Crofton Beam Engines Great Easter Steam Up

This fantastic experience at Crofton Beam Engines starts on Sunday the 5th of April and continues on Sunday the 6th, opening times 10:00 – 16:30, entry to the grounds is free and entry to the Boiler and Engine House is £14.50 per adult, children under 16 and careers go free. Car parking is free on Steaming weekends.

Come and see our magnificent beam engines at work pumping water to the highest point of the Kennet and Avon Canal, keeping the canal full of water. The pumping station at Crofton has been running for well over 200 years and includes the oldest Beam Engine in the World, still in its original location, still doing the job for which it was installed. Watch these surprisingly quiet marvels of engineering. Once our boiler crew have raised steam to drive the engines, see our highly skilled engine drivers cox the engines into life. See the heart of the fires in our boiler and learn about coal and alternative fuels. Remember that our number one engine installed in 1812 has been working since Napoleon retreated from Moscow!

 Fun for all the family: Enjoy any or all of the following:

Duck races in our stream (leat) on both days. Watch your ducks pop out of the pump and race away towards the canal. There will be a prize for first and last duck to reach our bridge at every race!

There will be an Easter Egg trail in our grounds, search high and low for an egg, prizes for all who complete the trail.

Make your own Easter bonnet. There will be a craft area for children of all ages to make an Easter Bonnet, follow the guidelines or create your own bonnet.

Things to do at Crofton

Visit our Smithy Tea Room, enjoy a fine selection of teas, coffee, soft drinks, cakes, and savoury snacks, we will have a small selection of “free from” cakes as well.

We have beautiful grounds and you are more than welcome to bring a picnic and enjoy the stunning scenery, look across the valley to Wilton Water, catch a glimpse of the canal and maybe a speeding intercity train.

You can visit us by road or via the canal. We have a car park, or why not walk or cycle along the canal tow path and join us via our canal tunnel.

See our website for more details.