History of the site

A powerhouse of Victorian engineering.

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The London Museum of Water & Steam is located at the former Kew Bridge Pumping Station, a vital part of London’s 19th-century water supply network.

Built in 1838 by the Grand Junction Water Works Company, the site played a crucial role in delivering clean water to a growing city during a time of rapid industrial and population expansion.

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At its peak, the pumping station was home to some of the most advanced steam-powered engines of the era. Many of these original engines have been lovingly restored and still operate today – making our collection one of the most significant of its kind in the world.

The site continued to evolve through the late 19th and early 20th centuries before finally ceasing operation in 1944. Thanks to a passionate group of engineers and volunteers, the museum first opened to the public in the 1970s as the Kew Bridge Steam Museum, later becoming the London Museum of Water & Steam in 2014.