Kempton Steam Museum | London's Hidden Engineering Marvel
Source: https://kemptonsteam.org
Archived: 2026-04-23 15:39
Kempton Steam Museum | London's Hidden Engineering Marvel
NEXT IN STEAM
21st, 22nd & 23rd May 2026
See our mighty Sir William Prescott engine in steam and explore our incredible Grade II* listed Scheduled Monument
BOOK TICKETS
SENSORY-FRIENDLY SUNDAYS
For those who would appreciate a quieter, more relaxed visit. Dates now added for March, June, September and December 2026
FIND OUT MORE
VOLUNTEER WITH US
We’re looking for tour guides, engine operators, front of house & refreshment volunteers to help keep the museum open.
FURTHER DETAILS
EMAIL NEWSLETTER
Join our mailing list to be kept up to date on all our latest news and events
SIGN UP
PRESS RELEASE
Kempton Steam Museum awarded grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to connect new audiences with the story of London’s clean water
READ MORE
FIND US
BY CAR, TRAIN & BUS
OPEN DAYS
DATES OF STEAMING WEEKENDS
BOOK TICKETS
STEAMING WEEKENDS & EVENTS
COLLECTION
LEARN ABOUT THE ENGINES
HISTORY
KEMPTON PARK PUMPING STATION
VOLUNTEERING
GET INVOLVED AT THE MUSEUM
SITE & FILM HIRE
PHOTO, FILM & TV PRODUCTION
RAILWAY
HAMPTON & KEMPTON RAILWAY
KEMPTON STEAM MUSEUM
LONDON’S HISTORIC PUMPING STATION
Deep in southwest London, hidden behind Thames Water’s working pumping station, stands something that will stop you in your tracks.
Kempton Steam Museum
is home to the Sir William Prescott Engine – the world’s largest working triple-expansion steam engine, and a machine so tall it would dwarf four double-decker buses stacked on top of each other.
Built in 1927, it once pumped up to 19 million gallons of London’s drinking water every single day. Today, it still runs, and on steaming weekends you can stand right next to it, feel the heat on your face, smell the oil in the air, and watch something truly extraordinary roar back to life.
Its twin, the Lady Bessie Prescott Engine, stands opposite — currently being lovingly restored by our volunteers. Together they sit inside a breathtaking Grade II* listed engine house built from Portland stone, crowned by two soaring chimneys — King and Queen — that have been landmarks across this part of London for nearly a century.
This isn’t a museum of dusty exhibits behind glass. This is living, breathing engineering history — and one of the most remarkable hidden gems in the whole of London. Once you’ve seen it, you’ll wonder how you ever missed it
The musuem is open between March and December every year, with a host of steaming weekends and special events. Head to our
Plan Your Visit page
for details of upcoming openings.
NEXT IN STEAM
21st, 22nd & 23rd May 2026
See our mighty Sir William Prescott engine in steam and explore our incredible Grade II* listed Scheduled Monument
BOOK TICKETS
SENSORY-FRIENDLY SUNDAYS
For those who would appreciate a quieter, more relaxed visit. Dates now added for March, June, September and December 2026
FIND OUT MORE
VOLUNTEER WITH US
We’re looking for tour guides, engine operators, front of house & refreshment volunteers to help keep the museum open.
FURTHER DETAILS
EMAIL NEWSLETTER
Join our mailing list to be kept up to date on all our latest news and events
SIGN UP
PRESS RELEASE
Kempton Steam Museum awarded grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to connect new audiences with the story of London’s clean water
READ MORE
FIND US
BY CAR, TRAIN & BUS
OPEN DAYS
DATES OF STEAMING WEEKENDS
BOOK TICKETS
STEAMING WEEKENDS & EVENTS
COLLECTION
LEARN ABOUT THE ENGINES
HISTORY
KEMPTON PARK PUMPING STATION
VOLUNTEERING
GET INVOLVED AT THE MUSEUM
SITE & FILM HIRE
PHOTO, FILM & TV PRODUCTION
RAILWAY
HAMPTON & KEMPTON RAILWAY
KEMPTON STEAM MUSEUM
LONDON’S HISTORIC PUMPING STATION
Deep in southwest London, hidden behind Thames Water’s working pumping station, stands something that will stop you in your tracks.
Kempton Steam Museum
is home to the Sir William Prescott Engine – the world’s largest working triple-expansion steam engine, and a machine so tall it would dwarf four double-decker buses stacked on top of each other.
Built in 1927, it once pumped up to 19 million gallons of London’s drinking water every single day. Today, it still runs, and on steaming weekends you can stand right next to it, feel the heat on your face, smell the oil in the air, and watch something truly extraordinary roar back to life.
Its twin, the Lady Bessie Prescott Engine, stands opposite — currently being lovingly restored by our volunteers. Together they sit inside a breathtaking Grade II* listed engine house built from Portland stone, crowned by two soaring chimneys — King and Queen — that have been landmarks across this part of London for nearly a century.
This isn’t a museum of dusty exhibits behind glass. This is living, breathing engineering history — and one of the most remarkable hidden gems in the whole of London. Once you’ve seen it, you’ll wonder how you ever missed it
The musuem is open between March and December every year, with a host of steaming weekends and special events. Head to our
Plan Your Visit page
for details of upcoming openings.