Kempton Steam Museum — Attraction in London

An absolutely staggering, almost overwhelming place on arrival. Just as we walked in they were starting the Sir William Prescott engine. It was astounding to hear and see. I was quite moved. This machine is three stories tall. Gargantuan. The sight, noise (gentle, but so distinctly mechanical) smell (of lubricating oil) scale, grandeur and beauty knocked me for six.

The staff were all very friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable. Any questions I had were more than fully answered.

A minor complaint: not enough seats at which to sit and enjoy my cuppa. However, it was v busy on the day we went.

More seriously: Unfortunately, I simply couldn't hear our guide at all when they ran the engine, which was a real shame. Even when it was not running, it was difficult to hear him due to the high level of background noise, amplified as it was in this cavernous space. I wear hearing aids, but I wasn't the only one so affected in my tour.

Can this be addressed in some way?

Without this problem, the museum would definitely have got a rating of 5 stars.

I cannot believe that someone could come away unimpressed by this place. Even complete mechanical numpties. If you can, go on a day when they...

“Steaming Weekends” at the defunct Waterworks an unexpectedly riveting and absorbing spectacle and a rare peep into Britain’s industrial/engineering heritage, engines fired-up in working mode for pump action: fluttering dials, flywheels, gauge board, condensers, vacuum breakers and (my favourite) those otherworldly “mercury arc rectifiers.” All that so purposed heavy metal under the watchful gaze of enthusiastic volunteers in “Percil-white” overalls, bringing clips-boards, oilcans and spanner’s to the works ! Guided Tours and an exceptionally well annotated free guide book while you navigate the access staircases snaking between the incomprehensible equipment - puts Tate Modern’s “Instillation Art” to shame. And now it’s tea-break time 🕰️ amidst the throbbing apparatus. The warm-hearted, approachable and enthusiastic camaraderie evident here makes for a truly memorable amateur hour (or so) Unhesitatingly...

Absolutely loved visiting the museum the this August steam weekend

The whole place is run by voulenters who are very passionate about what they do their knowledge is amazing.

Even when I asked very obscure questions they knew the answers I was incredibly impressed.

The entrance few is only £10 wich I think is very reasonable.

We took a tour of the great engine which wasn't running it was simply stunning to feel so tiny and powerless next to a monster of steam engineering. Simply everything on the engine was massive.

The tour also showed us the old Mercury arc rectifiers which I personally think are one of the most beautiful things ever made its simply something you have to see in person to appreciate.

There is a sectioned turbine turned by a small electric motor so you can see how it worked in days gone by powering a centrifugal water pump

There is also a historic steam railway onside you can pay to...