London Museum of Water and Steam

Get ready to explore the amazing old Victorian waterworks that house the London Museum of Water and Steam.

The magnificent steam pump engines are the undisputed stars of the collection. Find out how these mechanical monsters operate and learn the difference between Cornish and rotative engines. The Cornish engines are in their original positions and can sometimes be seen in action – including the Grand Junction 90 inch, which pumped water to London for nearly a century and is the largest working beam engine on the planet. Check the official website for details of when the machines will be running.

Admire the Grade I and II listed buildings that house the museum, including a soaring 200ft brick standpipe tower built in 1837 and the original boiler house from 1837. It’s no surprise that this atmospheric setting has drawn the attention of TV producers, with scenes from shows including Doctor Who and EastEnders filmed here.

The interactive exhibits inside are full of fun facts and stories about the history of London’s water supply and there are plenty of buttons to press and levers to pull. The Splash Zone play area has lots of wheels, buckets, pumps, and pipes for transporting water and generally getting wet!