Glimpse into the history of Leicester’s industrial, scientific and technological heritage at this museum set inside a former sewage pumping station.
The Abbey Pumping Station is a museum devoted to science and technology. The exhibits, which entertain visitors of all ages, showcase the industrial heritage of Leicester. Discover everything from historic steam engines to vintage vehicles and even an interactive toilet. Ride a narrow-gauge railway and look for ghosts in the supposedly haunted engine room basement.
The museum is housed in a 19th-century building that, up until 1964, was used to pump sewage from the city to a nearby treatment plant. Admire the building’s grand Victorian-era architecture and the massive steam shovel, which stands outside near the main entrance.
Among the standout items on show are the four huge, restored beam engines created by a local engineering company. These engines once powered the transportation of sewage to a disposal site at Beaumont Leys, northwest of the city. The steam-operated engines have been restored to working order and are demonstrated at various events throughout the year.
Head to the exhibit on public health and browse a curious collection of sanitary artifacts. These include examples of Roman water pipes and Victorian toilets as well as a door with numerous synonyms for bodily excrement scrawled all over it. Flush a toilet and watch as a fake poop makes its journey down a drain.
Browse an interesting display of vehicles, including steam locomotives and trams. On certain special days, visitors are welcome to step aboard for rides along the museum’s narrow-gauge railway track. Occasional guided tours bring visitors down to the museum’s basement, a spot some believe to be haunted. Ask museum staff about the tragic tale of Robert Richardson, an engineering labourer who died here after falling from the building’s roof.
The museum is a 10-minute drive from Leicester’s city centre. On-site parking is available and public buses stop nearby. Visit other attractions in the area such as the National Space Centre.
The Abbey Pumping Station is open daily from February to October. Adults are required to pay for admission, though children can enter for free. Find further details about special events on the museum’s official website.
