You might be thinking that old steam engines are about as interesting as watching a kettle boil but a visit to Crofton's beam engines offers much more than just the smell of coke, hiss of steam and sound of heavy engineering echoing out the past.

The pumping station was built in 1809 and by making use of the Industrial Revolution's latest technology provided a steady supply of water to the Kennet and Avon Canal.

The station became home to two powerful beam engines, one of which today remains the world's oldest working beam engine - a significant boast when you consider that it's 191 years old.

Hot and steamy

Believe it or not, there's something rather raw and physical about these old beam engines, with all that rythmical movement, thrusting pistons and all-pervasive coal-fired aroma.

And it doesn't take much of an imagination to start making a connection between the erotic, bodice-ripping novels of Jane Austen and the all-powerful, heavy-engineering heroes of the Industrial Revolution...but hang on, let's get back to the real world...!

Great location

The thing about Crofton is location, location, location - to quote your favourite estate agent.

It was very decent of the canal's designers to chose Crofton as a location for their shiny-new pumping station.

On top of a hill, the place offers some wonderful views of the Wiltshire countryside and, who can resist spending a leisurely hour or so walking the nearby towpath, watching the boats gently drift by or catching the momentary flash of a colourful kingfisher?

And for those who are still hooked on big bits of machinery, Crofton Pumping Station is conveniently sited next to a mainline railway where 125s thunder by at a safe 80 or 90 miles an hour offering a friendly two-tone blast as they pass through.

Big nuts and bolts

But back in the engine house, the boilers, the pipes, valves, pistons and pumps all add up to a fascinating glimpse into the way the world used to be, before printed circuits and microchips ruled the roost.

And although Crofton is worth a visit even when not in steam, the engines are at their best when fired up and doing the job they were designed for: lifting huge amounts of water some forty feet from the nearby Wilton reservoir to the canal's summit.

As you walk around, there are few barriers to obscure your view, which, although safety is paramount, means you are allowed to get up-close to all that heavy, sweating engineering.

So whether you're keen on the Industrial Revolution, a romantic who is passionate about early nineteenth century literature, a bird lover, a canal boater, a train spotter... there's going to be plenty to see and do at Crofton Pumping Station!

• Click here to visit the new official Crofton Website.

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sam swan
a super feast for the eyes and ears