Crofton Beam Engines pumping station will be open and steaming the 25th and 26th of July. Site opening times on both days, 10:00 – 16:30.
Visitors can come and see our magnificent beam engines at work pumping water 40 feet up to feed the Kennet and Avon Canal at its's highest point, just as they have done for over 200 years.
For adults and Children: Our engines are housed in a magnificent Grade I listed Georgian Building, spread over four floors. Our two beam engines fill the building and are almost silent when working.
Talk to our knowledgeable volunteers about what you are seeing and how the engines work. Children and adults alike enjoy watching the engine drivers at work, controlling several tons of beam on the floor above them. Next to our engine house is our boiler house, where steam is raised to drive the engines. The skill of stoking a boiler to make the fire as efficient as possible is clearly demonstrated by our team of boiler people.
Duck Race
Our famous duck race takes place every day at 12:35. Watch the ducks pour out of the our pumps and race away down the leat. Choose your duck, enter it into the race, entry per duck £1 to win a prize your duck must come first or last .
For children: This weekend's activities for children include the Crofton Trail, a beautifully designed trail by local artist Dru Marland. The trail will take you round the site, once completed there is a small prize and sticker for each completed trail leaflet.
Crafting area: There will be a self-guided crafting area for children to draw, paint make items that have interested them when visiting Crofton.
Play area: We have a small play area, featuring a beam (seesaw) and a working model set of locks, where children (and adults) can pump water up to the top of the mini locks and then open the lock gates and watch the water flow down.
Our site:
Visit the Smithy Tea room for tea, coffee cake and more. Enjoy the fantastic views of Wilton Water, the canal and railway. Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic and sit in our grounds.
