Claymills Victorian Pumping Station - Image 1

Claymills Victorian Pumping Station

Burton upon Trent, United Kingdom•4.8(386)•Heritage Site, Museum

Explore a restored Victorian pumping station with four working beam engines, interactive steam demonstrations, and family-friendly heritage experiences.

Claymills Victorian Pumping Station is an accredited museum showcasing original Victorian industrial engineering at its finest. The venue features four working beam engines built by Gimson of Leicester in 1885, a steam-driven workshop, forge, and a 1930s dynamo house powered by early Crompton machinery. With 33 original steam engines across the site and five boilers by Thompson's, visitors experience an authentic glimpse into 19th-century industrial operations. The station offers both dynamic steaming events and static viewing days, with guided tours available throughout the year. Families can enjoy the "Ratty Tails" program designed specifically for children, while the online archive provides access to over 6,000 scanned historical documents and images. The Stoker's Rest Café and Bookshop serves refreshments, and visitors may bring their own food and drink. Ranked #1 of 36 things to do in Burton upon Trent on TripAdvisor, Claymills has received numerous accolades including the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service and an Engineering Heritage Award. The venue welcomes visitors of all ages, with booking required for some special events. Static viewing is available most Saturdays and Thursdays, while special evening experiences and steaming demonstrations occur on selected dates throughout the year.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Opening Hours

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 10:00 – 17:00
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 10:00 – 17:00
Sunday: Closed

Venue Details

Venue Type

Indoor & Outdoor

Typical visit duration

All day

Booking

Walk-in or book in advance

Recommended ages

0 months (newborn)+

What this place offers

ToiletsToilets
Public transportPublic transport nearby
Accessible toilets
Free WiFi
Baby changingBaby changing facilities
Food available
On-site parking
🐕Dog-friendly
Parking nearby
Pushchair friendlyPushchair friendly

☕ Food & Drink

Stokers Rest Café & Bookshop

Café offering hot and cold drinks, cold snacks, and on steaming days sandwiches and cakes. Also includes a bookshop with books, magazines, puzzles and memorabilia.

Hours: During normal museum opening times

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Google Reviews

4.8(386 reviews)
M
Mark

Mark

a month ago

Fantastic buildings, and steam driven equipment and workshops. This has all of the workshops and equipment to maintain everything there. It is a real working museum. Victorian engineering and design at its best.Sensible shoes and clothing would be advised. It has a really nice cafe, and also a second hand book store with everything you can think of about steam, engines, and other similar subjects. The volunteers are amazing and have put their heart and souls into this place to refurbish repair and maintain it. Well worth a visit.

M
Matt Wheeldon

Matt Wheeldon

2 months ago

Excellent, last visted 20 years ago, much more restored since then, loads to see as well as the large 4 steam engines!

A
Anthony Bowers

Anthony Bowers

5 months ago

A Victorian Engineering Marvel I had an absolutely fantastic time at Claymills Victorian Pumping Station during a recent steam weekend. Seeing the engines in steam is truly magical and brings the whole site to life. A few highlights from my visit: • The Restoration: It is awe-inspiring to see the sheer amount of work the volunteers have put into this place. Knowing it was saved from demolition makes the experience even more special. • Staff & Atmosphere: Everyone was so welcoming. I had a great chat with Andrew, who creates the YouTube restoration videos—it was actually his videos that inspired me to visit in the first place! The ladies in the café were also lovely and added to the delightful atmosphere. • Value for Money: At £12 for an adult, it is worth every penny. I spent about 4.5 hours exploring and enjoyed every minute. • Dog Friendly: A huge bonus is that they allow dogs, so you don't have to leave your four-legged friends at home. I can’t recommend this place enough. Whether you’re an engineering enthusiast or just looking for a unique piece of history, it’s a must-visit!

S
Siobhan

Siobhan

5 months ago

Great place to go and learn some fascinating history. Go on a day when the 4 big beam engines are going to experience this place at its fullest. There are 2 different trails for kids, depending on age, to help keep them entertained and learning the history of the place. There is a great cafe which serves cakes and cobs. All the volunteers are lovely and want to share their knowledge with you. We stayed longer than expected and had a great time. Very pleasantly surprised and even my 12 year old said it was cool and found it all fascinating. Well worth going.

E
Edward Byard

Edward Byard

5 months ago

Brilliant! I'd give it 6 stars if I could. We found this place via YouTube and visited a few days later. So many amazing engines and proper old school engineering to see. Well worth a visit!

Reviews last updated: 29 September 2026

Events at Claymills Victorian Pumping Station

No upcoming events scheduled

Check back soon for new events at this venue.

This venue was last updated on 29 September 2026

Frequently asked questions about Claymills Victorian Pumping Station

Is Claymills Victorian Pumping Station free to visit?

Entry to Claymills Victorian Pumping Station is completely free — there are no admission charges, making it a great no-cost option for a family day out.

What ages is Claymills Victorian Pumping Station suitable for?

Claymills Victorian Pumping Station is suitable for visitors of all ages, from babies through to adults.

Is Claymills Victorian Pumping Station dog-friendly?

Dogs are not permitted at Claymills Victorian Pumping Station.

Is there parking at Claymills Victorian Pumping Station?

Yes — Claymills Victorian Pumping Station has on-site parking, plus additional parking nearby.

Is there food at Claymills Victorian Pumping Station?

Yes — Stokers Rest Café & Bookshop is on site at Claymills Victorian Pumping Station. Café offering hot and cold drinks, cold snacks, and on steaming days sandwiches and cakes.

Is Claymills Victorian Pumping Station pushchair-friendly?

Yes, Claymills Victorian Pumping Station is pushchair, pram and buggy friendly — most areas are step-free so you can navigate easily with little ones in tow.

How long should we plan to spend at Claymills Victorian Pumping Station?

Claymills Victorian Pumping Station is a full-day experience — plan accordingly.

How do I get to Claymills Victorian Pumping Station by public transport?

Claymills Victorian Pumping Station isn't on a major public transport route — driving is recommended.
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