisation.
For full information about Gift Aid, please see our page about Gift Aid.
Car Park Charges
There is a tarmacked and bay-marked chargeable Pay and Display car park at Crofton Beam Engines with 32 spaces for cars, 2 accessible spaces and a bay for motorcycles.
| Car Park Tariff 2021 | |
| 0-2 Hours | £1.00 |
| All Day | £2.50 |
Our Pay and Display car park is open for visitors during the Pumping Station opening hours (Saturday and Sunday 10:15am – 4:00pm). The car park gates will be locked at 4:30pm.
All car park charges go directly to supporting the charitable work of the Kennet & Avon Trust and support our conservation and care for Crofton as a unique part of the nation’s industrial heritage.
No overnight parking is allowed in the car park except when there are special evening events.
There is a height restriction of 7’ 2’’ or 2.2M and a height barrier. Therefore drivers of high vehicles for example mobile homes, minibuses, cars with cycle roofracks etc should call in advance to make arrangements for access and speak with staff on site upon departure.
On large steaming and other event days ample additional parking is available in the adjacent field, accessible via the short track to opposite the main gate. The grass surface of this parking area may not be suitable for all vehicles and use is at the driver’s discretion and risk.
Coach Parking: there is normally space for 1 x full size coach by prior arrangement for specific directions and assistance. Alternatively, for passenger drop offs, we can provide details of parking areas in the neighbouring area which again can be arranged in advance.
