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Crofton Beam Engines
Crofton
SN8 3DW
Phone
01672 870300

The Crofton Beam Engines are set in a beautiful canal-side location where you can enjoy a picnic.

Built over 200 years ago to raise water from natural springs up to the highest point of the Kennet & Avon Canal, the Pumping Station is Grade One listed and contains two beam engines, both restored to working order. The Boulton and Watt engine, built in 1812, is the oldest beam engine in the world still in its original setting and carrying out its original job. The Harvey & Co. of Hayle, Cornwall engine, built in 1846 and modified in 1905, is one of the few remaining operating engines of its type.

Opening Times for Non-Steaming Days – Every Sunday from Easter to the end of September from 10:30am to 4pm
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.  Please check here for the current opening times and fees

Opening Times for Steaming Days – These take place throughout the spring and summer and are announced on their website here

The Smithy tea room is open only on Steaming Days.

Discover Crofton Beam Engines’ story with the video tour with Phil Harding

There are lots of walks that take you to Crofton Beam Engines so it’s easy to include a visit on one of these. You can find out more about the Kennet & Avon Canal here. 

Dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds but, with the exception of assistance dogs, are not allowed in the Engine House.

 

The only access to the site on open days is by the main gate opposite the car park.  There is no access from the lower canal entrance at lock 60.  The car park and visitor toilets are only open when the site is open.

Opening Times
Crofton Beam Engines are open Saturdays and Sundays until 25 September 2022. For opening times, prices and steaming days please see their website. The Engineman’s Rest Café is closed.
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Entry fee
Opening times and prices can be found on the Crofton Beam Engines' website.
Facilities & Features
Loos, Ground-floor access, Grounds
The visitor loos on site and visitor car park are only open when the site is open. Group visits are welcome – please contact Crofton Beam Engines in advance.
Directions
The lanes around Crofton are extremely pretty but narrow and often have walkers, cyclists, farm traffic and horse riders on them, so please take care.
Public access to the site on open days is by the main entrance only (opposite the car park). There is no access from the lower canal entrance at lock 60.
Sustainability Details
A trial steaming using Homefire Ecoal (comprising 50% olive stones) was held on 5 July 2022, having warmed the boiler through the previous day. From a slow start from light up the boiler managers developed a different firing method and were then able to control the steam supply to the engines very well. This “sprinkling” technique meant that the fire burned more evenly over the whole grate area. This had two main consequences: cooler firebars, which should lead to longer life; and a much hotter working area in front of the boiler, which will need addressing if we are to use this method in future. Additionally, there appeared to be much less smoke from the chimney and much less ash produced. Very early analysis suggests that the rate of consumption of Ecoal is similar to that of our normal coal.
Volunteering opportunity
Crofton is powered by volunteers!

You can choose the number of hours you would like to help.

There is a wide range of volunteer roles, so there is a task waiting for you whatever your background.

Roles include front of house, visitor services and helping with Crofton's learning and community activities in the Open Season.

Roles for all year round include engineering, grounds work and building maintenance.
  • Crofton Beam Engines
  • Crofton Beam Engines
  • Crofton Beam Engines
  • Crofton Beam Engines

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