August Bank Holiday Steaming

Sunday 30th and Monday 31st

Celebrating the 75 Anniversary of the Kennet and Avon Canal

Crofton Pumping Station was originally built to raise water for the Kennet and Avon Canal. For 145 years Crofton Beam Engines did just that. However, in 1959 British Waterways finally closed Crofton. Six years later six steam enthusiasts visited Crofton and decided to attempt it’s restoration. The fledgling Kennet and Avon Canal Trust (as the Kennet and Avon Canal Association) had already started the long process of restoring the canal. In 1968 the K&A Trust purchased the pumping station for £75 and the restoration began. Without the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust the boiler would be cold and the Beam Engines still.

This August Bank Holiday visitors can enjoy watching those same beam engines at work raising water for the Kennet and Avon Canal. The pumping station uses technology that dates back to the early days of the Industrial Revolution, still doing the job for which they were built, still in their original location.

We will have a special exhibition about the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust, What it did, What it does, What it is planning to do and How you can help. Find out more about the Trust which offers visitors unique experiences, whether you want to go on a short canal boat trip or hire one of our amazing accessibility boats, specially tailored to accommodate wheelchair users and those with special needs.

Fun for all the family: Children’s activities will include a special trail, a self-guided crafting area and a mock up of how locks work. Our Smithy Tea Room and you are welcome to bring a picnic.

Duck Race

Our famous duck race takes place every day at 12:35. Watch the ducks pour out of the our pumps and race away down the leat. Choose your duck, enter it into the race, entry per duck £1 to win a prize your duck must come first or last .

Crofton Beam Engines will be open and steaming for the August Bank Holiday on Sunday the 30th and Monday the 31st. Opening times on both days: car park 10:00 to 17:00, grounds 10:00 to 16:30, with access to the Engine House from 10:30 to 16:30.

You can visit Crofton by road or via the canal. Car parking is free on steaming days. Visitors can also get to Crofton by walking or cycling along the canal towpath and joining us via the canal tunnel.

Crofton Beam Engines, Crofton, Marlborough, Wiltshire SN8 3DW

https://www.croftonbeamengines.org

Email: Crofton@katrust.org.uk

Kennet and Avon Canal web site: https://katrust.org.uk