abbey pumping station

We came across this pumping station when we were leaving the Leicester space centre and gave it a look.This place is brilliant its full of loads of different things to look at from old bikes to old filming equipment and everything you look at is really interesting for all age groups.entrance is free but it's definatly worth leaving some money in the donation box.

The Pumping Station is akin to stepping back in time, considering it is situated adjacent to The Space Centre they couldn't be more worlds apart! This Victorian design is elegant yet very dramatic at sight yet the inner mechanics of the huge steel pumps is nothing short of breath taking, especially if you visit on an event day (held many times a year) they stoke up the gigantic steam pumps and you feel like you are in the engine rooms of the Titanic!There are fascinating engineering artefacts to observe within the museum including a small Victorian Cinema! There is an original miniature railway (open on event days) that was used back in the day for transporting heavy goods and fuel around the site, it's not a very long ride but it's quirky and fun and the small kids will love it!It's really a great afternoon experience and if you go on the event days you do have to pay an entry fee (not much) but they do put a lot on and you can get fresh fish & chips from and old "chippie" van! Great stuff!

We went to a trains specific day at the weekend and had a lovely day. Very educational and interesting.

The main part of the museum is about the workings of the beam engine pumps, and also where and what they pump. If you visit when they are working all the better, There are also old vehicles, an old film theatre and small railway around the grounds.

A most interesting day if you are into heritage steam traction a converted sewage pumping station in good grounds with reasonable parking

We popped in here after a visit to the National Space centre and what a suprise, the children were so engrossed in all of the displays primarily from yesteryear. Brilliant for us too !

A nice day out n easy to get to by car and bus little kids love it n think it's interesting ,not the biggest place but great for kids to learn new things x

Abbey Pumping Station is a walk back in time.it is now a museum with 2 giant beam engines that used to pump the sewage from Leicester to the city farms.Also within the building is the history of the WC.and many other interesting exhibits.The best part about a visit is that it is FREE.Dave P.

I visited the Pumping Station on a day trip to Leicester. It is easy to get to via the No 54 bus from Leicester Station (about 15 minutes travel). It was full of interesting artefacts and information about Leicester's waterworks, going back to Roman times. The original steam pumping mechanisms are still working and can be viewed – a feat of Victorian engineering and ornate. A short video succinctly shows the equipment in action. There are a few oddities, such as a replica bicycle shop; a collection of typewriters; and early cinematography, but these are linked to Leicester's history.This is a suitable venue for adults and children, and is free. The staff were really helpful too. I recommend the trip.

Nice little day out!Interesting learning about how leicesters pumping system works!Very educational

My grandson just loved it here,so did we.It is a very good experience and lots to do for the price.Especially like the old coal fired fish and chip van.

Located directly across for NSC, we found it better and it was free, well worth a look. its a bit of fun and lovely gardens in the summer

Just about everything has been said, but if you do go to the space centre - make some extra time to go to the pumping station it's great and needs your support. One of Leicester's hidden gems

In the shadow of the expensive space centre, this donation entry Victorian pumping station is well worth a visit and my kids actually preferred it to the high tech neighbour. Whilst the main attraction is the beam engine room with huge pumping arms, the rest of the building is given over to the story of sanitation in Leicester. The highlight being the cut away toilet and rubber poo to drop in and flush, chase after and repeat. Some really nice displays of trams, moving images and interactive displays, plus some nice artefacts around the grounds. There is a small train which was not running on the day we were there. But there was a kids train set inside. Lots to look at and activity trails too. Go there and be generous with your donations!

This place is wonderful, the main engine and pump house is truly magnificent and has been restored with great care to maintain the equipment and facilities. The beam engines which drive the pumps are fantastic and can be seen in full steam when the site is open for special events and holidays. These engines represent the absolute ultimate in steam engine technology, having been originally installed just as the steam age was giving way to the era of the internal combustion engines which now dominate the world. There are many sophisticated features which make them unique, specially the rotating ball governors which control the speed and efficiency of these massive powerful beasts. The outdoor exhibits are not quite so spectacular and really require a warm summer day to fully appreciate, but the old workshops are fascinating if you can go when one of the specialist groups are on hand to explain all the exhibits and machinery on display you will get the best out of the site and have a wonderful days outing.