​AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE TRUSTEES OF THE CROSSNESS ENGINES TRUST.

Much of the funding needed to conserve the buildings and engines of Joseph Bazalgette’s “cathedral on the marsh” comes from visitors to the site.  Needless to say we have been much affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the first lock down in March happening at precisely the time that we would have been mounting our first open day of the year.  Since then we have welcomed group visits and have run one open day in line with the Covid-19 guidance, but we have had to restrict numbers participating very significantly.  The later lockdown and now the introduction of Tier 4 restrictions means that we are again in the position that we cannot generate income And this is unlikely to change in the immediate future.
 Please would you donate what you can afford, to enable the volunteers 

to give this unique and world-famous site the maintenance and care it

deserves during this difficult period.

Built by Sir Joseph Bazalgette for London's sewage system and opened in 1865, Crossness Pumping Station is a Grade 1 Listed building and features some of the most spectacular ornamental Victorian cast ironwork found in the world today.​

"A ballet of rod and pistons"

Click here for news and visitor information

If this is your first visit please check the interactive map

Conservation Projects

​   Read about the latest restoration project.

Please read the Protocol for Visitors before booking a visit.

COVID-19 status

As of 20 December, Crossness Engines is in a Tier 4 area.  We had planned to release our programme for 2021 by now but, given the latest moves to combat the pandemic, we will delay doing that until we have a clearer view of what might be possible over the next year.

Looking forward to seeing you in the future.

Guided Tours

Booking is essential through Eventbrite. Each date is shown in the calendar below and has  a link to the Eventbrite site to make your booking. Because of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic each tour is restricted to 20 people.  We are sorry but you cannot be admitted to the site if you have not pre-booked.  We suggest that you wear appropriate clothing for exploring a pumping station, including flat shoes. Tours last approximately three hours and include a talk in the lecture theatre on the history of the site followed by a guided tour. Find out more

Bubble Tours

 Book a post-lockdown ‘bubble’ tour for up to 6 colleagues, friends or family members and discover the Victorian splendour and ingenuity of the Crossness Pumping Station with one of our knowledgeable tour guides. Find out more

Group Tours

For groups of up to 20 visitors, book a Group Visit and discover the Victorian splendour and ingenuity of the Crossness Pumping Station with one of our knowledgeable tour guides. Group Tours cost £16 per head with a minimum charge of £160. Find out more

Trust

Get crafty with this fun activity

Find out how to make a portrait head of Sir Joseph Bazalgette, the Victorian engineer who built London's first sewer system - including Crossness.

Watch the 10 minute video on how to create the head from recycled items.

COVID-19 has required that we close temporarily

We will be offering tours and visits as soon as circumstances allow.

Click here for more information​

COMING SOON!

Our site may be temporarily closed but thanks to support from the DCMS Culture Recovery Fund, we are busy producing a new exhibition and guided tour to inspire and entertain you on-line.

 The Toilet Timeline – online exhibition.

From a hole in the ground to the vacuum assisted toilet on the space station, the Toilet Timeline will illustrate the key developments in toilet design and technology – past present and future. This new exhibition tells a fascinating story of human ingenuity and innovation. You will never look at the humble toilet in quite the same way!

Online Guided Tour

Unable to visit in person? You will soon be able to join our knowledgeable tour guides and take an on-line guided tour to discover the splendour and significance of the Crossness Pumping Station. 

Heritage Compass Organisation

Cause4 launched Heritage Compass - a brand-new Business Support Programme funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund in 2020. Working with  partners Creative United and the Arts Marketing Association, this new programme is designed to grow resilience and invigorate the heritage sector across England.

Heritage Compass  will be working with 150 small or medium heritage organisations from across the country over two years The programme will allow a wide range of heritage organisations to build their resilience through working together, as well as developing their individual strategies. Organisations will gain tailored training, mentoring and peer learning, developing strategy and moving forward as part of a dynamic new cohort of Heritage organisations.

The Crossness Engines Trust applied  in the second round in December 2020 and was successful in obtaining a place on the programme.  The first formal training sessions start in February this year and we will move through the programme within a cohort of around 25 other organisations.

The programme will help the Trust in  skills development, growing operational knowledge, strengthening leadership, diversifying funding and identify solutions to financial and environmental threats.​