We open Saturdays and Sundays. On selected steaming days during the season, the boiler is lit and the beam engines resume their original role, pumping water to the summit of the Kennet and Avon Canal. Advance booking is recommended for steaming days.
Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy overlooking the canal and railway. No refreshments are available on site.
Please note that the only access to the site is via the main gate opposite the car park. No access from the lower canal entrance at lock 60. That gate is locked.
If making a special or long distance journey, please check with us beforehand that we will be open. Crofton is powered by volunteers, we may have to close at short notice for unforeseen circumstances.
Non-Steaming Days – 10:15 to 16:00
There is no charge to enter the site on non-steaming days. There is a charge to visit the station itself to view the boiler and engines (see below). Advance booking is not required on non-steaming days.
Opening Times
Car Park: 10:15 to 16:30
Site: 10:15 to 16:00 (last entry at 15:30)
Station: 10:30 to 15:00
| 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 |
Steaming Days – 10:00 to 16:30 (last entry to engines 15:00)
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 (£12 with Gift Aid). Accompanied children under 16 are free.
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 – the car park is closed when the site is closed
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 2022 | |
| 0-2 Hours | £1.00 |
| All Day | £2.50 |
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.
