Papplewick Pumping Station

General information

Set in the tranquil Nottinghamshire countryside Papplewick Pumping Station was built between 1882 and 1885 to meet Nottingham’s rapidly growing demand for clean fresh water. Its two steam driven James Watt beam engines were in constant use until 1969 when the site was converted to electric submersible pumps but the site continues to pump 3 million gallons of water for the city. The Station is regarded as the finest surviving fresh water pumping station in England and is unique in retaining all of its original features including its six hand fired Lancashire boilers, two James Watt beam engines and underground reservoir. The Trustees, in conjunction with the University of Nottingham and other stakeholders, are now working on the Water Education Trust project which aims to increase the public’s awareness of water related issues and encourage a better, more sustainable use of water.