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OutdoorsFree entry

Abbey Pumping Station

Leicester, 1.3 miles from the city centre
Courtesy of Abbey Pumping Station

ENTRY

Free

SETTING

Outdoors

WHERE

Leicester

What it’s like

Industrial museum with beam engines and vintage vehicles - free entry, but only open on holiday Mondays and special event days.

Victorian beam engines, vintage vehicles and a hands-on industrial museum next door to the Space Centre - plus an outdoor play area and sensory garden when the weather plays ball.

General entry is free (suggested £3 donation) except on special event days when a charge applies. It is only open on Leicester City Council school-holiday Mondays and Railway Days / special events - check the events calendar before you set off, or you will find the gates shut.

Park at the National Space Centre (Corporation Road / LE4 5PX area) - there is no on-site parking. Toilets and wheelchair access are published.

Best paired with a Space Centre day if the calendar lines up.

Facilities

Toilets
Wheelchair accessible
Outdoor play
Picnic area
School visits
Group bookings
Dog friendly

Plan your visit

How much does Abbey Pumping Station cost?

It's free to get in. Some extras are priced; the full list is on this page.

Can we eat there?

Yes, there's a picnic area if you'd rather bring your own.

How accessible is it?

The venue lists wheelchair access.

Can the dog come?

Yes, it's listed as dog friendly. Worth checking any on-lead rules before you set off.

Do they do birthday parties?

Yes, the venue offers group bookings. Details and booking on their site.

Is it indoors?

No, this one's an outdoor day, so pick your weather.

How do we find it?

Parking is available at the neighbouring National Space Centre; there is no parking on site.

Areas to explore

  • Beam Engine House

    indoors

    Houses four Gimson & Co beam engines, restored to working condition; they run on special event days.

  • Children's Playground

    outdoors

    Technology-themed outdoor children's play area with themed play equipment and sand.

  • Forget Me Not Garden

    outdoors

    Sensory garden within the museum grounds.

  • Life in Leicester Displays

    indoors

    Displays about life in Leicester including a local cinema, washing facilities, trams, communication, toys and science.

  • Made in Leicester Gallery

    indoors

    Gallery featuring machines from Leicester's manufacturing industries such as knitting and shoe making, and a 1908 Leicester-built car, The Old Grey Mare.

  • Main Boiler House

    indoors

    Displays one of the eight Lancashire boilers that originally ran the beam engines.

  • Outdoor Exhibits

    outdoors

    Grounds include a steam shovel, Morris crane, Leicestershire Tardis and the old superintendent's house.

  • Transport Shed

    indoors

    Open on event days; includes vintage fire engines, buses, steam rollers, horse drawn carriages, several locomotives including Leonard the 1918 Bagnall steam engine, and a working fish and chip van.

Rides

  • Narrow-gauge Railway

    outdoors

    Steam locomotive rides; open on special event days and on Tuesdays during school holidays.

Featured in 3 Huddlepin lists

61HUDDLEPIN LISTFree days outBrilliant days out that don't cost a penny to get in.62HUDDLEPIN LISTMuseums & heritageCastles, caves, windmills and museums that don't feel like homework.108HUDDLEPIN LISTRainy-day savioursIndoors, warm and dry, for the days the weather lets you down.

See all Museums in Leicester · Things to do in Leicester

Also filed underScience & Discovery Centres in Leicester ›

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