CURRENT OPENING HOURS: For steam event dates and times, please see our website. When not in steam, we are open Sundays and Wednesdays between 11am-3pm (April-Oct). Papplewick Pumping Station is an ornate Victorian water pumping station which is now a museum, wedding venue and film & photoshoot location. It once helped provide Nottingham with fresh water between 1885 and 1969 and now holds regular steaming events where the James Watt beam engines are steamed into operation by one of the original Lancashire boilers. There is also a spectacular brick vaulted underground reservoir that can be toured on steam days for a small extra charge.
Right from the start of our visit, we were treated amazingly. All the volunteers were wonderful and willing to take the time to speak with you and explain how things worked. This was our first time here, and we also got the bonus of it being a steampunk weekend. We paid on the gate and got a 12 month annual pass, which included special events. Everyone must visit here it is just amazing when you see the pumping station working for the first time. Well worth every penny.
Absolutely wonderful place to step back in time. The machinery, the smells, the atmosphere are all part of the experience. Highly recommend a guided tour as our guide today went above and beyond to tell us the history of the place and it's people. Will definitely be back on an event day for sure.
A Victorian experience with working steam powered water pumps. Not open all year, but when they run themed events well worth a visit. A pleasant informative place to go. As it was built to be a functional (if somewhat beautiful) work place it was designed for the more able-bodied person. The main pump house entrance is up a flight of steps & exits down a narrow set of steep stairs alongside the boilers. I went to the steampunk event & there were themed junk stalls (a must for any crafters) clothing stalls & assorted clothing & knickers backs. This event had Live music & entertainment, this year was one of my favourite singers Alice Strange performed (she was brilliant as always). As a side note there is a side tour available to visit the underground & now empty resivour. And this is a must in my opinion. For a reasonable amount (was PS4 for adults & PS1 for children) unfortunately again not wheelchair friendly as you have to ride to the sight on a trailor pulled by a vintage tractor & To descend a narrow set of stairs beneath the ground. Once underground the full magnificence of the Victorian engineering is revealed. It is a masterclass in brickwork. I found this subterranean work of art to be a spirituality uplifting experience (I'm susceptible to that sort of thing) Helped by the fact that a singer with our party did a short unofficial performance & took advantage of the stunning acoustics. All in all a brilliant day out for me & my grandson.
We went on a Steam day, so they had all the engines and pumps running; just mesmerizing. Victorian engineering is both beautiful and functional, they've got some building restoration in progress. There's only a small cafe, ice cream vendor, but lovely lake out the back.
Such an interesting place to visit. The underground reservoir tour was a great too. Plenty of car parking. All well organised.
A brilliant day out especially when in steam, and a trip up and into the underground reservoir if your health allows (down steep winding steps) is a must :)
On-site services
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
LGBTQ+ friendly
Transgender safe space
Getting tickets in advance recommended
Good for kids
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Right from the start of our visit, we were treated amazingly. All the volunteers were wonderful and willing to take the time to speak with you and explain how things worked. This was our first time here, and we also got the bonus of it being a steampunk weekend. We paid on the gate and got a 12 month annual pass, which included special events. Everyone must visit here it is just amazing when you see the pumping station working for the first time. Well worth every penny.
Absolutely wonderful place to step back in time. The machinery, the smells, the atmosphere are all part of the experience. Highly recommend a guided tour as our guide today went above and beyond to tell us the history of the place and it's people. Will definitely be back on an event day for sure.
A Victorian experience with working steam powered water pumps. Not open all year, but when they run themed events well worth a visit. A pleasant informative place to go. As it was built to be a functional (if somewhat beautiful) work place it was designed for the more able-bodied person. The main pump house entrance is up a flight of steps & exits down a narrow set of steep stairs alongside the boilers. I went to the steampunk event & there were themed junk stalls (a must for any crafters) clothing stalls & assorted clothing & knickers backs. This event had Live music & entertainment, this year was one of my favourite singers Alice Strange performed (she was brilliant as always). As a side note there is a side tour available to visit the underground & now empty resivour. And this is a must in my opinion. For a reasonable amount (was PS4 for adults & PS1 for children) unfortunately again not wheelchair friendly as you have to ride to the sight on a trailor pulled by a vintage tractor & To descend a narrow set of stairs beneath the ground. Once underground the full magnificence of the Victorian engineering is revealed. It is a masterclass in brickwork. I found this subterranean work of art to be a spirituality uplifting experience (I'm susceptible to that sort of thing) Helped by the fact that a singer with our party did a short unofficial performance & took advantage of the stunning acoustics. All in all a brilliant day out for me & my grandson.
We went on a Steam day, so they had all the engines and pumps running; just mesmerizing. Victorian engineering is both beautiful and functional, they've got some building restoration in progress. There's only a small cafe, ice cream vendor, but lovely lake out the back.
Such an interesting place to visit. The underground reservoir tour was a great too. Plenty of car parking. All well organised.
A brilliant day out especially when in steam, and a trip up and into the underground reservoir if your health allows (down steep winding steps) is a must :)
