The summit level of the Canal is 450 feet above sea level and 40 feet higher than any reliable local water sources. The original Rennie survey called for a 2.5 mile tunnel between Crofton and Burbage at about 410 feet above sea level. William Jessop was called in for a second opinion on the survey and he recommended that £41,000 could be saved by, instead of driving a tunnel, raising the summit level by 40 feet through a deep cutting and building six locks from Crofton to the raised summit level. A pumping station, complete with two beam pumping engines was to be erected at Crofton to pump the water from natural springs in the area to the summit. This proposal received Rennie’s approval and was adopted by the Canal Company. The pumping station started operations in 1809 with one engine. A second Boulton and Watt engine was installed in 1812 and this engine is still in operation today.

The Marquis of Ailesbury did not like the idea of a canal running through his estate in a deep cutting and insisted on a tunnel. Thus was constructed the Bruce Tunnel (after Lord Bruce) of length 502 yards.

The 1809 Boulton and Watt engine was replaced with a Simms double cylinder engine supplied by Harveys of Hayle in 1846.

As traffic on the Canal increased, it was found that the springs could not meet the demand. So, in 1836, an eight acre lake was created below the pumping station and touching the south bank of the Canal on land belonging to the Marquis of Ailsbury. This reservoir was fed by several springs, the principal of which has its origins at Wilton village.

The Canal was taken over by the Great Western Railway Company in 1852, The Act of Parliament obliged GWR to keep the Canal navigable, so GWR had to maintain the pumping engines in good order. It was following nationalisation of the railways in 1948 that deterioration was allowed to set in along the whole Canal and in 1958 the pumps stopped working.

In 1968 The Kennet and Avon Canal Trust purchased the engines from the British Waterways Board and began restoration. In 1970 and 1971, the two engines were again pumping water.

Today these magnificent machines are open to the public daily throughout most of the year and can be seen in steam on Bank holidays and most summer weekends. Details of openings and steamings can be obtained by telephoning The Kennet and Avon Canal Trust on 01380 721279 or visit The Crofton Beam Engines website by following this link.

For further information on the Canal’s history, follow this link to view the Canal Heritage pages.