Update! Repairs successful. Thank you!

We are delighted to announce that we have been able to repair the wheel with the money raised. Including Gift Aid we raised about £10,400. The total repair project will probably come in a little less than this total. An excess will be put into a sinking fund for the next time the machinery needs repair.

Thank you to everyone who donated.

About Claverton Pumping Station

Claverton Pumping Station is one of the country's largest and most powerful waterwheels. The waterwheel drives huge pumps that can lift 100,000 gallons of water an hour into the canal near Bath. This water allowed boats to carry goods to and from Bath and Bristol during the Industrial Revolution.

The pumping station operated from 1813 until 1952 with only minor alterations. It ceased operation in 1952 when a large number of gear teeth were damaged. Rather than repair the pumping station, a diesel engine was used purchased to pump to the canal.

In the 1970s, the pumping station was restored to full working order by volunteers. Since this time, our volunteers have opened the pumping station as a museum and run the machinery for the public. Volunteers have worked thousands of hours each year to keep the pumping station operational and open to the public.

Cracks in the Cast Iron

Last year during routine maintenance, we discovered cracks in the 200-year-old cast iron frame of the waterwheel. The machinery cannot be run again until these cracks have been repaired.

Repairing such an old cast iron machine is not a simple task. We need to complete a thorough inspection of the cast iron and work with professional millwrights to design the best repair for the machinery. We remain optimistic that the castings can be repaired and that the pump will be operational again.

We are raising funds to help with both the inspection and the repairs. We will use this funding for equipment to help us access the machinery's inner reaches, as we must remove paint and limescale before the iron can be inspected. Once we have completed a preliminary inspection, the funding will allow us to work with contractors to complete a detailed examination and to plan and complete the repairs.

This year at Claverton Pumping Station

In 2023 Claverton Pumping Station will be open as a museum while inspection and repairs continue. We will open from April to October on the second Saturday and second Tuesday of each month.

Alongside inspections, our volunteers will continue regular maintenance of the site and the machinery. We are a small friendly volunteer group that is always looking for new members from all backgrounds and with any level of experience. For further information, please contact enquiries@claverton.org

Preparatory works for inspection are currently on hold as we have experienced significant flooding in January 2023. Once the flood water recedes, we will need to clear up the site and check that no further damage has been done.