Education
| Learning at the Museum |
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 Kew Bridge Steam Museum, located in West London near the river Thames, was originally a Victorian Water Pumping Station. As a museum it has retained the original steam-powered pumping engines, which are the largest collection of their type, including the world's largest working single-cylinder beam engine.
The Kew Bridge Pumping Station first began working in 1838, taking its water from the Thames, and was originally operated by the Grand Junction Waterworks Company. Subsequently, it came under the control of the Metropolitan Water Board in 1904, which finally stopped operating the steam engines in 1944. The pumping station was reopened as Kew Bridge Steam Museum in 1975. The museum collection was expanded by the donation of other steam engines, which have been restored to working order, and by the addition of the Water For Life Gallery, a permanent display recounting the 2,000-year history of water supply in London. The museum is open to the public from 11am to 4pm, Tuesday to Sunday. However the museum accepts school and group visits from 10 am on Monday to Friday. The engines are normally in action for the public on weekends and Bank Holiday Mondays only; however, special operation of the engines can be arranged for your visit, for which an additional charge is made to cover the extra costs. There is currently ramped or level access to 80% of the museum plus a wheelchair accessible toilet. We also now have two wheelchairs available for use by the public, and are in the process of commissioning the installation of stairlifts. Touch tours can be arranged for visually impaired visitors if pre-booked. For more information, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it |
