Abbey Mills Pumping Station

The Abbey Mills Pumping Station is central to the sewerage system created across London in the mid-19th century. Built to lift sewage from the low-lying sewers, it collects a huge amount of the capital’s wastewater, transferring it to our northern outfall sewer and on to Beckton STW.

Built by engineer Joseph Bazalgette, Edmund Cooper and architect Charles Driver between 1865 and 1868 it has been described as the cathedral of sewage.

With six architectural styles incorporated into the design, we explore the history of the pumping station, and the recent paint restoration project that has aimed to restore the interior to its original multi-colour glory.