Worth a detour: London Museum of Water and Steam

Steam power drove the Industrial Revolution and its achievements are celebrated at this museum that has recently had a makeover

Just a few hundred metres from Kew’s famous Royal Botanic Gardens lies a lesser-known attraction that is well worth a visit. The London Museum of Water and Steam is housed in a cluster of Grade I and II listed buildings and contains what is probably one of the finest collections of stationary and steam pumping engines in the world.

Formerly known as the Kew Bridge Steam Museum, it underwent major redevelopment during 2013-14 and was rebranded to reflect its heritage waterworks theme. The new Waterworks gallery tells the story of London’s water supply past, present and future. Brought to life by interactive exhibits, quizzes and working models, it is an informative and interesting addition to the museum.

However, the heart of the museum is still its extensive collection of engines from the Industrial Revolution. Far from being a bunch of static displays, the engines are regularly ‘in steam’, giving visitors an appreciation of their awesome power. 

Cornish beam engines, designed to reduce the fuel costs of draining deep mines in the region, are well represented. The oldest on display is the Boulton and Watt West Cornish engine, built in 1820. This was the first engine to be restored to working condition at the museum. 

The 100-inch Engine, built by Harvey & Co of Hayle in 1869, is the largest surviving single-cylinder beam engine in the world. In use until the 1950s, it miraculously ran for most of its working life with a cracked beam.

Then there’s the James Kay engine, also known as the Dancers End engine, which takes its name from Lord Rothschild’s estate near Tring, where it was used to pump water from a well. The engine was built in 1867 by James Kay of Bury. It was donated to the museum by the Thames Water Authority’s Chiltern division, where it had been kept on standby since the 1930s. It was found to be in good working order and was reassembled at Kew Bridge in 1978-79.

The museum is also home to the largest known surviving Bull engine. It is the only working one of its kind and is still located in its original engine house. Built in 1856, the design differs from a traditional Cornish beam engine in that the steam cylinder is inverted over the pump, removing the need for a main beam. This meant that a Bull engine took up half the space of a beam engine of a similar pumping capacity. 

Also on display is a Hathorn Davey triple expansion engine, usually considered an intermediary stage in the development between beam engines and internal combustion engines.

Many Victorian waterworks had their own railway. At Kew Bridge this is demonstrated by a short line featuring the Wren class locomotive Thomas Wicksteed. This engine was completed in 2009 and is the newest working steam locomotive in the UK. Thomas Wicksteed is in steam every weekend the museum is open to the public.

The London Museum of Water and Steam is also geared up for school visits. Younger pupils enjoy interactive sessions that include a meeting with engineering hero James Watt.

For more details, see the museum’s website: www.waterandsteam.org.uk

Five things to see

Awarded an IMechE Engineering Heritage Award in 2008, it is the largest of its type and is displayed in its original engine house.

2. The 100-inch Engine: See the largest surviving single-cylinder beam engine in the world. It was in use from 1871 until the 1950s.

3. Waterworks Railway: Ride behind the Wren class engine Thomas Wicksteed, the newest working steam locomotive in the UK.

4. Steam Up Events: Every weekend you can see either the Cornish or rotative engines in the collection in action, demonstrating their power.

5.  Interactive Displays: Discover the history of how clean water was brought to Londoners and see a quirky collection of vintage toilets.