Crofton in Steam for Drive It Day

With over 300 cars visiting Crofton last year we have made the decision to fire up our boiler and run our engines for the morning and early afternoon on the day.

See Crofton in Steam and watch our 200 hundred year old engines pumping water for the Kennet and Avon Canal is a unique experience and one not to be missed. Combine this with a wonderful drive through some of Wiltshire’s most beautiful Countryside and you will have a day out to remember, as well as helping the NSPCC.

Drive It Day was created by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs in 2005. For one day a year, historical enthusiasts and the public come together to celebrate the One Thousand Mile Trial, first organised in 1900 to celebrate the motorcar. In 2021 the Federation Partnered with NSPCC’s Childline and Drive It Day has raised over £100,000 to help support vulnerable children and young people.

Crofton Beam Engines sit within a Grade I listed historic site, set in the East of Wiltshire. It is home to the oldest working beam engine in the world, still in its original location, still driven by steam and which can still perform its original task of keeping the Kennet and Avon canal supplied with water at its highest point. We have two engines which pump on “steaming days”.

Our site will be open on the 27th of April from 10.00 to 16.30, steaming times 10.30 to 15.00 to welcome visitors to the Grade I listed Engine House where you can see our Lancashire Boiler, several standing engines, and of course our beam engines. We can provide car parking and we will have a refreshment area to tempt visitors to buy tea, coffee and cake.

Many of our volunteers are also classic car enthusiasts and they will have some of their cars on display at Crofton Beam Engines and be taking part in Drive It Day.