London Museum of Water and Steam: A Date with Industrial History
Interested in industrial history? The London Pass, part of Go City, recommends a great place for your London travel list: the London Museum of Water and Steam.
Image source: London Museum of Water and Steam
Located on the original site of the Kew Bridge Pumping Station (a Victorian-era pumping station), the Water and Steam Museum first opened in 1975 as the Kew Bridge Steam Museum. After gradually building up its industrial collections and earning a reputation as a world-class industrial museum, it underwent a major renovation and rebranding in the 21st century, reopening in 2014 under its new name, the London Museum of Water and Steam. With its fresh look, the museum added many interactive elements, thereby enhancing its appeal to younger generations.
Considered one of the most important heritage sites in the UK water supply industry, the London Museum of Water and Steam is dedicated to the history of steam pumping engines and London's water supply system. It not only features impressive historic buildings—the pumping station site where the museum is located is a Grade I and Grade II listed building complex—but also houses a vast collection of steam engines, interactive exhibits, and even a steam train.
Image source: London Museum of Water and Steam
In addition to numerous real diesel, electric, water, and animal-powered pump engines, the museum's precious collection includes the world's largest Cornish engine.
Image source: London Museum of Water and Steam
The Splash Zone is an industrial-themed play area made up of gears, wheels, buckets, levers, pumps, and pipes, where visitors can explore and have fun hands-on.
Image source: Silver Jack Photography
Image source: London Museum of Water and Steam
The museum's Waterworks Gallery is a permanent exhibition that presents the history of London's water supply from Roman times to the present day through a wealth of historical artifacts, information panels, and working models. It aims to help visitors gain a comprehensive understanding of the important machines, people, and companies involved in the water supply system. Moreover, the Waterworks Gallery features numerous interactive exhibits, bringing fun to visitors of all ages.
Image source: London Museum of Water and Steam
If you visit the museum on a weekend, you can also take a ride on the steam train and personally experience how these steam-belching machines changed our lives and the world. The steam train departs every 15 minutes between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays—definitely worth looking forward to!
Image source: London Museum of Water and Steam
Museum address: Green Dragon Lane, Brentford, Middlesex, TW8 OEN
Opening hours: Saturdays and Sundays 10:00 - 16:00
Ticket price: £17, free entry with The London Pass
