Press Releases
20th January 2026
Kempton Steam Museum awarded grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to connect new audiences with the story of London’s clean water
Made possible with Heritage Fund
Today, Kempton Steam Museum is announcing a £90,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to connect people of all ages with the role of clean water in London’s past and present.
Kempton Steam Museum, located at the Kempton Park Pumping Station in southwest London, showcases the world’s largest operational triple-expansion steam engine and a rich collection of historical artifacts and technical drawings. Without this funding from the Heritage Fund, its stories would remain undiscovered by many.
The project will enable an Audience Development Consultant to develop a strategy to increase visitor numbers and attract new audiences from the local community and beyond. It will also enable a Learning Consultant to develop digital learning materials targeted at Key Stage 1 and 2 that are accessible to all.
Three new part-time members of staff will build capacity across the museum in a variety of ways. Firstly, to achieve Museum Accreditation by summer 2026, secondly, to implement strategies to increase visitor numbers and attract new audiences, and thirdly to manage volunteers. This initiative will expand our visitor demographic and foster stronger connections with underrepresented groups, local organisations, schools and families.
In the long-term, the project will build a resilient and sustainable museum, strengthen the network of groups and organisations working together for the benefit of the local community in Hounslow and raise public awareness of the importance of clean water.
Kempton Steam Museum will be running Steam Weekends throughout the project, please see our website to find out more.
Valerie Mills from Kempton Steam Museum said: “We are thrilled to have received this support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to build a museum fit for the future!”
About Kempton Steam Museum:
Kempton Steam Museum is an independent museum in London governed by the Kempton Great Engines Trust. The Trust, a registered Charity, was formed in 1995 with the aim to preserve the historic steam pumping engines at Kempton Park Pumping Station and make them accessible to the public. All restoration work and the running of the museum is undertaken entirely by a team of volunteers. Our activities have been made possible through Thames Water giving us access under a 99-year lease.
Restoration and day-to-day operation of the museum is undertaken by volunteers. Since 1995, our incredible volunteers have successfully returned the ‘Sir William Prescott’ triple-expansion engine to steam and showcase it to the public on steaming weekends throughout the year.
Recent achievements include the motorisation of one of our two steam turbines to demonstrate the inner mechanisms. Working parties continue to perform restoration projects to ensure the museum’s unique collection is safe for future generations to enjoy.
The museum is open from March to December offering special events throughout the year. Follow @Kempton Steam Museum on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok and visit our website at https://kemptonsteam.org/
About The National Lottery Heritage Fund :
As the largest dedicated funder of the UK’s heritage, The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033.
Over the next ten years, we aim to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to bring about benefits for people, places and the natural environment.
We help protect, transform and share the things from the past that people care about, from popular museums and historic places, our natural environment and fragile species, to the languages and cultural traditions that celebrate who we are.
We are passionate about heritage and committed to driving innovation and collaboration to make a positive difference to people’s lives today, while leaving a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy.
Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLotteryHeritageFund www.heritagefund.org.uk