Abbey Pumping Station is Leicester's Museum of Science and Technology, displaying Leicester's industrial, technological and scientific heritage. Situated adjacent to the National Space Centre, the two attractions tell the story of over 200 years of science and technology from the early days of steam and industry, to space exploration of today.

Opened in 1891, the Abbey Pumping Station pumped Leicester's sewage to the treatment works at Beaumont Leys. The grand Victorian building and beautifully decorated beam engines were a cause of great civic pride. When it closed in 1964, the site was preserved because of the four magnificent beam steam engines that were used to pump the sewage. The engines were built in Leicester by Gimsons and today are rare examples of Woolf compound rotative beam engines. Three of the four engines have been restored back to working condition. The might, power and beauty of Victorian engineering can be seen throughout the year, and working at special steam events, the only place in Britain this magnificent sight can be seen. The museum also has exhibitions on light and optics, historic transport and public health.

 

February - October
Open daily: 11.00am - 4.30pm
Open November - January for special events.

 

Abbey Pumping Station

Corporation Road

Leicester

LE4 5PX

 

                                                          Telephone: +44 (0)116 299 5111

 

Free admission (small charge for certain event days and activities)