Visitor Information

Coronavirus / COVID-19

Following the latest government recommendations regarding Coronavirus / Covid-19 we have taken the decision to delay our opening of Crofton for the summer season 2020 which was intended for Saturday 4 April.

We anticipate that Crofton will be closed to the public until at least the end of April, which means our Easter Steaming Weekend is cancelled together with other planned events both on and off-site.

We will review the situation again in late April after which we will publish the opening dates and times, which are anticipated to be Wednesdays-Sundays 10:30 to 16:30, plus Bank Holiday Mondays.

For more information, please see the Trust’s website www.katrust.org.uk.

Cafe

Our friendly and welcoming on-site licensed café, the Engineman’s Rest, is open from 10:30-16:30 on every Non-steaming and Steaming Day with a range of hot and cold foods, snacks, drinks and tasty treats for all the family. On Steaming Days we normally have an additional real ale bar in our Old Smithy together with a BBQ and/or other event-specific catering. Please follow this link for more information.

Opening Times: Wednesday-Sunday. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays, except Bank Holidays.

Dogs Policy

We welcome Assistance Dogs throughout the site without restriction. We welcome all dogs on leads in the grounds, but not inside the Boiler and Engine Houses, nor in the Café. There is a designated area to tether dogs outside the Boiler House and water bowls are provided.

First Aid

First Aid is available from staff and volunteers who will call for emergency services assistance if required. Additional first aid support is on site on the major event days. A defibrillator is also available on site. Any visitors receiving first aid will be asked to provide relevant information for the Accident Book.

Guidebooks

We have two guidebooks: The Crofton Pumping Station Guide which is a 38-page visitor guide providing a succinct history and information about the site and the engines. The Crofton Story by Ian Broom is the definitive history and guide to Crofton Beam Engines providing a complete and authoritative history. Both are perfect companions to a visit. They are on sale in the shop and with tickets, and can also be purchased by mail order by contacting the Site Office.

Parking

We have a 32 space on-site tarmac car park which is available for a small charge on a pay and display basis. All car parking charges support the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust, a registered charity, and in using the car park visitors help to support our charity. There are two accessible spaces, a motorcycle area and also, with prior arrangement, the car park can accommodate one full-sized coach. The car park is open 09:00 – 17:00 year-round, including when the site is closed in the winter season, thus helping visitors to enjoy the canal, the numerous walks and other leisure activities of the area. In the winter period and outside opening hours access to the canal is via the path by Sam Farmer Lock, 300 yards away on foot.

On Steaming and Special Event Days we also have additional overspill grass surface parking in the neighbouring field. This can accommodate several hundred vehicles up to the size of a transit van. Access to this parking area is via the short track immediately opposite the main gates, which is signposted.

Cycles may be parked on site and a designated cycle parking area is scheduled for completion in 2020.

Picnics and Outdoor Seating

Visitors are welcome to bring picnics. There is a small picnic area and a range of outdoor benches and table seating in the grounds.

Public Entrances

We have two entrances, the main entrance from the road and car parks at the top of the site, and the lower canal entrance which provides direct access to the canal towpath, Lock 60 and Engine Pound moorings.

On all steaming days the admissions ticketing point for the public will be at the site gates, reflecting the amount of activities in the grounds in addition to the Engine and Boiler Houses. On steaming days access to the Crofton Grounds, Café and Shop will require a ticket at the gate and there will be no unticketed access to the Grounds, Cafe and Shop.

Shop

There is a small gift shop within our onsite café that sells a range of gifts, souvenirs and products related to Crofton Beam Engines and the Kennet and Avon Canal, as well as the wider Pewsey Vale area. The shop is open within café hours from 10:30-16:30 on every Non-Steaming and Steaming Day.

Toilets

We have modern, accessible unisex toilet facilities which were opened in 2018. There are five unisex cubicles and one fully accessible cubicle for wheelchair users and people with other access needs. There is a baby changing table and nappy bin within the accessible facility.

Visitor Feedback

We welcome visitor feedback. Visitors may provide feedback online using our social media channels (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) and TripAdvisor . We also have a visitor book on site in the café which visitors are welcome to complete.

Wheelchairs

We have a manual wheelchair for loan whilst the visitor is on site. Please ask staff if you wish to borrow the manual wheelchair.