Welcome to Britain’s finest Victorian Waterworks
Award winning family museum and unique wedding venue

About Us

This beautiful place was designed in the early 1880s to pump millions of gallons of clean fresh water every day to the rapidly increasing population of Industrial Nottingham. Today, thanks to the endeavours of The Papplewick Pumping Station Trust, a Registered Charity dedicated to the preservation of the Pumping Station, and the enthusiasm of the volunteer members of the Papplewick Association you can still experience the most spectacular, preserved water Pumping Station in the British Isles.

Now protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument, the highest preservation order that can be bestowed upon a site in England, the Pumping Station holds regular steaming events throughout the year, wedding ceremonies and education visits enabling the Trust to continue the essential preservation of this important site for future generations.

Please feel free to offer your feedback, comments and criticisms on our feedback form. And feel free to visit our Facebook profile where we will announce forthcoming events as well. We look forward to seeing you soon.

To read the museum’s Collection Development Policy please click here:

To view Pumping Station photo gallery | archive views:

Our Events

Steam Events

The pumping station will be in steam on the dates below. Tickets can be bought online AND from the museum shop on the day of your visit. Tickets will become available usually two weeks before the event is scheduled to take place. Please note that it is cheaper to buy your tickets on line.

Steam Events

One Day Special Events

Performance Events

Other Opening Times

In addition to our advertised events, the pumping station and grounds are open on Wednesdays and Sundays, 11am-3pm (last admission 2pm) between the start of April and end of October.

Entrance to the grounds on these days is free. Admission into the pumping station itself, which includes a guided tour, is currently £4.00 per person. Children under 12 years of age go free.

Please be aware that the pumping station is not open to the public at other times except for pre-booked groups (of 15 or more people), site hires and wedding ceremonies.

Underground Reservoir Tours

Underground reservoir tours take place at steam events only. Tours cost an additional £4.00 per person and £1 per child (U16) and are bought on the day from the tour hut located at the top of the main drive.

NOTICE: Be aware that you must be moderately fit to go on the tour. The journey to the reservoir is via a converted trailer and there are two flights of stairs into and out of the reservoir. Depending on current Covid regulations you may also be required to wear a face covering.

Discount arrangements

Severn Trent Water employees are entitled to free entry to steam events. Please present your ID at the till upon arrival.

Unpaid carers who need to accompany the person they care for when they visit the pumping station are entitled to free entry on presentation of a Carer Passports, Carer Emergency Cards, Carers Discount Cards or an NHS letter confirming you are the person’s official carer. Please note that the person you care for will need to pay admission.

Access Arrangements

The majority of the site is accessible for all but due to the historical nature of the Engine House access is via a small flight of steps leading to the porch and main door; there are also internal stairs for reaching the upper floors. If you are thinking of visiting us please click here to view our Accessibility Guide.

Code of Practise

The Pumping Station abides by Visit Britain’s National Code of Practice for Visitor Attractions. To view the code, click here:

Our address

Papplewick Pumping Station
Rigg Lane
Ravenshead
Nottingham
NG15 9AJ

- What 3 Words ///animal.mason.lurching

Grid reference: SK584522



Map to help you get to Papplewick Pumping Station / Layout of the grounds at Papplewick Pumping Station