Crossness Pumping Station
Abbey Wood
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The "Cathedral of Sewage": a Grade I listed Victorian pumping station by Abbey Wood with dazzling painted ironwork and the mighty beam engine Prince Consort, open on steaming days and for tours.
Built as part of Sir Joseph Bazalgette's great sewer system that cleaned up Victorian London, Crossness Pumping Station is one of the most surprising buildings in south-east London. Step inside and you're surrounded by richly painted, intricately patterned ironwork in the Octagon, which is why it's lovingly nicknamed the Cathedral of Sewage.
The star is Prince Consort, a magnificent beam engine that the volunteers of the Crossness Engines Trust bring back to life under steam on special days. You can wander the Beam Engine House, explore exhibitions including the Toilet Timeline (a cheerful journey through toilet design and sanitation), and meet the engineers and custodians, around 100 regular volunteers, who keep it all running.
Visiting
Crossness is a working museum that opens on selected dates only, such as steaming days, Christmas openings and the big Halloween Steampunk event, so book through the calendar on the website. Guided tours, private and group tours, and school visits are also available. On steaming days and most special events, a free vintage shuttle bus runs from Abbey Wood station.