Located at the site of the former Kew Bridge Waterworks in Brentford, the London Museum of Water and Steam tells the story of London’s water supply. In this quick London with Kids guide, learn more about the things to see and do when visiting the London Museum of Water and Steam with kids.
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London Museum of Water and Steam with Kids
Free to visit for children under 16 years old, London Museum of Water and Steam is a great museum for kids with plenty to see and do. Families will enjoy learning about the story of London’s water supply through interactive displays and informational boards throughout the museum.
The Waterworks Gallery takes you on a journey through time and tells the story of how the Victorians cleaned up London’s water supply. The Museum has four model houses demonstrating how water was used in the home from the 17th century to present day.
The Water and Steam Museum is home to the world’s largest collection of stationary steam engines. The collection comprises Cornish engines, in their original engine houses, and rotative engines, collected by the museum trust from pumping stations across the country.
One of the highlights at the London Water Steam Museum is seeing the amazing pumping engines that helped to make London the great city it is today and discovering how they work through hands-on exhibits. In the Steam Hall, there are four large rotative engines that have a history of pumping water.
Every space has different toys in it, from a workbench and play kitchen to building blocks and a discovery box. A local favourite for locals, the Museum also regularly runs storytelling and play sessions for toddlers and preschoolers during term time.
Related: Best London Museums for Kids
Splash Zone Water Play
The fun interactive Splash Zone water play area in the back courtyard is a great place for littles ones to play and cool down during the summer months.
There are mechanisms on the water play tables to dam, pump, spin, push and squirt water.
Related: Best Play Fountains in London
Waterworks Railway
Also located in the back courtyard is the Waterworks Railway, a small gauge steam railway locomotive operates on a short track during the summertime. Check the Water and Steam Museum What’s On page to find the running dates for the Waterworks Railway.
Wild Play Garden
The London Museum of Water and Steam opened a new community play garden for local familie and children in 2022. The Wild Play Garden has a massive mud kitchen, building blocks and a music wall in addition to the museum’s existing garden and art installations.
Pump and Grind Coffee Shop
The Pump and Grind Coffee Shop at the front of the museum serves coffee and tea, freshly prepared light meals and a selection of cakes and pastries.
Family Events at Museum of Water and Steam 2023
The London Museum of Water and Steam regularly organises family activities and events throughout the year. The Museum also runs storytelling and play sessions for toddlers and preschoolers during term time.
Keep an eye on the Events calendar for more on the play sessons, along with the latest exhibitions and activities for kids during the weekends and school holidays. Here is what’s coming up at the London Water and Steam Museum for kids;
October Half Term – Mini Monsters
21 – 29 October 2023
Discover where our water comes from and see the science that cleans the mini monsters from London’s water in the Soggy Science Show. There will also be storytelling, crafts and a community art project running during the October half term for families to enjoy.
Find more inspiration for October family days out in our Halloween in London with kids and October half-term activities in London guides.
London Water and Steam Museum
Address: Green Dragon Lane, Brentford, London, TW8 0EN
Opening Hours: Open 10am to 4pm Wednesday to Sunday, plus Bank Holiday Monday during the summer holidays
Tickets: Free for children under 16. Ticket prices for adults cost £11.50 for a day pass or £19 for an annual pass.
Closest Tube Stations: Gunnersbury [District line then 237 or 267 bus]; Kew Gardens [District line then 391 bus from Sandycombe Road 2 minutes walk from the station towards Kew Gardens]; South Ealing [Piccadilly line then 65 bus to Kew Bridge]
Closest Train Station: Kew Bridge (South West Trains from Waterloo via Clapham Junction] is 5 minutes away
Parking: There is a small car park at the museum entrance. The car park is closed on Brentford FC and London Irish home match fixture dates.
Food and Drink: The Pump and Grind Coffee Shop serves coffee and tea, freshly prepared light meals and a selection of cakes and pastries.
London Museums for Kids
Read on for more family days out inspiration with our reviews on top museums in London for kids;
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Dino Snores for Kids at the Natural History Museum
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This post was updated on 11 September 2023 with updated information on upcoming family activities during October half-term in London.
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