The Crossness Steampunk Convivial

Crossness Steampunk ConvivialFun times at the sewage plant: the Crossness Steampunk Convivial

What happens when my mother travels 6,000 miles to visit us? We dress her up in a hard hat and high-vis jacket and wander around a sewage plant.

Crossness Steampunk Convivial

Okay, this definitely needs more explanation.

In 1865, a sewage pumping station was opened on the south bank of the River Thames, not far from Abbey Wood.

Crossness Steampunk Convivial

Built by Sir Joseph Bazalgette, the Romanesque-style building is incredibly beautiful, with amazing details both inside and out. It is a Grade 1 Listed Industrial Building.

Crossness Steampunk Convivial

Not only is the ornate building lovely to look at – especially for something with a primary purpose of dealing with sewage – but it also contains some impressive equipment.

Crossness Steampunk Convivial

There are four 52-ton flywheels – each one was used to operate a 47-ton beam that created the pumping action.

Crossness Steampunk Convivial

Some equipment was upgraded during the station’s operational lifespan, but when the new sewerage plant opened in the mid-1950s, the Victorian building was abandoned and most of what it contained was left to be neglected or vandalised.

Crossness Steampunk Convivial

Crossness Steampunk Convivial

Then in the 1980s, a team started work to restore the plant, attempting to bring the historic building back to its original glory.

Crossness Steampunk Convivial

Over the last 30 years, a team of volunteers has carried out extensive work on the machinery and architectural features – and all the work has been funded entirely through donations. This, combined with the intricacies and terrible condition of the building means that, while sections look spectacular, a lot of work is still required.

Crossness Steampunk Convivial

About one-quarter of the pumping plant has been restored – maybe a little bit more – and one of the pumps is actually in working order again.

I like the effect that focussing on restoring one section has created. If you stand at one end of the building, you get a very clear before-and-after visual.

Crossness Steampunk Convivial

Since the interior is mostly symmetrical, it’s pretty easy to find the restored or not-restored counterpart of whatever you are looking at.

For example, the big tanks

Crossness Steampunk Convivial

Crossness Steampunk Convivial

The staircases

Crossness Steampunk Convivial

Crossness Steampunk Convivial

The columns

Crossness Steampunk Convivial

Crossness Steampunk Convivial

Even the decorative ironwork

Crossness Steampunk Convivial

Crossness Steampunk Convivial

The central Octagon is an impressive display of cast iron.

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But even the smallest details were beautiful – I loved this old door latch.

Crossness Steampunk Convivial

Okay, so it’s an amazing building and all, but what was I doing there? And why did I drag my family along?

Well, it was time for the first annual Crossness Steampunk Convivial.

Crossness Steampunk Convivial

This new event not only offered the opportunity to explore the Victorian building – which I’ve wanted to do for some time – but it added some extra entertainment too.

Of course the steampunk crowd has an offbeat idea of entertainment. For example, there was tea-duelling, which we sadly missed. There was also dancing

Crossness Steampunk Convivial

An accordion band

Crossness Steampunk Convivial

Umbrella fencing

Crossness Steampunk Convivial

And even a Tesla coil demonstration – the guy was able to play tunes on the coils. Hearing Yellow Submarine and Rule Britannia played on a Tesla coil was a surreal experience.

Crossness Steampunk Convivial

A space has also been set aside to create a museum, of sorts. There are a number of old pumps on display – most, if not all, in working order.

Crossness Steampunk Convivial

One operates a teapot fountain, which fit in very well with the day’s steampunk theme.

Crossness Steampunk Convivial

Of course, what sewage-based museum would be complete without a few historic loos?

Crossness Steampunk Convivial

The design of the second set was particularly impressive.

Crossness Steampunk Convivial

They just don’t make loos like this today. And look at the names on them! The “Deluge”

Crossness Steampunk Convivial

And “Le Symphonic” – this had me giggling like a child.

Crossness Steampunk Convivial

And finally, the infamous John Crapper’s … um … crapper.


Crossness Steampunk ConvivialAs we headed out, we spotted this steampunker’s car. I loved the notice in the window that alerted passers-by that it’s not an abandoned vehicle.

Crossness Steampunk Convivial

The Crossness Steampunk Convivial is an annual event, but the historic pumping station is open regularly for tours – find out more on the Crossness Engines website.

Getting there is relatively easy if you’re driving – the entrance is the same as that of the modern sewage treatment plant.

If you’re arriving on foot or bicycle however, it’s probably best to use the Thames Cycle Path entrance. We didn’t realise this on our way there and it was a bit of a hike from Abbey Wood to the entrance of the modern site.

Plus, when we finally got to the sewage works, we had to put on all the safety gear to trek across the site. We left via the cycle path, which is much closer to the old building, and it wasn’t too long of a walk to the nearest bus stop on the A2016.

Crossness Steampunk Convivial


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16 Comments on "The Crossness Steampunk Convivial"

  1. This looks awesome Shannon. It reminds me of the times Ben and I spent finding hidden gems of London when we lived there. I’m so glad you had such a great day with your mum xx
    Lisa Savage recently posted…Letter to my younger selfMy Profile

    • Thanks for the comment, Lisa. Any hidden gems you can recommend? I’m always looking for off-the-wall days out. I love discovering all the weird and wonderful that London has to offer.

      • We rather enjoyed The Clink on the South Bank (museum of the oldest prison in London) and the tiny parks in and around Soho. A bit of a more adult one is the Hoop and Grapes pub in Aldgate, the only (and the oldest) timber framed building in London.

        We used to Live in Colliers Wood, which is quite far from you, but Merton Abbey Mills is a fab market there, totally off the tourist track, with the best second hand bookstore. I assume its still there, its been a while!
        Lisa Savage recently posted…Letter to my younger selfMy Profile

        • I’d love to go to the Clink. We walk past it all the time. My parents went in April when they came for a visit, but said it’s not really pram friendly, so we’ll probably have to wait a few years before we go. The Hoop and Grapes sounds good, and so does Merton Abbey Mills. I’ll have to add them to my list of places to go!

  2. Wow you make me want to visit a sewage plant lol
    Cindy recently posted…Franconia Sculpture ParkMy Profile

  3. What a wonderful post about such a beautiful building. When I first read it was a sewage station I thought you were crazy, that is until I saw the pictures. I was blown away by the rich history and amazing details. I loved the door latch as well. I was a history minor in college and love things just like this. Hope your Mom enjoyed it as it sounds like it was a fun day!
    #WeekendBlogHop

    Lysa
    Lysa @ Welcome To My Circus recently posted…What if it was happening to someone you love…My Profile

    • Thanks for your comment – I was just as surprised as you when I heard there was a ‘beautiful’ sewage plant. Definitely sounds weird, but those Victorians knew a thing or too about decorating, I guess. 🙂

  4. What a fantastic place to visit and a great event to see. I’m so glad they restored it, must add this onto my bucket list x
    Jane recently posted…Little E – 12 Weeks OldMy Profile

  5. Wow, what a totally fascinating and beautiful place. It looks like you had a wonderful time 🙂 Thank you for linking to PoCoLo 🙂 x
    Verily Victoria Vocalises recently posted…Post Comment Love and Newbie Showcase 3rd to 5th October 2014My Profile

    • It was much more amazing than I expected! Of course, how much would somebody normally actually expect from a sewage plant? Thanks for the great linky!

  6. Wow, that looks so interesting. I really love the blue toilet, very chic!
    A Mum in London recently posted…The Paddington Trail: Fifty Bears, One CityMy Profile

  7. I’ve cycled outside this but have never been in. Love your photos, it looks beautiful inside. I might have to start taking Andrew on some hidden London tours.
    Apparently if you write to your MP and ask, you can be invited to go on a tour of the Big Ben tower. There’s no lifts so you’d have to have a child free day but the view from the top is apparently amazing. My friends from work have been, sadly my MP did not respond to my request but it’s worth a try!

    • We used to cycle past it regularly too, pre-baby when we did that sort of thing. The river is lovely along there, but the smell from the treatment plant can be awful! I’ve thought about the Big Ben tour, but will have to wait for a child-free day, or when she’s older. Maybe when I’m a bit more fit too… that’s a lot of stairs to climb.

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