Claverton Pumping Station Family Fun weekend

Picture by Bob Naylor©

This weekend (May 29th and 30th) not only will visitors to Claverton Pumping Station near Bath on the Kennet & Avon Canal see the amazing water driven pump in action — but there will also be a host of other activities to suit all ages.

There will be a canal artist at work and you will be able to:

• learn to tie knots and lasso
• learn about canal life and history
• learn more about wildlife
• learn how to build model railways

There will also be homemade cakes and refreshments to enjoy on the lawn as you take in the beautiful scenery.

Pictures by Bob Naylor©

Entrance fee: £5 for adults. Children under 16 are free if accompanied by an adult.
Open: 10am until 5pm (last admission 4:30pm)

Website: www.claverton.org

Fact file:

John Rennie had the waterwheel powered pumping station built at Claverton to supply water to the Limpley Stoke valley length of the Kennet & Avon Canal. 

It was completed in 1813 and it operated continuously until 1952. It then lay derelict for 15 years until a group of enhusiasts restored the waterwheel, beam engines and pumps to full working order. 

It re-opened in 1978 and the Claverton Group continue to maintain and operate the Pumping Station.

The waterwheel and pumping machinery which are housed in a pump house built of Bath stone use the river's own power to pump water 48 feet up from the River Avon.

It burns no fuel and makes no waste — it is the ultimate in environmentally friendly technology.