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 …

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.

lots to see and do!

The station is full of areas to explore, as part of a guided tour or individually.

Papplewick Site Map
  • 1
    Visitor Car Park
  • 2
    Visitor Entrance Gates
  • 3
    Superintendent’s House & Visitor Reception (steam days ONLY)
  • 4
    Main Drive
  • 5
    Superintendent’s Garden
  • 6
    Underground Reservoir Tours. Ticket booth & tour start point (steam days ONLY)
  • 7
    Top Lawn
  • 8
    Par Terre Main Lawn
  • 9
    Cooling Pond
  • 10
    Engine House (Porch entrance)
  • 11
    Boiler House entrance
  • 12
    Coal Shed
  • 13
    Forge & Stables
  • 14
    Chimney
  • 15
    Cafe & Toilets
  • 16
    Cafe Kiosk
  • 17
    Greenhouse & Plant Sales (steam days ONLY)
  • 18
    Miniature Steam Railway (steam days ONLY)
  • 19
    Linby Colliery Winding Engine
  • 20
    Children’s Play Area
  • 21
    Deputy Superintendent’s House (out of bounds)
  • 22
    Severn Trent Pump Unit (out of bounds)
  • 23
    Severn Trent UV & Chlorination Unit (out of bounds)
  • 24
    Emergency Assembly Point

discount arrangements

discount arrangements

Severn Trent Water employees are entitled to free entry to steam events. Please present your ID at the till upon arrival.

Unpaid carers who need to accompany the person they care for when they visit the pumping station are entitled to free entry on presentation of a Carer Passports, Carer Emergency Cards, Carers Discount Cards or an NHS letter confirming you are the person’s official carer. Please note that the person you care for will need to pay admission.

Papplewick Exterior

access arrangements

access arrangements

The majority of the site is accessible for all but due to the historical nature of the Engine House access is via a small flight of steps leading to the porch and main door; there are also internal stairs for reaching the upper floors.

code of practice

code of practice

The Pumping Station abides by Visit Britain’s National Code of Practice for Visitor Attractions.

make a donation

support the pumping station’s ongoing maintenance with a donation