Claverton Pumping Station

Claverton Pumping Station is an industrial water-lifting facility built in the early 1800s to serve the Kennet and Avon Canal near Bath. Inside the stone building, a large wooden water wheel drives cast iron beams that pump river water upward without using fuel or electricity.

Built between 1809 and 1813 by engineer John Rennie, the station solved water supply challenges for the canal system. The structure represents Georgian-era engineering and shows how water power was harnessed to lift water for canal operations.

Engineering students from the University of Bath contributed to the restoration efforts during the 1960s and 1970s, returning the station to functionality.

Access depends on volunteer availability, so it is wise to check opening times before visiting. Visitors should be prepared to climb stairs and move through tight spaces to see the machinery inside the building.

The facility powers itself entirely with water from the River Avon, directed through a custom channel called a leat into the water wheel. This passive system has operated without any fuel or electricity since its construction over 200 years ago.

Location: Claverton

Website: https://claverton.org

GPS coordinates: 51.37810,-2.30167

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:02