Abbey Pumping Station

Steam Toys in Action
2025-02-23 12:00 - 16:30 (Europe/London)
This is our 35th year of this popular event – See our one of our Beam Engines in steam and enjoy the many miniature steam engines, boats and trains on display

Admission Charges apply, please click here for details

Leicester’s only narrow gauge railway will be giving rides. Enjoy a hot cuppa and a cake in the LMTA café, a perfect end to a perfect day. Please note the Cafe is cash only.

Train rides are £0.50 per person, under 3 yrs travel for free. Get your ticket at the station, cash only, or go to Reception where you can pay by card.

All events may be subject to change without prior notice. All engines and working exhibits operate subject to availability and safe working.

Car parking is available on the National Space Centre Car park, currently £4.00 per vehicle.

Half-Term Railway Day
2025-02-18 11:30 - 16:00 (Europe/London)
At this event Peter will be the engine running on the railway, make sure you say “hello” to Peter and even get your photo taken with him!

This event is an affordable day out with the children.

Entrance to the museum is free.

Train rides are £0.50 per person, under 3 yrs travel for free. Get your ticket at the station, cash only, or go to Reception where you can pay by card.

There is a museum-themed playground and sand pit for the children, with seating located near by, where you can sit with a snack and drink from the “Switch Room Cafe” located in the Beam Engine House. There are also interactive exhibits that both children and adults can use.

Christmas Steam Day
2024-12-01 11:30 - 16:00 (Europe/London)
At the beginning of December we have our traditional Christmas Event.

Admission Charges apply, please click here for details

Come down and hear the band playing music in the Beam Engine house with one of the beam engines running.

The Transport Shed will be full of exhibits, including the 3-rail layout in the ‘Smiths Bookstall’ from Leicester London Road Station.

The site Narrow-gauge steam railway will be running with decorated coaches and Leonard in charge. Train rides are 50p per person, under 3 years go for free.

You can pay for your ride at the Station – cash only, or you can buy a train ticket at Reception and pay by card.

The Café will be open serving light refreshments throughout the event, in the Switch Room.

In the Gallery is a model railway with buildings from around Leicester, how many can you remember?

Several Museum Vehicles will be displayed around the site.

Come and see Thomas and friends on the Forget-Me_Not Garden railway at the front of the museum. He will be running with decorated wagons.

Steam with the Team
2024-11-30 11:00 - 15:00 (Europe/London)
Saturday 30th November 2024

Admission to museum galleries is free but tours of the Beam Engine House is by ticket only.

Maximum group size per tour is 20. Recommended for those aged 10 years and above.

Please click here for Ticket Prices

Tours start at 11.00am, 12.15pm, 2.00pm and 3.15pm and each take approximately one hour. This is your chance to question the tour guides on the engines and their function whilst walking round the whole Beam Engine House, including the basement, all whilst one of the engines is running.

To book tickets, please click here

Steam with the Team
2024-10-26 11:00 - 15:00 (Europe/London)
Saturday 26th October 2024

Admission to museum galleries is free but tours of the Beam Engine House is by ticket only.

Maximum group size per tour is 20. Recommended for those aged 10 years and above.

Please click here for Ticket Prices

Tours start at 11.00am, 12.15pm, 2.00pm and 3.15pm and each take approximately one hour. This is your chance to question the tour guides on the engines and their function whilst walking round the whole Beam Engine House, including the basement, all whilst one of the engines is running.

To book tickets, please click here

Half Term Railway Day
2024-10-22 11:30 - 16:00 (Europe/London)
‘Peter’ the engine

At this event Peter will be the engine running on the railway, make sure you say hello to Peter and even get your photo taken with him!

This event is an affordable day out with the children.

Entrance to the museum is free. Train rides are £0.50 per person, under 3 yrs travel for free. Get your ticket at the station, cash only, or go to Reception where you can pay by card.

There is a museum themed playground and sand pit as well for the children with seating located near by, where you can sit with a snack and drink from the ‘Switch Room’ Cafe, located in the Beam Engine house. There are also interactive exhibits that both children and adults can use in the Gallery.

Railway Day with Models
2024-10-05 11:30 - 16:30 (Europe/London)
Have a wander around and see the models and railway layouts on display.

Entrance to the museum is free.

The Narrow-Gauge Railway will be running, with Leonard the Steam Loco in charge of the train. There is a small charge for train rides, (£0.50 per person), children under 3 years can travel for free.

You can pay for your ride at the Station – cash only, or you can buy a train ticket at Reception and pay by card.

There is a museum themed playground and sand pit for the children, with seating located near by. You can sit with a snack and drink from the Switch Room Cafe, located in the Beam Engine House. Cash only.

Railway Day Classic Vehicles
2024-09-07 11:00 - 16:00 (Europe/London)
Come and have a look at motor vehicles from the past. Remember “The Tiger” from the Esso Petrol advert? Put a Tiger in your tank and maybe find him here. “My Dad had one like that”, perhaps find one here, or the one he always wanted?

Entrance to the museum is free.

The Narrow-Gauge Railway will be running, with Leonard the Steam Loco in charge of the train. There is a small charge for train rides, (£0.50 per person), children under 3 years can travel for free.

You can pay for your ride at the Station – cash only, or you can buy a train ticket at Reception and pay by card.

There is a museum themed playground and sand pit for the children, with seating located near by. You can sit with a snack and drink from the Switch Room Cafe, located in the Beam Engine House. Cash only.

Car Parking is available on the National Space Centre Car Park, currently £4.00 per vehicle.

All Engines and Working Exhibits are subject to availability and safe working.

Summer Family Fun Day
2024-08-18 12:00 - 16:30 (Europe/London)
We will be open on Sunday, despite the Road Closure. Access via the Space Centre to the APS Main Gate.

Road Closures: A6 Abbey Lane (Inbound) – (Including Corporation Road – between Wade Street & Sudeley Avenue), works to take place between 15/08/2024 – 18/08/2024.

The A6 Abbey Lane will be closed to all traffic with no through route towards Abbey Park Road.

There will be no right turn access to Beaumont Leys Lane for Abbey Lane.

There will be no left turn access to Corporation Road or Beaumanor Road.

Appropriate diversions will be clearly signed.

A day out for all the family. Abbey Pumping Station is hosting a number of stalls and exhibits, something of interest for all the family.

Admission Charges apply, please click here for details

The Narrow Gauge Railway will be running, with Leonard the Steam Loco at work. There is a small charge for rides, £0.50 per person, but children under 3 years can travel for free. You can get your ticket at the Station, cash only, or at Reception where you can pay by card.

Here are just a few of the many things happening, come and have a look around

Real Fruit Machine!

Smashing !!

Holiday Railway Days in August
2024-08-06 11:30 - 2024-08-20 16:00 (Europe/London)
Every Tuesday from August 6 to August 20, the Narrow Gauge Railway will be running.

Admission to the Museum site is free.

Trains operate between 11:30 AM and 4:00 PM. There is a small charge for train rides, currently £0.50. Under 3 years old can travel for free. You can pay for your ride at the Station – cash only, or you can buy a train ticket at Reception and pay by card.

Holiday Railway Days in July
2024-07-16 11:30 - 2024-07-30 16:00 (Europe/London)
Every Tuesday from July 16 to July 30, the Narrow Gauge Railway will be running.

Admission to the Museum site is free.

Trains operate between 11:30 AM and 4:00 PM. There is a small charge for train rides, currently £0.50. Under 3 years old can travel for free. You can pay for your ride at the Station – cash only, or you can buy a train ticket at Reception and pay by card.

Railway Day with Meccano
2024-07-06 11:30 - 16:00 (Europe/London)
Magnificent Meccano

Meccano modellers get busy! Be inspired by modellers of all ages, building models large and small.

Entrance to the museum is free.

The Narrow-Gauge Railway will be running, with Leonard the Steam Loco in charge of the train. There is a small charge for train rides, (£0.50 per person), children under 3 years can travel for free.

You can pay for your ride at the Station – cash only, or you can buy a train ticket at Reception and pay by card.

There is a museum themed playground and sand pit for the children, with seating located near by. You can sit with a snack and drink from the Switch Room Cafe, located in the Beam Engine House. Cash only.

Car Parking is available on the National Space Centre Car Park, currently £4.00 per vehicle.

All Engines and Working Exhibits are subject to availability and safe working.

Railway Day with Teddies
2024-06-08 11:30 - 16:00 (Europe/London)
Bears in Charge

Bear Picnic

It’s a Teddy takeover! Have a look at where the Teddies have got to, you might be surprised.

Entrance to the museum is free.

The Narrow-gauge Railway will be running, with one of our IC locos in charge. Which one? Come and find out. There is a small charge for train rides (£0.50, children under 3 years are free. Cash only. That is unless you bring your own special little friend, then you can travel for free!

There is a museum-themed playground and sand pit for the children, with seating located near by. You can sit with a snack and drink from the Switch Room Cafe, located in the Beam Engine House. Cash only.

Car Parking is available on the National Space Centre Car Park, currently £4.00 per vehicle.

All Engines and Working Exhibits are subject to availability and safe working.

Half Term Railway Day
2024-05-28 11:00 - 16:00 (Europe/London)
‘Peter’ the Simplex Engine

At this event Peter will be the engine running on the railway, make sure you say hello to Peter and even get your photo taken with him!

Entrance to the museum is free.

There is a small charge for train rides (£0.50), children under 3 years are free. Cash only.

There is a museum themed playground and sand pit for the children, with seating located near by. You can sit with a snack and drink from the Switch Room Cafe, located in the Beam Engine House. Cash only.

Car Parking is available on the National Space Centre Car Park, currently £4.00 per vehicle.

All Engines and Working Exhibits are subject to availability and safe working.

Emergency Services Day
2024-05-12 12:00 - 16:30 (Europe/London)
Come and see emergency vehicles from the past and the present. Try on some firemen’s uniforms for a photo opportunity and have a go with a stirrup pump.

Admission Charges apply, please click here for details

The Narrow Gauge Railway will be running, with Leonard in Steam. There is a small charge for train rides (£0.50), children under 3 years are free. Cash only.

The Switch Room Cafe will be open for light refreshments. Cash only.

Bring your own picnic and enjoy your day, our picnic tables are distributed around the grounds. The Museum themed playground and sandpit are nearby.

Car Parking is available on the National Space Centre Car Park, currently £4.00 per vehicle.

All Engines and Working Exhibits are subject to availability and safe working.

Railway Gala with Models
2024-04-06 11:30 - 16:00 (Europe/London)
Our Narrow-gauge railway will be running, come and have a look which of our four ICC engines could be operating – there might even be more than one. Will Leonard be in steam as well? Come and find out.

Wander around the marquee and see the models and railway layouts on display.

Entrance to the museum is free.

There is a small charge for Train Rides (£0.50), Children under 3 years are free. Cash only.

The Switch Room Cafe will be open for light refreshments, cash only.

Car Parking is available on the National Space Centre Car Park, currently £4.00 per vehicle.

All events may be subject to change without prior notice. All engines and working exhibits operate subject to availability and safe working.

Holiday Railway Day
2024-04-02 11:30 - 16:00 (Europe/London)
Peter the Simplex Engine

At this event Peter could be the engine running on the railway, make sure you come and have a look which one of our engines is running and maybe have a picture taken.

Entrance to the museum is free.

There is a small charge for train rides (£0.50), children under 3 years are free. Cash only.

There is a museum-themed playground and sand pit for the children, with seating located near by. Here you can sit with a snack and drink from the “Switch Room Cafe” located in the Beam Engine House. There are also interactive exhibits that both children and adults can use.

All Engines and working exhibits are subject to availability and weather.

Steam with the Team
2024-03-23 11:00 - 15:00 UTC
Saturday 23rd March 2024

Admission to museum galleries is free but tours of the Beam Engine House is by ticket only.

Maximum group size per tour is 20

Recommended for those aged 10 years and above

Please click here for Ticket Prices

Tours start at 11.00am, 12.15am, 2.00pm, 3.15pm and each take approximately one hour. This is your chance to question the tour guides on the engines and their function whilst walking round the whole Beam Engine House, including the basement, all whilst one of the engines is running.

To book tickets, please click here

Steam Toys in Action
2024-03-03 12:00 - 16:30 UTC
This is our 34th year of this popular event – See our one of our Beam Engines in steam and enjoy the many miniature steam engines, boats and trains on display
Admission Charges apply, please click here for details
Leicester’s only narrow gauge railway will be giving rides. Enjoy a hot cuppa and a cake in the LMTA café, a perfect end to a perfect day. There is a small charge (£0.50) for train rides. Both Café and train rides are cash only.
All events may be subject to change without prior notice. All engines and working exhibits operate subject to availability and safe working.
Car parking is available on the National Space Centre Car park, currently £4.00 per vehicle.
Click here to contact the Organiser for an Exhibitor Entry form

Half Term Railway Day
2024-02-20 11:30 - 16:00 (Europe/London)
‘Peter’ the engine

At this event Peter will be the engine running on the railway, make sure you say “hello” to Peter and even get your photo taken with him!

This event is an affordable day out with the children. Entrance to the museum is free.

Train rides are 50p per person. Cash only.

There is a museum-themed playground and sand pit for the children, with seating located near by, where you can sit with a snack and drink from the “Switch Room Cafe” located in the Beam Engine House. There are also interactive exhibits that both children and adults can use.

Steam Toys in Action
2023-03-05 12:00 - 16:30 (Europe/London)
Models from previous years

This is the 33rd year of this event running.

At this event you can see models of Mamods, Wilescos and many more. Also our outside pond will be exhibiting Model steam boats.

At Steam Toys in Action we have trader stalls where you will be able to purchase your own model or parts for one you may already have.

The beam engines will be running for this event, in the main building which is also where our interactive exhibits and displays are. There will also be museum vehicles around the site, great for photo opportunities as long as you look but don’t touch. One of the museum vehicles is a coal fired chip van which will be selling chips.

Light refreshments will be served in the ‘Switch Room’ cafe

And if thats not enough to keep you busy we will also be running the steam narrow gauge and small train on the railway with rides for all!
