Coleham Pumping Station — Attraction in Shrewsbury

Coleham Pumping Station in Shrewsbury is a former sewage pumping station, built to stop effluent flowing into the River Severn. Shrewsbury grew rapidly during the Victorian era and sewage from the town flower directly into the river. Towards the end of the 19th century, the Shrewsbury Corporation passed a resolution to solve the problem. The solution was to link the sewers to flow to the lowest point under gravity and then the pumping station would lift the waste up the hill to once again flow under gravity to the new sewage farm at Monkmoor. From 1897 to 1898, two large, steam-driven beam engines were built by Renshaw's of Stoke-on-Trent, fed by two Cornish boilers. The engines were housed in a chapel-like brick building, completed in 1900. The pumping station was opened by the Mayoress on 1st January 1901. The site pumped both effluent and storm water until electric pumps were installed in 1970. The site is open for Heritage Open Days where is it run by the Shrewsbury...

I have just spent my Sunday morning at the Pumping Station and it was a fantastic visit. The volunteers are enthusiastic and full of knowledge on the workings of the pumps. Really lovely atmosphere and well preserved. Well worth a visit and it was only £4. Delicious homemade cakes and refreshments for a small donation. Super decorations on the seats. I would recommend a visit when...

We attend practically every open day, lovely welcoming volunteers, who are very patient with my inquisitive 5 year old. Lovely to see the pump engine running, but also great to see the rail layouts and other collections that are brought in :) well...