Papplewick Pumping Station

Papplewick Pumping Station is a red brick pumping station in a Gothic Revival style located in Nottinghamshire. The building houses two beam engines and six Lancashire boilers that operate during regular public demonstrations.

The station was built between 1881 and 1884 to supply fresh water to Nottingham as the city expanded rapidly during industrialization. Its creation came at a time when industrial cities needed solutions to support growing populations.

The station shows how Victorians moved water into their growing cities and solved the engineering challenges that came with it. Visitors can see how critical these machines were to Nottingham's expansion.

The building is accessible with guided tours showing how the machinery operates. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear, as some areas involve stairs or uneven surfaces.

The underground reservoir chambers reveal a hidden world of Victorian water engineering below ground. Visitors can descend into tunnels to see how water was stored and distributed across the city.

Location: Papplewick

Accessibility: Wheelchair limited access

Operator: Papplewick Pumping Station Trust

Address: Rigg Lane, Ravenshead, Notts, NG15 9AJ

Email: director@papplewickpumpingstation.org.uk

Website: https://papplewickpumpingstation.org.uk

GPS coordinates: 53.06300,-1.13141

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:28