Abbey Pumping Station, Leicester

The Abbey Pumping Station, located on Corporation Road in Leicester, stands as a testament to Victorian engineering and the evolution of public health infrastructure. Situated next to the National Space Centre, this historic site now serves as a museum of science and technology, offering visitors a glimpse into the city’s industrial past.

Built in 1891 by Leicester Corporation, the Abbey Pumping Station, designed by Stockdale Harrison, addressed the city’s sewage needs. Equipped with four Woolf compound beam engines from Gimson and Company, it pumped waste to Beaumont Leys, replacing a smaller station at Knighton. The Abbey Pumping Station vastly improved waste management, handling 20 million gallons daily by 1912. In 1939, a ram pump-the largest in Europe-was added. The station operated until 1964 when electric pumps took over.

In 1972, the Abbey Pumping Station was repurposed as a museum under the management of Leicestershire Museums, with its original beam engines preserved and gradually restored to full working order. Today, it stands as one of the few surviving historic pumping stations in the UK, offering visitors an educational experience centered around water, sewage management, and Leicester’s industrial heritage.

The museum’s collection extends beyond the steam engines, featuring exhibits on transport, public health, light and optics, civil engineering, and even vintage toys. A small film theatre and displays of historical domestic appliances further enrich the visitor experience. Outdoors, an eclectic assortment of industrial artifacts is on display, including a narrow-gauge railway and various transport-related items.

The museum not only preserves a vital piece of Leicester’s history but also provides insight into the technological advancements that have shaped modern sanitation and infrastructure.