Tees Cottage Pumping Station is opening its doors to the public this weekend and offering visitors the chance to come and experience everything the Victorian waterworks has to offer.
The site only opens to the public a handful of times a year and so it is a rare chance for people to get behind the scenes at Northumbrian Water’s site.
Established in 1849, Tees Cottage Pumping Station in Darlington, used to supply the water to Darlington and the surrounding areas of Teesside.
The site is full of local engineering history and still has two original pumping engines; one with a two-cylinder compound steam beam engine supplied from its original Lancashire boilers and driving its original pumps. The other engine is a two-cylinder gas engine, the largest preserved example in Europe, also driving its original pumps. The engines are superb examples of Victorian architecture and engineering.
A group of dedicated volunteers help to keep the site running for public open days and all money raised is invested into the continued improvements of this local heritage site.
Phil Doran, Chairman of Tees Cottage Pumping Station, said; “We’re looking forward to opening the doors to the public this weekend and welcoming visitors to this truly wonderful site.
“There is lots to see and do here, from watching the iron work in the smithy, checking out the miniature railway in action, seeing first hand the site pumping water to relaxing and having a cuppa in our cosy tearoom.”
Tees Cottage Pumping Station is open to the public between 11:00-17:00 (last entry 16:00) on Saturday and Sunday, 16-17 September. The site is located to the River Tees on Coniscliffe Road, Darlington DL3 3TF.
There is a small entrance charge of £4.50 for adults, £3.50 for concessions and children under the age of 16 are given free entry.
Interested in becoming a volunteer at Tees Cottage Pumping Station? There are some opportunities available, ranging from event planning, to general administration support, operating the Victorian machinery, making iron work in the smithy, doing general site maintenance, gardening to helping out in the tearoom. To find out more about these fantastic opportunities e-mail Phil Doran at, chairman@teescottage.co.uk
For more information about Tees Cottage Pumping Station visit, www.teescottage.co.uk and find them on Facebook.