Twyford Waterworks, in Hazeley Road, was an Edwardian steam pumping station built to extract water from underground boreholes. Water is still pumped from those same boreholes today – though now using electrical power, and in a non-publicly accessible area of the site. The rest of the site, however, is a scheduled ancient monument under the care of the Twyford Waterworks Trust. During the summer months they hold regular open days to allow the public a fascinating glimpse into this section of our industrial history.
There is a lot to see. As well as the huge main pump and steam engine (which have been restored to working order), there is a large collection of other pumps that delivered water round the site or into the mains water supply.
The site also had a waste softening plant, where the chalk-laden drawn water was mixed with lime (which was also created on the site) in order to make it more pleasant for customers. This practice ceased when stronger detergents made it unnecessary – and possibly explains whey our kettles get more furred-up than we remember from when we were younger.
There was also a small railway to transport the materials around the site.
Away from the industrial exhibits, the Trust has created a small nature reserve, with a dipping pond and a number of seats where you can sit, relax, and watch the world go by, or enjoy a picnic. There is also a tearoom, and barbeque.
The Open Days often attract a number of other exhibitors. On the day I went, in October last year, there was an interesting range of vintage and veteran vehicles.
The first Open Day for 2023 are on Sunday 30th April and Monday 1st May. They then continue on the first Sunday of each month from June to October. See the web page for further details.
Leave a Reply