Steaming Day at Clay Mills Victorian Pumping Station
Overview
Today we get an opportunity to see a Victorian Pumping station all fired up and working!
Your entrance fee of £10.00 will include a 20 minute talk from one of the volunteers and we will then be free to wander around the site and watch the engines working. We can also walk around the Visitor Centre.
The Visitor Centre contains a display of artefacts relating to the site and information about the sewage treatment process which can no longer be seen.
"Metals from Stones" is a geological and metallurgical display to demonstrate how the iron, steel and brass etc. used around the site in steam engines, pumps and structures is made.
A 12 minute video presentation showing the site in operation can be viewed on request.
Clay Mills Victorian Pumping Station was completed in 1885 and originally pumped sewage from Burton upon Trent to farmland about 3 miles away. Most of the waste was from Burtons many breweries which explains why the facility was so large for such a small town.
The site was closed in 1971 and restoration work began in 1993.
There have been very few changes to the engines and machinery since the station was opened so it retains its essential character as a masterpiece of Victorian industrial achievement.
There is an onsite cafe where we can have a cuppa and a cake or sandwich after our visit.
Includes
- Your Spice Host
- Spice admin fee
Extras
- Entrance fee is £10.00 pay on the day.
- Any food or drink bought at the on site cafe.
Location & Itinerary
The Stokers Rest Café & Bookshop are open during normal museum opening times. Hot and cold drinks and cold snacks are available in addition to a variety of books, shirts & memorabilia.
On steaming days, a selection of sandwiches, cakes etc. are also available.
A wide variety of books, magazines, jigsaw puzzles, videos etc are available in the bookshop.
By Road
• From the A38, take the north Burton (CLAY MILLS) exit and follow the A5121 towards Burton.
When approaching from the south, take care - the exit slip has a sharp 180° bend.
Meadow Lane is approximately ½ mile from the junction.
Look for the brown signs at the A38 junction and again at Meadow Lane.
• From Burton town centre, follow signs for Derby (A38).
After passing Arnold Clark's motorstore, watch out for the brown sign at Meadow Lane.
• For SatNav, use postcode "DE13 0DA" to get to Meadow Lane.
• For What3words, the location of our main gate is rating.audio.brass.
• Please observe normal Highway Code rules for the level crossing and do not attempt to cross after the lights have started to flash.
By Train
• Although the Burton to Derby line passes right by the pumping station, the trains generally do not stop there!
The nearest station is Burton on Trent.
By Bus
• The X38 (Burton to Derby) direct service passes the end of Meadow Lane in both directions every 15mins. The nearest stops are the Beech Hotel and the A38 junction. Both are approximately 15mins walk to the pumping station.
• The number 17 Midland Classic stops at Arnold Clark's motorstore every hour but runs in the mornings only. This is approximately 10mins walk
All parking is free.
On-site parking is available for approximately 15 vehicles.
On steaming days, ample parking is available approximately 50 yards (45m) from the site - turn left after the level crossing. Blue badge parking is available on the road opposite the level crossing.
Visiting historic vehicles and motorbikes will usually be found a space on-site as an added attraction for other visitors.
Please do not park on the road marked with double yellow lines as this will obstruct access by Severn Trent's HGV tanker traffic.
Host & Everything Else
Gallery
