Markfield Beam Engine and Museum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Markfield Road Pumping Station |
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| Location | Tottenham London, N15 United Kingdom |
| OS grid reference | TQ 34410 88782 |
| Built | 1886 |
| Original use | Sewage treatment |
| Current use | Museum |
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Listed Building – Grade II
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| Designated | 1974 |
| Reference no. | 1358862 |
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The Markfield Road Pumping Station, also known as the Markfield Beam Engine and Museum, is a special historic building in London. It holds a huge old steam engine called a beam engine. This amazing machine was built way back in 1886. Its main job was to pump dirty water, called sewage, from the area of Tottenham to a big treatment plant. Today, the area around the building is a lovely public park called Markfield Park. A small river, the River Moselle, also meets the River Lea right here.
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The Amazing Markfield Beam Engine
The Markfield Beam Engine is a very large steam engine that stands on its own. It has a giant wheel, called a flywheel, which is about 27 feet (8.2 meters) tall! This flywheel helps move a long, strong arm, or "beam," that is 21 feet (6.4 meters) long.
How the Engine Works
The long beam is connected to two special pumps called "plunger pumps." Each pump is 26 inches (66 cm) wide and moves 51 inches (130 cm) up and down with each stroke. When the engine was working, it would turn about 16 times every minute. Each pump could move an incredible 2 million gallons (9 million liters) of water every single day!
The engine itself is also very beautiful. It has fancy decorations, including columns that look like ancient Greek "Doric" style and carvings of "acanthus" leaves.
A Look Back: History of the Pumping Station
The original sewage works in this area opened in 1864. It was part of a bigger plan to manage London's drainage system. The powerful beam engine you see today was built by a company called Wood Brothers in 1886 and started working in 1888. It replaced an older, smaller engine.
This engine is very special because it is the only one of its kind from Wood Brothers that is still in its original place. It worked continuously, day and night, from when it was installed until 1905. After that, it was mostly used only when there was a lot of rainwater to pump. The pumping station finally stopped working in February 1964, when a newer treatment plant took over its job.
Saving a Piece of History
In 1970, a group called the River Lee Regional Park Authority took over the engine house. A team of dedicated volunteers decided to restore the old engine. They formed a group called the River Lee Industrial Archaeology Society. Because of its importance, the engine house and the engine itself were given a special "Grade II listed" status in 1974, meaning they are protected historic buildings. The Markfield Beam Engine and Museum was officially created in 1984.
Over the years, more than £3 million (which is a lot of money!) was spent to restore the engine, the building, and the park around it. The park was fully restored by April 2010, and both the park and the museum reopened to the public. This money came from different groups, including the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Today, the museum is open on Sundays and Bank Holidays. Sometimes, the amazing beam engine is even run for visitors to see it in action!
Recent Changes
In 2025, the Markfield Beam Engine and Museum joined forces with another nearby museum, the Walthamstow Pumphouse Museum. They now work together as one organization called the Heritage and Communities Trust.
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