Kew Bridge Steam Museum
Visit the multi award-winning Kew Bridge Steam Museum and experience steam power coming alive or take a ride on London's only steam railway, in operation for most of the year. Marvel at the world's largest collection of steam pumping engines, in action every weekend or the special Giants of Steam weekends. Free admission for children opens up a world of adventure, as they become a human donkey operating the horse gin, pump water in the new Splash Zone, or take part in a variety of specially planned activities over Family Fun weekends. Built in the 19th century to supply London with water, the museum is recognised as the most important historic site of the water supply industry in Britain.
Opening times
Open Tues-Sun 11.00-16.00
Closed
Good Friday, Christmas
Facilities
There is a small locomotive which offers free rides around the site on Sundays, except in the winter months.
Collection details
Industry, Land Transport, Science and Technology
Description
The Museum opened in 1975, and is housed in a unique collection of listed buildings, some of which are let to local craftspeople. The Victorian brick tower stands 197 feet tall.
The site was originally a pumping station, delivering water to West London
Collections description
The Steam Museum houses the finest collection of pumping engines in the world, which run in steam every weekend. The pick of the crop is the Grand Junction 90" Cornish Beam engine, which stands three storeys high: you can wlak through it as it pumps.
There is also an excellent 'Water for Life' gallery which describes the provision of water to London from Roman times to the present day.
Key artists and exhibits
Matthew Boulton ; James Watt ; Richard Trevithick ; Cornish Beam engines ; Henry Maudslay ; Metropolitan Water Board ; Thomas Newcomen ; Thomas Wicksteed ; Edward Bull
General Information
Brochure or leaflet available with directions to museum,
Pre-booking service for groups,
Guided tours,
Collections,
General guide to collections available,
Specialist publications on collections available,
Accessibility
Disability Access,
Large print information and/or interpretation,
Parking for disabled available,
Toilets for disabled,
Wheelchair access to some public areas,
Wheelchairs available for loan,
Events and resources for children and families,
Education
Member of staff available with responsibility for education,
Reception and lunch facilities for educational groups,
Direct teaching services for schools,
Printed/audio-visual information available for schools,
Secondary school education service available. Research facilities for academics.
Facilities
Cafeteria,
Gardens open to public,
Meeting room available,
Picnic area,
Refreshments, Shop
Other Activities at the Museum:
Free rides on the steam train (March 2 - November 30)
Water For Life Gallery
Giant beam and rotative engines in steam (weekends only)
Museum cafe and shop (Cafe open weekends only)
Partial wheelchair access and wheelchair accessible toilet
Corporate hire – please ask for separate leaflet
School trips – please ask for details
Notes to Editors - the museum has been awarded:
Classic Award winner of the 2006 Museums & Heritage Awards for Excellence
Bronze winner of the Visit London 2005 Small Visitor Attraction of the Year Award
How to find us
In Green Dragon Lane, Brentford, Middlesex about 200 yards from the north side of Kew Bridge under the tall Victorian Tower. Nearest motorway is M4 (coming into London, turn off at Junction 2 signposted to Kew Gardens and North/South Circular roads, down to Chiswick roundabout, then pick up signs for Kew, Brentford and Hounslow. Keep right at the traffic lights before Kew Bridge and then turn first right into Green Dragon Lane). The Museum car park has space for 40 cars.
Public Transport
Buses: 65, 237, 267, 391. Main Line Train: Kew Bridge (South West Trains from Waterloo via Clapham Junction) Gunnersbury (North London Line) then 237 or 267 bus. London Underground: Gunnersbury (District Line) then 237 or 267 bus. South Ealing (Piccadilly Line) then 65 bus.
Admission
Annual multi-visit ticket, Adults £8.50 Concessions: £7.50. Single weekday ticket (engines not in steam), Adults £5.00 Concessions £4.00 *Children 15 and under FREE - children aged 15 and under are admitted to the museum for FREE, but must be accompanied by a paying adult. Proof of age may be required. Please note different rates may apply at some special events and activities. The museum is closed December 22-27 inclusive.
Further information: The museum is open from 11.00am to 5.00pm, last admission 4.15, Tuesday to Sunday. Closed Mondays except Bank Holidays, Good Friday and December 22-26. The museum will be closed weekdays from June 9 – June 27 (open the weekends 14&15, 21&22)
Contact details:
Kew Bridge Steam Museum
Green Dragon Lane
Brentford
TW8 0EN
London Borough of Hounslow
England
General information (Tel) : 020 8568 4757
General information (Fax) : 020 8569 9978
E-mail : info@kbsm.org
E-mail : press@kbsm.org
Website : www.kbsm.org
