the most spectacular, preserved water Pumping Station in the British Isles

Papplewick Pumping Station is a Victorian industrial attraction, run by a charitable trust, restored and preserved by a fantastic team of volunteers. Built in the 1800’s by Marriot Ogle Tarbotton to help provide fresh water to Nottingham, it now opens to visitors to be able to absorb it’s outstanding combination of Victorian engineering and artistic design.

Papplewick Exterior
Papplewick Engine House
Papplewick Boiler House
Underground Reservoir

Now protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument, the highest preservation order that can be bestowed upon a site in England, the Pumping Station holds regular steaming events throughout the year, wedding ceremonies and education visits enabling the Trust to continue the essential preservation of this important site for future generations.

Static Openings

Aside from the November 14th/15th 2026 steam event, the pumping station is now closed to the public. Static open days will recommence on Sunday April 4th 2027, 11am-3pm (last admission at 2pm).

Papplewick Exterior
Papplewick Engine House

**Please Note**

Please be aware that the pumping station is not open to the public at other times except for pre-booked groups (of 15 or more people), site hires and wedding ceremonies.

EXPERIENCE PAPPLEWICK PUMPING STATION

There’s always something exciting happening at Papplewick Pumping Station!

Steam Events

Papplewick Interior

Eight weekends a year, Papplewick Pumping Station fires up the Lancashire boilers. The original twin beam engines, built by James Watt & Co, can be seen in all their glory.

Reservoir Tours

Underground Reservoir

This architectural marvel, built by the celebrated engineer Thomas Hawksley in 1879, once stored the water that the mighty beam engines pumped to the surface.

Experience Steam

Experience Steam at Papplewick

Learn the art of stoking an 1883 Lancashire boiler and acquire the skills to run one of our original James Watt beam engine on one of our limited ‘Experience Steam’ days

Educational Visits

Educational Visits

Welcome to A Temple to Water, the award-winning, immersive, education visit to England’s finest preserved Victorian water works, Papplewick Pumping Station in Nottinghamshire.

Find out more …

make a donation

support the pumping station’s ongoing maintenance with a donation