Abbey Pumping Station

Leicester's Museum of Science and Technology is appropriately located in a late 19th century sewage pumping station and house rare examples of working beam steam engines.

Abbey Pumping Station is Leicester's Museum of Science and Technology, displaying the city's industrial, technological and scientific heritage. Situated adjacent to the National Space Centre, the two attractions tell the story of over 200 years of science and technology from the early days of steam and industry, to the space exploration of today.

The museum is located in a late 19th century sewage pumping station. Work began on Abbey Pumping Station in 1887 and was completed in 1891. The station, with its four massive steam engines, used to pump 208,000 gallons of raw sewage every hour to the treatment works at Beaumont Leys 2.4km away. The grand Victorian building and beautifully decorated beam engines were a cause of great civic pride. The site expanded during the 20th century to include additional electric pumps, storm water tanks and sewage cleaning facilities. The station received all of Leicester's sewage from 1891 until 1964 when a new treatment works opened at Wanlip, about 8km from the town.

When it closed in 1964, the site was preserved because of the four magnificent beam steam engines. The engines were built in Leicester by Gimson's and today are rare examples of Woolf compound rotative beam engines. In 1972 the site reopened as a museum, with the beam engines as the main attraction. Three of the four engines have been restored back to working condition.

The might, power and beauty of Victorian engineering can be seen throughout the year, and working at special steam events, the only place in Britain this impressive sight can be seen.
The museum also has exhibitions on light and optics, public health and historic transport, including an impressive historic vehicle collection.

Current highlights include:

Flushed With Pride
Have you ever wondered if Thomas Crapper lent his name to anything? Or how our grandparents washed clothes without electricity? How did we take a bath before bathrooms? And how did we go to the loo? Find out in this fascinating visual and interactive treat, which lets you discover the science and history of Leicester's public health, including the famous interactive loo!

Fun at the Flicks
Ever been to the cinema and wondered how a motion picture works? Or what type of 'game boys' Victorian and Edwardian children played with? Fun at the Flicks is a hands-on exhibition, which discovers the science and history of moving pictures from 1800s to 1895. You'll be amazed at how easily your brain can be tricked!

Transport of Delight
Take a nostalgic look at the history of Leicester's tram system. Old photographs, artefacts and personal recollections celebrate the history of Leicester's trams and the impact they had on the life of people and development of the city.