This place it was on my wishlist for a very long time and I got to visit there a few months ago. After we have parked we have been transferred to the pumpng station by a small train. The history behind the crossness pumping station is amazing with a lot of information and maps to read and understand the whole history behind it. The place transforms the visitor back to the 18th century when all the workers there were lived, all around the pumping station. They had their own school, chapel and playing grounds. The building is well maintained and is been run by volunteers. The colours of the decor is just how it would have been in the Victorian times. There are another 2 outbuildings which the one at the far end it houses the maintenance department full of equipment, for repairing machines onsite and the the one at the front it houses different engines from different eras. Some of these engines were running while we were there which was great to see.The volunteers are always there to answer any questions you have. I would definitely go back for another visit as is an outstanding building with so much history behind it.

I never thought I'd enjoy visiting here, but it was brilliant. Well worth going to the open day. The history talk was interesting, and there is lots of information to read to learn more. The highlight was seeing the amazing stream pumps. The work the volunteers do is amazing and they were all lovely to talk to. Would definitely recommend a visit.

A good fun experience. Start with a small gauge railway journey to the site, all run and managed by very knowledgeable, experienced and helpful volunteers. Steeped in history. The most amazing engineering project, that not only serviced our city but aesthetically is a wonder to the eye. The renovations are still in progress but to see the unrestored and restored, side by side, helps to emphasise the amount of work put in. A wonderful day out for any age.

Fabulous experience, the introductory talk from Mike was a fascinating introduction to the Crossness history. Our guide for the following 2 hour tour, (Arnie an ex-plumber!) was brilliant and entertaining, full of fascinating facts. A great day out. Book it!

Excellent place to visit. Really interesting with loads of volunteers to answer questions and explain things. Great day out if you like Victorian engineering and design.

Wanted to visit this place for a long time, it was worth the wait great morning out. Considering it is run buy volunteers it's great and they all do an excellent job. A bonus as well as it being very interesting. I had a lovely cup of coffee. Would recommend it if you can get tickets.

It is hard to explain why you can get excited visiting a Victorian sewage pumping station. The restored sections of internal architecture are stunning. The story is interesting and well worth a visit. It all felt a bit "amateur hour" getting there, but worthwhile.

I saw a few photos on the website and decided it was worth a visit. Fortunately, the engine was running (as was the narrow gauge railway to take you from the entrance of the site close to the building, although it’s only a 5 minute walk anyway). I’d recommend pre booking AND arriving as early as possible in the morning. As I was leaving, there were long queues to get into the engine area. I’d say it’s a must see place if you love Victorian engineering and/or architecture I don’t know why more people haven’t heard of this place! Hints: Expect a 30 minute walk from Abbey Wood station wear flat shoes as you can’t walk on the grid upstairs Attend the scale model talk about the sewerage solution Have a ride in the railway if it’s running Talk to the volunteer guides. They know a lot and put it into prospective. Don’t bank on food or drink at the cafe as the seating area isn’t big enough

Interesting place. Grade I and Grade II listed buildings. Houses large Victorian steam unfortunately there was a fault with one of them so was unable to see it in action. Victorian ironwork also on display. Single gauge railway was on operation on the day I went which was short but fantastic. Volunteers were friendly and helpful.

Incredible piece of Victorian architecture designed by Bazalgette in 1800s to provide sewage system for London. Amazingly ornate restored ironwork. Steam driven 3 cylinder beam engined pump. The biggest beam in UK. Knowledgeable friendly guides.

We were on a project there so not sure what it’s like on a normal open day! The volunteers were very helpful, and staff generally ok. It took me about 30 plus minutes to walk from Abbey Wood Station to the main gate. It’s a further 15 minutes or so walk uphill a bit. However I believe I could have entered from the greenway path bit. So might have been more simple to get in there. We were lucky that one of the volunteers drove to the gate to collect us, as they weren’t gonna let us foot soldiers in without PPE. High visibility clothing etc, thus said this was a private booking so maybe on an open day it’s different. Nice location and very well preserved. Don’t just turn up check websites for dates and further information.

Just the most fantastic place to view stunning Victorian engineering. Brilliant tour and talk and very good value refreshments. It is a bit of a walk from the carpark, but hopefully in the near future transport will be available.

Visited on an open day. Went to a 15 minute talk on the building and history which was both entertaining and informative. The small exhibition inside was fascinating answering questions like what did people use for loo paper before it had been invented. One of the four pumping engines had been restored together with some ornate wrought ironwork. Fabulous and unusual place to visit.

Brilliant place, run by enthusiastic volunteers. Open to the public only once a month: check the website.

Very interesting visit. There are a few pump stations around London, and I was always wondering what they were used for, and how do they work. Well, they explained everything here! The restored Victorian iron works are fantastic, unfortunately the day I visited the actual pump (one of the 4 originally in operation at the station) was out of order, but it was possible to compare the state of the other 3. I particularly loved the exhibition of Victorian toilet bowls, and also the practical demonstration of how the pump stations work is a must see.

Lots to see here, not just the fantastic job the volunteers have done to restore some of the Victorian engines. A display detailing how the horribly polluted Thames was spared London's sewage by Bazalguette's new system, an insight into the cutting edge technology of that era, together with a cafe, toilets and shop. A railway runs on certain days along one side of the site. Right next to the Thames Path, although the entrance here is not the main one, so check before a visit if you are intending using it (the main entrance does have a car park if driving).

Splendid and ingenious example of Victorian architecture and also remarkable technical achievement of 1800s engineering. The amazing research for details visible on both brickwork and ironworks shows not only the incredible skills of the Victorian craftsmen but also the great care that Victorian designers used to put in their architectural compositions. Last but not least, the main function of the pumping station, very well explained by the knowledgeable tour guides: having the giant cast-iron beams pumping tons of fluids every second coming from the whole city of London, a result excellently achieved over numerous decades. An exciting and inspiring excursion.

Amazing place to visit, and wonderful to see the preservation that has taken place. Apart from the interesting history and beautiful building, the staff are amazing so lovely and kind, never mind knowledgeable, and we were allowed to take the dog with us which was a massive bonus. Highly recommend a visit to a truly unique piece of history.

This site says so much about the engineering and infrastructure required to keep a modern city functioning and the moral cost we pay for such luxuries. The restoration alone is worth a visit!

Great place to see a historic part of London's development. They are going to great lengths to restore it.

I have been wanting to visit Crossness since I moved to London about 15 years ago. Finally got the opportunity to visit this weekend and was not disappointed. The exhibition is very interesting, with just the right amount of information. Seeing the restored engines and buildings is amazing, I can't believe the amount of effort that has gone into the restoration. All the volunteers are very welcoming and helpful.

A great experience made even better by the knowledgeable volunteer guides. Allow 2 to 3 for this.

Big surprise awaits the visitor. Unique decor and architecture and a working enormous pump. Material for a lot of sewage jokes. Recommended. Volunteers all lovely and enjoying what they do.

Very interesting building. The restoration is impressive and the volunteers are extremely friendly and knowledgeable.

A historical tribute to a Victorian genius. If you have used a loo South of the river it will probably have come here. Maintained by a small dedicated group of volunteers the place is a cathedral of Engineering

I visited here in 2016 after seeing a documentary about it on television. Being a frequent visitor to England I decided to visit on my next trip. I took a bus from central London where I was staying and ended up getting lost and walking down the middle of a freeway hahaha! Eventually I found my way back to the Thames which I followed until I finally found it. There were staff on premises who politely informed me that they were closed. Feeling a bit dejected I told them about my journey from the states/how I'd seen the documentary which fascinated me. Any window I can take a peek through to see Victorian London I am in. They took pity on me and a man by the name of Wally decided to give me my own private tour of the facility. It was amazing. After the tour ended I asked for directions to get me back to the train station. They told me I was quite far from the nearest one and a staff member gave me a ride in their personal vehicle to the train station where I was able to return to Bayswater. Thank you to the staff and namely Wally for everything they did for me that day. One of my favorite memories ever. Visit this place if you get a chance. It's very beautifully maintained. And maybe look up the hours they are open before you go!

Wer etwas Zeit hat und sich für die Technik interessiert, der sollte den Weg nach Abbey Wood machen. Ein sehr interessanter Ort, der durch die Guide erklärt werden. Vielen Dank an Jane, meinen Guide, sie hat mir alles wunderbar und perfekt erklärt. Die ganze Anlage ist wirklich ein Besuch wert.

We booked a guided tour of Crossness Pumping Station. It was both fascinating and interesting and the most beautiful architecture. Very well organised, taken round in small groups. You need to book well ahead for the tours but they also have open days on some Sundays which get much busier. Excellent day out.

Really interesting visit outside of London. The museum was good and the volunteers did a great job with questions. Unfortunately the train is down for repairs since Dec. And the pump is kept off due to a large crack in a structural beam which supports it. The site is still safe to visit and walk around. You will see all the restoration and plenty of models about how it all works. We still had a great time. With the walk from the car park and back, we spent 2.5 hrs.

Very interesting visit and to see the beam engines. Voluntarily workers have done great work on restoration