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Late May steaming at Crofton Beam Engines
25 May @ 10:00 am – 4:30 pm
Late May steaming dates are Sunday the 24th and Monday the 25th of May.
Visitors can see Crofton’s magnificent beam engines at work pumping water to feed the highest point of the Kennet and Avon Canal, just as they have done for over 200 years. Watch these surprisingly quiet marvels of engineering and remember that our Number One Engine was installed in 1812, the same year Napoleon retreated from Moscow!
This is a special time of year to experience Crofton’s grounds and views at their most beautiful, nestled as it is in the Vale of Pewsey. The wildflowers that flourish at Crofton will be at their best.
Our Smithy Tea Room will be open and you are welcome to bring a picnic and enjoy a visit to the canal side through our railway tunnel, only accessible on open days.
There is plenty to do for children. As well as seeing the might and majesty of our huge beam engines at work, children can take part in our Crofton trail, dress up in a boiler suit, enjoy getting creative in our self-guided crafting area and, of course choose a duck to race out of our pumps and down the steam.
Entry to the grounds is free, entry to the pumping station is £14.50 for adults, children under 16 and carers go free. Children’s activities and an entry to the Duck Race £1 each activity or duck.
Our grounds will be open from 10am to 4.30pm and the Pumping Station will be open from 10.30am to 4pm. The Duck Race is held at 12.30pm on both days. Our free car parks will be open from 10am till 5 pm.
Tuesday Workdays
For those who cannot make a steaming event Crofton is open every Tuesday throughout the year except the 22nd and 29th of December 2026.
Members of the public are welcome to visit us and see volunteers maintaining and repairing everything from our boiler to the grounds. We provide guided tours; knowledgeable volunteers will be pleased to explain why Crofton exists, and how it all works. Entrance is free although a donation is always much appreciated, suggested donation £5 per person. Open hours are 10am to 2pm. Our car park is open 10am to 2.30pm.
Crofton Beam Engines, Crofton, Marlborough, Wiltshire SN8 3DW
Email: Crofton@katrust.co.uk
www.croftonbeamengines.org
