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Tottenham House

Heritage Site in Wiltshire

England

Tottenham House

Crofton Pumping Station - preserved boiler front Crofton used to have two Lancashire boilers when I first visited about 1980. It now only has one workable boiler has this example by the Great Western Railway's Swindon works now consists only of this front and a little of the shell behind the wall. The space behind is now used for other, revenue generating, purposes. I might have a monochrome of the boiler when it was still workable.
Crofton Pumping Station - preserved boiler front Credit: Chris Allen

Tottenham House is a historic mansion located in the county of Wiltshire, England. Situated near the village of Great Bedwyn, this stately home holds significant historical and architectural importance. The mansion is positioned within a sprawling estate of over 1,000 acres, surrounded by picturesque parkland and gardens.

Originally dating back to the 18th century, Tottenham House was designed by renowned architect James Wyatt and completed in 1821. The mansion boasts a neoclassical style, with elegant proportions and intricate detailing. Its grand facade features a central portico supported by Ionic columns, giving the building a majestic appearance.

Throughout its history, Tottenham House has been home to several notable families, including the Pleydell-Bouverie and the Ailesbury families. The interior of the mansion reflects the grandeur and opulence associated with these aristocratic residences. The rooms are adorned with exquisite period furnishings, luxurious fabrics, and ornate plasterwork. Visitors can explore the grand reception rooms, the impressive library, and the stunning state bedrooms, each one showcasing the wealth and taste of its former occupants.

Surrounding the mansion are beautifully landscaped gardens, offering a tranquil retreat for visitors to enjoy. These gardens feature well-manicured lawns, charming flower beds, and mature trees that provide shade and serenity. Additionally, the estate includes a lake, woodland areas, and parkland, providing ample opportunities for leisurely walks and outdoor activities.

Tottenham House is a treasured heritage site, reflecting the grandeur and elegance of its past. It provides visitors with a glimpse into the lives of the wealthy and influential families who once called it home, as well as an opportunity to appreciate its architectural splendor and natural beauty.

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Tottenham House Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.37/-1.648 or Grid Reference SU2463. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Crofton Pumping Station - preserved boiler front Crofton used to have two Lancashire boilers when I first visited about 1980. It now only has one workable boiler has this example by the Great Western Railway's Swindon works now consists only of this front and a little of the shell behind the wall. The space behind is now used for other, revenue generating, purposes. I might have a monochrome of the boiler when it was still workable.
Crofton Pumping Station - preserved boiler front
Crofton used to have two Lancashire boilers when I first visited about 1980. It now only has one workable boiler has this example by the Great Western Railway's Swindon works now consists only of this front and a little of the shell behind the wall. The space behind is now used for other, revenue generating, purposes. I might have a monochrome of the boiler when it was still workable.
Crofton Pumping Station First commenced in 1809 to supply water to the Summit level of the Kennet & Avon Canal, this building now houses engines by Boulton & Watt of 1812 and Harvey & Co of Hayle of 1846. These are both workable and the older is the world's oldest in situ engine capable of doing its original job. The open doors lead into the boiler house. The beam engines are in the taller section.
Crofton Pumping Station
First commenced in 1809 to supply water to the Summit level of the Kennet & Avon Canal, this building now houses engines by Boulton & Watt of 1812 and Harvey & Co of Hayle of 1846. These are both workable and the older is the world's oldest in situ engine capable of doing its original job. The open doors lead into the boiler house. The beam engines are in the taller section.
Crofton Pumping Station First commenced in 1809 to supply water to the Summit level of the Kennet & Avon Canal, this building now houses engines by Boulton & Watt of 1812 and Harvey & Co of Hayle of 1846. These are both workable and the older is the world's oldest in situ engine capable of doing its original job. This shows the pump end of the beam engine house with boiler house behind. The bridge in the centre crosses the discharge channel that takes the water from the pumps to the canal's summit level. The summit crosses a watershed and there is no natural supply to make up for lockage losses. The alternatives were a tunnel below the summit or a pumping station to return water from a lower level. The canal company opted for pumping and that is still carried out today with electric pumps.
Crofton Pumping Station
First commenced in 1809 to supply water to the Summit level of the Kennet & Avon Canal, this building now houses engines by Boulton & Watt of 1812 and Harvey & Co of Hayle of 1846. These are both workable and the older is the world's oldest in situ engine capable of doing its original job. This shows the pump end of the beam engine house with boiler house behind. The bridge in the centre crosses the discharge channel that takes the water from the pumps to the canal's summit level. The summit crosses a watershed and there is no natural supply to make up for lockage losses. The alternatives were a tunnel below the summit or a pumping station to return water from a lower level. The canal company opted for pumping and that is still carried out today with electric pumps.
Crofton Pumping Station - discharge channel supplying the summit First commenced in 1809 to supply water to the Summit level of the Kennet & Avon Canal, the pumping station now houses engines by Boulton & Watt of 1812 and Harvey & Co of Hayle of 1846. These are both workable and the older is the world's oldest in situ engine capable of doing its original job. This shows the discharge channel taking water from the two pumping engines to the summit level of the canal. The canal's summit crosses a watershed where there is no natural supply to replace lockage losses. The canal company had a choice of building a tunnel under the summit or using back pumping from a lower level. They opted for pumping.
Crofton Pumping Station - discharge channel supplying the summit
First commenced in 1809 to supply water to the Summit level of the Kennet & Avon Canal, the pumping station now houses engines by Boulton & Watt of 1812 and Harvey & Co of Hayle of 1846. These are both workable and the older is the world's oldest in situ engine capable of doing its original job. This shows the discharge channel taking water from the two pumping engines to the summit level of the canal. The canal's summit crosses a watershed where there is no natural supply to replace lockage losses. The canal company had a choice of building a tunnel under the summit or using back pumping from a lower level. They opted for pumping.
Crofton Pumping Station - spare Lancashire boiler This was acquired from a W D & H O Wills factory in Swindon and has been stored in the open air for over 25 years. It was obtained as a spare to the site's 1899 boiler that was obtained second-hand in the 1980s from a W D & H O Wills factory in Bristol. That latter boiler is the site's only operational boiler and in the 2021-22 winter period is to receive some major preventative maintenance that will hopefully see it through the next 10 years. This spare boiler will probably never get used, but who knows. The heritage steam sector is facing problems with the supply of coal and concerns about using fossil fuels. However, Crofton intends to remain in steam for as long as possible and is considering alternatives such as biocoal. Apart from the business of raising steam, one also has to consider the longevity of machinery that is over 150-200 years old. The engines have been examined by non-destructive testing and their performance and loading is being examined with appropriate instrumentation (some of it from the same stable as the telemetry used in F1 racing).
Crofton Pumping Station - spare Lancashire boiler
This was acquired from a W D & H O Wills factory in Swindon and has been stored in the open air for over 25 years. It was obtained as a spare to the site's 1899 boiler that was obtained second-hand in the 1980s from a W D & H O Wills factory in Bristol. That latter boiler is the site's only operational boiler and in the 2021-22 winter period is to receive some major preventative maintenance that will hopefully see it through the next 10 years. This spare boiler will probably never get used, but who knows. The heritage steam sector is facing problems with the supply of coal and concerns about using fossil fuels. However, Crofton intends to remain in steam for as long as possible and is considering alternatives such as biocoal. Apart from the business of raising steam, one also has to consider the longevity of machinery that is over 150-200 years old. The engines have been examined by non-destructive testing and their performance and loading is being examined with appropriate instrumentation (some of it from the same stable as the telemetry used in F1 racing).
Crofton Pumping Station - beam engine discharge First commenced in 1809 to supply water to the Summit level of the Kennet & Avon Canal, this building now houses engines by Boulton & Watt of 1812 and Harvey & Co of Hayle of 1846. These are both workable and the older is the world's oldest in situ engine capable of doing its original job. This shows the discharge from the two beam engines into the leat leading to the Canal's summit. The engine discharging on the right is the 1846 engine.
Crofton Pumping Station - beam engine discharge
First commenced in 1809 to supply water to the Summit level of the Kennet & Avon Canal, this building now houses engines by Boulton & Watt of 1812 and Harvey & Co of Hayle of 1846. These are both workable and the older is the world's oldest in situ engine capable of doing its original job. This shows the discharge from the two beam engines into the leat leading to the Canal's summit. The engine discharging on the right is the 1846 engine.
Crofton Pumping Station - old valves A pair of boiler crown valves flank a double beat pump foot-valve with wooden seating blocks on both beats.
Crofton Pumping Station - old valves
A pair of boiler crown valves flank a double beat pump foot-valve with wooden seating blocks on both beats.
Crofton Pumping Station - pump rods of the 1846 engine First commenced in 1809 to supply water to the Summit level of the Kennet & Avon Canal, this building now houses engines by Boulton & Watt of 1812 and Harvey & Co of Hayle of 1846. These are both workable and the older is the world's oldest in situ engine capable of doing its original job. This shows the ground floor of the engine house at pump discharge level. These are the pump rods of the 1846 engine with the main pump rod on the left and the air pump rod on the right. The pumped water flows through the metal casing in the middle and through the end wall into the discharge leat.
Crofton Pumping Station - pump rods of the 1846 engine
First commenced in 1809 to supply water to the Summit level of the Kennet & Avon Canal, this building now houses engines by Boulton & Watt of 1812 and Harvey & Co of Hayle of 1846. These are both workable and the older is the world's oldest in situ engine capable of doing its original job. This shows the ground floor of the engine house at pump discharge level. These are the pump rods of the 1846 engine with the main pump rod on the left and the air pump rod on the right. The pumped water flows through the metal casing in the middle and through the end wall into the discharge leat.
Crofton Pumping Station - 1812 engine pump discharge First commenced in 1809 to supply water to the Summit level of the Kennet & Avon Canal, this building now houses engines by Boulton & Watt of 1812 and Harvey & Co of Hayle of 1846. These are both workable and the older is the world's oldest in situ engine capable of doing its original job. This shows the 1812 engine's pump rod that operates a bucket pump down the well. At the top it is connected to the beam two floor further up and at the bottom it enters the covered pump discharge launder heading through the far wall. Because it is a bucket pump the rod is within the rising main down the well.
Crofton Pumping Station - 1812 engine pump discharge
First commenced in 1809 to supply water to the Summit level of the Kennet & Avon Canal, this building now houses engines by Boulton & Watt of 1812 and Harvey & Co of Hayle of 1846. These are both workable and the older is the world's oldest in situ engine capable of doing its original job. This shows the 1812 engine's pump rod that operates a bucket pump down the well. At the top it is connected to the beam two floor further up and at the bottom it enters the covered pump discharge launder heading through the far wall. Because it is a bucket pump the rod is within the rising main down the well.
Crofton Pumping Station - off-site engines in the boiler house First commenced in 1809 to supply water to the Summit level of the Kennet & Avon Canal, this pumping station now houses engines by Boulton & Watt of 1812 and Harvey & Co of Hayle of 1846. These are both workable and the older is the world's oldest in situ engine capable of doing its original job. In the boiler house is this small collection of steamable engines that are quite unrelated to the pumping station but of interest in their own right. Some are quite old and rare while others help to illustrate the spectrum of stationary engine designs. Not everybody believes they have any place at Crofton but I am quite comfortable with their presence as it is made clear they are interlopers.
Crofton Pumping Station - off-site engines in the boiler house
First commenced in 1809 to supply water to the Summit level of the Kennet & Avon Canal, this pumping station now houses engines by Boulton & Watt of 1812 and Harvey & Co of Hayle of 1846. These are both workable and the older is the world's oldest in situ engine capable of doing its original job. In the boiler house is this small collection of steamable engines that are quite unrelated to the pumping station but of interest in their own right. Some are quite old and rare while others help to illustrate the spectrum of stationary engine designs. Not everybody believes they have any place at Crofton but I am quite comfortable with their presence as it is made clear they are interlopers.
Crofton Pumping Station - 1812 engine, pump end First commenced in 1809 to supply water to the Summit level of the Kennet & Avon Canal, this building now houses engines by Boulton & Watt of 1812 and Harvey & Co of Hayle of 1846. These are both workable and the older is the world's oldest in situ engine capable of doing its original job. This is the middle floor of the engine house and shows the pump end of the 1812 engine. The beam is red item at the top. The parallel motion guides the pump rod in the background and also the air pump rod in the foreground. Note that the air pump rod has a bridle around one of the transverse links of the parallel motion - an elegant solution to a problem of geometry.
Crofton Pumping Station - 1812 engine, pump end
First commenced in 1809 to supply water to the Summit level of the Kennet & Avon Canal, this building now houses engines by Boulton & Watt of 1812 and Harvey & Co of Hayle of 1846. These are both workable and the older is the world's oldest in situ engine capable of doing its original job. This is the middle floor of the engine house and shows the pump end of the 1812 engine. The beam is red item at the top. The parallel motion guides the pump rod in the background and also the air pump rod in the foreground. Note that the air pump rod has a bridle around one of the transverse links of the parallel motion - an elegant solution to a problem of geometry.
Crofton Pumping Station - pump end of the 1846 engine First commenced in 1809 to supply water to the Summit level of the Kennet & Avon Canal, this building now houses engines by Boulton & Watt of 1812 and Harvey & Co of Hayle of 1846. These are both workable and the older is the world's oldest in situ engine capable of doing its original job. This is the pump end of the 1846 engine in the middle floor of the engine house. The red beam is at the top. The brightwork parallel motion guides the main pump rod in the background and the air pump rod in the foreground. Note the bridle around the air pump rod to solve a specific issue of geometry (on the 1812 engine the bridle is in the air pump rod and not around it but it achieves the same end).
Crofton Pumping Station - pump end of the 1846 engine
First commenced in 1809 to supply water to the Summit level of the Kennet & Avon Canal, this building now houses engines by Boulton & Watt of 1812 and Harvey & Co of Hayle of 1846. These are both workable and the older is the world's oldest in situ engine capable of doing its original job. This is the pump end of the 1846 engine in the middle floor of the engine house. The red beam is at the top. The brightwork parallel motion guides the main pump rod in the background and the air pump rod in the foreground. Note the bridle around the air pump rod to solve a specific issue of geometry (on the 1812 engine the bridle is in the air pump rod and not around it but it achieves the same end).
Crofton Pumping Station - the two cylinder heads First commenced in 1809 to supply water to the Summit level of the Kennet & Avon Canal, this building now houses engines by Boulton & Watt of 1812 and Harvey & Co of Hayle of 1846. These are both workable and the older is the world's oldest in situ engine capable of doing its original job. This is the middle chamber of the engine house showing the two cylinders heads of the Cornish cycle beam pumping engines. The 1846 engine is closest and the 1812 engine is furthest away. The beam of the 1812 engine is visible at the top and its position clearly shows that the engine is running. The hand rails are a modern addition for public safety. This building is over 200 years old and was never built with 21st century public access and safety standards in mind.
Crofton Pumping Station - the two cylinder heads
First commenced in 1809 to supply water to the Summit level of the Kennet & Avon Canal, this building now houses engines by Boulton & Watt of 1812 and Harvey & Co of Hayle of 1846. These are both workable and the older is the world's oldest in situ engine capable of doing its original job. This is the middle chamber of the engine house showing the two cylinders heads of the Cornish cycle beam pumping engines. The 1846 engine is closest and the 1812 engine is furthest away. The beam of the 1812 engine is visible at the top and its position clearly shows that the engine is running. The hand rails are a modern addition for public safety. This building is over 200 years old and was never built with 21st century public access and safety standards in mind.
Crofton Pumping Station - 1812 engine valve gear First commenced in 1809 to supply water to the Summit level of the Kennet & Avon Canal, this building now houses engines by Boulton & Watt of 1812 and Harvey & Co of Hayle of 1846. These are both workable and the older is the world's oldest in situ engine capable of doing its original job. This shows the valve gear of the 1812 engine. This is not the original gear but that dating from the engine's conversion to use higher pressure steam on the Cornish cycle in 1844 by Harvey & Co. of Hayle, Cornwall. The engine is clearly not working as the exhaust valve is being held closed by a chain.
Crofton Pumping Station - 1812 engine valve gear
First commenced in 1809 to supply water to the Summit level of the Kennet & Avon Canal, this building now houses engines by Boulton & Watt of 1812 and Harvey & Co of Hayle of 1846. These are both workable and the older is the world's oldest in situ engine capable of doing its original job. This shows the valve gear of the 1812 engine. This is not the original gear but that dating from the engine's conversion to use higher pressure steam on the Cornish cycle in 1844 by Harvey & Co. of Hayle, Cornwall. The engine is clearly not working as the exhaust valve is being held closed by a chain.
Crofton Pumping Station - oscillating engine An off-site engine displayed in the boiler house. It was running and shows some slight blurring. It is a very rare inverted vertical oscillating cylinder engine by Thomas Horn & Son in about 1883. It was used at Aldershot Gas Works. The cylinder is 8" x 18" and developed 10 horsepower at 120 revolutions per minute. The engine is on loan from the Science Museum. It was acquired by the Science Museum in 1945. The Science Museum also has a vertical oscillating cylinder engine that is now on loan to the London Museum of Water and Steam (formerly the Kew Bridge Steam Museum).
Crofton Pumping Station - oscillating engine
An off-site engine displayed in the boiler house. It was running and shows some slight blurring. It is a very rare inverted vertical oscillating cylinder engine by Thomas Horn & Son in about 1883. It was used at Aldershot Gas Works. The cylinder is 8" x 18" and developed 10 horsepower at 120 revolutions per minute. The engine is on loan from the Science Museum. It was acquired by the Science Museum in 1945. The Science Museum also has a vertical oscillating cylinder engine that is now on loan to the London Museum of Water and Steam (formerly the Kew Bridge Steam Museum).
Crofton Pumping Station - Marshall steam engine One of the workable off-site steam engines displayed in the boiler house. This inverted vertical single cylinder 'bottle frame' engine was built by Marshall Sons & Co Ltd of Gainsborough in c1925. It was used at Lord Mayor Treloar Hospital in Alton, Hampshire to drive the coal conveyor in the boiler house. It was donated by Dr A Twort. The engine was photographed while running.
Crofton Pumping Station - Marshall steam engine
One of the workable off-site steam engines displayed in the boiler house. This inverted vertical single cylinder 'bottle frame' engine was built by Marshall Sons & Co Ltd of Gainsborough in c1925. It was used at Lord Mayor Treloar Hospital in Alton, Hampshire to drive the coal conveyor in the boiler house. It was donated by Dr A Twort. The engine was photographed while running.
Crofton Pumping Station - Sunderland Forge & Engineering Co engine One of the workable off-site engines displayed in the boiler house. This is an inverted vertical single cylinder engine driving a dynamo (DC). It was built c1924 by Sunderland Forge and Engineering Co and used on the steam drifter (fishing vessel) Bluebottle. Rated at 2.5kW, 110V at 450 revolutions per minute. Rescued from the vessel in the breaker's yard and presented by Dr A Twort. This little collection of engines is of interest and shows some of spectrum of stationary steam power. Although its relevance to the site has been discussed, I hope it remains there for the education and interest of the visitors.
Crofton Pumping Station - Sunderland Forge & Engineering Co engine
One of the workable off-site engines displayed in the boiler house. This is an inverted vertical single cylinder engine driving a dynamo (DC). It was built c1924 by Sunderland Forge and Engineering Co and used on the steam drifter (fishing vessel) Bluebottle. Rated at 2.5kW, 110V at 450 revolutions per minute. Rescued from the vessel in the breaker's yard and presented by Dr A Twort. This little collection of engines is of interest and shows some of spectrum of stationary steam power. Although its relevance to the site has been discussed, I hope it remains there for the education and interest of the visitors.
Crofton Pumping Station - the working boiler Steam is now raised in this Lancashire boiler by Thomas Beeley & Co of Hyde and built in 1899. This was installed secondhand in 1986 to replace the 1905 boiler supplied by the Great Western Railway's Swindon works. It came from a Will's tobacco factory in Bristol and there is a spare boiler from the same company's Swindon factory. The firehole doors were reused and the brass surrounds state Great Western Railway. The GWR was once the owner of the Canal and pumping station.
Crofton Pumping Station - the working boiler
Steam is now raised in this Lancashire boiler by Thomas Beeley & Co of Hyde and built in 1899. This was installed secondhand in 1986 to replace the 1905 boiler supplied by the Great Western Railway's Swindon works. It came from a Will's tobacco factory in Bristol and there is a spare boiler from the same company's Swindon factory. The firehole doors were reused and the brass surrounds state Great Western Railway. The GWR was once the owner of the Canal and pumping station.
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Tottenham House is located at Grid Ref: SU2463 (Lat: 51.37, Lng: -1.648)

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