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Kew Bridge Steam Museum
This interesting museum is housed in a 19th Century pumping station in Kew. The pumping station was opened in 1838 in order to supply London with water, following the closure of the pumping station in Chelsea.
At the museum, you can view the world’s largest collection of steam pumping engines, as well as a smaller collection of diesel, electric, water and animal powered pumping engines.
The largest working beam engine, the Grand Junction 90 Engine, can be seen at the museum alongside other steam pumping engines, including the Bull Engine and Triple Expansion Engine.
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Things to see and do
Most weekends, whilst finding out about the history of London’s water supply, you can see some of the steam pumping engines in action. Different types of engine are brought into action for demonstration purposes on different days of the year, with the Kew Bridge museum’s Cornish engines running once a month, on their “Giants of Steam” weekends. The museum’s website www.kbsm.org keeps an up to date events list, so that you can see which engines are in action on which days.
Many Victorian waterworks had their own railway system. At weekends at Kew Bridge Steam Museum there is a chance to see a working steam train on the museum’s demonstration track.
In addition to the steam train, there is also a magnificent waterwheel that is also powered by the steam pumping engines.
In the Water for Life gallery, you can learn about the history of water usage and supply in London, as well as see inside a section of the Thames Water ring main.
The museum has a café in which to enjoy lunch. Alternatively in the summer you can sit in the Upper Garden and have a picnic.
Opening Times
Mondays: Closed, except bank holidays
Tuesdays: 11am - 4pm
Wednesdays: 11am - 4pm
Thursdays: 11am - 4pm
Fridays: 11am - 4pm
Saturdays: 11am - 4pm
Sundays: 11am - 4pm
Steam pumping engines run every Saturday, Sunday and Bank holiday Monday from Easter to October at during other special events.
How to get to Kew Bridge Steam Museum
The entrance to the museum is on Green Dragon Lane, a few yards from the South side of Kew Bridge, and from Kew Bridge Station.
Bus routes: 65, 237, 267 and 391 all stop at Kew Bridge which is a short walk from the museum.
Nearest mainline train station:
- Kew Bridge Station (short walk to museum)
Nearest tube stations:
- Gunnersbury (District Line then 237 or 267 bus, or a 15 minute walk)
- Kew Gardens (District Line then 391 bus, or a 20 minute walk)
- South Ealing (Piccadilly Line then 65 bus to Kew Bridge)
Book online now to stay at Holiday Inn London - Kensington Forum or call our dedicated reservations team on 0871 942 9100 and quote "IDAVE".