Drive It Day at Crofton Beam Engines

Drive It Day and Crofton in Steam

Why should I come?

With over 300 cars visiting Crofton last year we have made the decision to fire up our boiler and run our engines for the morning and early afternoon on Drive It Day.

See Crofton in Steam and watch our 200 hundred year old engines pumping water for the Kennet and Avon Canal is a unique experience and one not to be missed.

Combine this with a wonderful drive through some of Wiltshire’s most beautiful Countryside and you will have a day out to remember, as well as helping the NSPCC.

What is Drive It Day?

Drive It Day was created by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs in 2005. For one day a year, historical enthusiasts and the public come together to celebrate the One Thousand Mile Trial, first organised in 1900 to celebrate the motorcar.

In 2021 the Federation Partnered with NSPCC’s Childline and Drive It Day has raised over £100,000 to help support vulnerable children and young people.

Many of our volunteers are also classic car enthusiasts and they will have some of their cars on display at Crofton Beam Engines and be taking part in Drive It Day.

Our site will be open on the 27th of April from 10.00 to 16.30, steaming times 10.30 to 15.00 to welcome visitors to the Grade I listed Engine House where you can see our Lancashire Boiler, several standing engines, and of course our beam engines. We can provide car parking and we will have a refreshment area to tempt visitors to buy tea, coffee and cake.

Access to the site is free for all. There is a charge for accessing the Engine House but we are offering discounted access to drivers. See our website for more information about Crofton Beam Engines, a Branch of The Kennet and Avon Canal Trust.

Crofton Pumping Station

Crofton Pumping Station is one of the most significant industrial heritage sites in the United Kingdom and a fascinating visitor attraction that invites you to step into our industrial and social history and turn back the clock to a time when steam was king. The station was built in 1807-9 to supply water to the highest point of the Kennet & Avon Canal which links London and Bristol. It is a rare survivor of the technology which enabled British engineers to drain mines and supply towns and cities with water throughout the world. In 2018 The National Lottery Heritage Fund supported conservation and visitor facility improvement work across the site.