Papplewick Pumping Station

Papplewick Pumping Station Britain's finest Victorian fresh water Pumping Station. A small fee applies to tour the buildings but admission to the grounds is free.

Just 8 miles north of Nottingham, NG15 9AJ

For current prices & opening times, please see our website:
http://www.papplewickpumpingstation.org.uk Set in the tranquil Nottinghamshire countryside Papplewick Pumping Station was built between 1882 and 1885 to meet Nottingham’s rapidly growing demand for clean fresh water. Its two steam driven James Watt beam engines were in constant use until 1969 wh

en the site was converted to electric submersible pumps but the site continues to pump 3 million gallons of water for the city. Papplewick is regarded as the finest surviving fresh water pumping station in England and is unique in retaining all of its original features including its six hand fired Lancashire boilers, two James Watt beam engines and underground reservoir. Now an ACE Accredited museum, the pumping station holds eight steam events per year where visitors can see the pumping engines in operation under steam. Papplewick is also a wedding venue and a popular location for photography and video shoots, particularly its atmospheric brick vaulted reservoir.

2025 admissions prices:

Steam events - gate price
Adult £14.00
Senior/Student/12+ £13.00
U12 Free
* admission includes a 12 month Annual Pass

Steam events - online price
Adult £13.50 (inc booking fee)
Senior/Student/12+ £12.50 (inc booking fee)
U12 Free
* admission includes a 12 month Annual Pass

When not in steam, the pumping station is open on Sundays and Wednesdays, 11am-3pm.

🏍️ Classic Motorcycles at Papplewick! 🏍️This Bank Holiday weekend, the grounds of Papplewick Pumping Station will be fil...
28/08/2026

🏍️ Classic Motorcycles at Papplewick! 🏍️

This Bank Holiday weekend, the grounds of Papplewick Pumping Station will be filled with the sights, sounds and smells of classic motorcycles, alongside our spectacular James Watt beam engines.

🎶 Live music

Sunday: Dixie Jacks
Monday: Moonshiners

And to make this event extra special, we’ve commissioned a limited-edition keyring! Be sure to grab yours from our souvenir cart — once they’re gone, they’re gone!

❤️ Proceeds from the sale of these keyrings will go towards maintaining Papplewick Pumping Station to stay open for future generations to enjoy. Your support really does make a difference.

📅 Sunday 30th & Monday 31st August
⏰ Gates open at 10am on both days.

We hope to see you there! 🏍️🔧

12/08/2026
🏍️ Motorcycle Display Information 🏍️We're looking forward to welcoming hundreds of motorcycles to Papplewick Pumping Sta...
31/07/2026

🏍️ Motorcycle Display Information 🏍️

We're looking forward to welcoming hundreds of motorcycles to Papplewick Pumping Station this August bank holiday!
Please note that display space is limited, with room for approximately 200–250 bikes each day.

🏆 Bringing a classic motorcycle?

Classic bikes that pre-date 1999 will be displayed in the main area next to the Engine House. If you'd like to apply for a display space, please email: [email protected] to pre-book. (Classic bike display spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis.)

To secure your place, you'll need to:

✅ Arrive before 9:30am
✅ Stay with us for the majority of the day

As a thank you, entry is free for the rider and one passenger.

🏍️ Bringing a modern motorcycle?

You're very welcome to come along—just turn up on the day! Display spaces with free entry are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Once our display area is full the gates will be closed, any additional motorcycles will need to use the main visitor car park, and normal admission (including an annual pass where applicable) will apply.

Visit our website for details: www.papplewickpumpingstaiton.org.uk

We recommend arriving early to avoid disappointment.

We can't wait to see you and your bikes at Papplewick Pumping Station! 👋

25/07/2026

Each year, after a season of steam events, we have to remove scale from the waterside of the boiler interior. This video, filmed earlier this year inside boiler #3, shows how we do it.

Papplewick is back in steam this bank holiday (30th & 31st August) with our Classic Motorcycle & Steam Event, from 10am–...
25/07/2026

Papplewick is back in steam this bank holiday (30th & 31st August) with our Classic Motorcycle & Steam Event, from 10am–4pm — and it’s set to be a fantastic day out!

Enjoy live music from Dixie Jacks on Sunday & Moonshiners on Monday and there will be a fabulous display of classic motorcycles throughout the ages.

Plus plenty to see and explore, including:

All engines in steam — including the iconic James Watt beam engines
The miniature railway
Guided tours of our underground reservoir
The Linby Colliery winding engine... and much more

It’s a brilliant mix of history & engineering. Fun for all ages.

If you wish to display a classic motorcycle, please visit our website for details on how to apply (link below)

🎟️ Visit the website to book your tickets:
www.papplewickpumpingstation.org.uk

This August, Papplewick is hosting its Classic Motorcycle & Steam Weekend. Featuring: Live music provided by Dixie Jacks (Sun 30th) & Moonshiners (Mon 31st) A stunning display of bikes through the ages. Food from Spud Worlds Lincoln Green brewery Modern Life is Coffee Motorcycle Display Information....

Hello everyone. As promised here is the very small album with the few remaining pictures I could not fit in yesterday an...
14/07/2026

Hello everyone. As promised here is the very small album with the few remaining pictures I could not fit in yesterday and I did not want to leave them out of the events. Best wishes to everyone who attended both events. Hazel

It is very dispiriting to find that some people can't keep their feet off the walls on the Engine House Packing Flat. 😞
14/07/2026

It is very dispiriting to find that some people can't keep their feet off the walls on the Engine House Packing Flat. 😞

Hello everyone,. Sunday and again it was hot, but it did not stop visitor attending. Thank you to everyone that attended...
13/07/2026

Hello everyone,. Sunday and again it was hot, but it did not stop visitor attending. Thank you to everyone that attended for making it a grate day. Thank you to the working volunters for making it another great successful event. I hope you enjoy the photograph album. There will be another small album tomorrow. Thank you Hazel

Hello everyone. As promised here is number 2 album of Saturdays event. I hope you like the album. I will attempt to post...
13/07/2026

Hello everyone. As promised here is number 2 album of Saturdays event. I hope you like the album. I will attempt to post Sundays album later today. best wishes Hazel

Hello everyone, It was a great day despite the heat, everyone appeared to enjoy the day. I hope you like the photographs...
13/07/2026

Hello everyone, It was a great day despite the heat, everyone appeared to enjoy the day. I hope you like the photographs I will post the remaining pictures on another album for you to enjoy. Hazel

Address

Papplewick Pumping Station, Rigg Lane, Off Longdale Lane, Ravenshead
Nottingham
NG159AJ

Telephone

0115 9632938

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Papplewick Pumping Station posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Papplewick Pumping Station:

Shortcuts

Share