Markham Grange Steam Museum
An impressive collection of restored stationary, marine and industrial steam engines and pumps, just off the A1 near Doncaster.
Admission is free.
Opening times
- Season
- Easter Monday to the end of August
- Days
- Wednesdays and Bank Holiday Mondays
- Hours
- 10.00am to 4.00pm
- Engines running
- Engines run from about 10.30am to 3.30pm
Admission is FREE. Donations in the box are appreciated to help with restoration and running costs.
It's always best to phone before setting off: 01302 330430
Welcome
The museum has an impressive collection of restored stationary steam engines. In total around 18 steam engines and pumps are on display, some of which can be seen in motion (but not steaming) on open days.
Housed in a purpose-built building, they have been lovingly restored, rebuilt and maintained by a dedicated team of volunteers, who are always willing to show you around and explain things to you. Why not pay us a visit? You will not be disappointed.
How the engines run today
Unfortunately the site steam boiler accumulated a number of too-expensive-to-solve problems and was permanently taken out of service in 2021. For the foreseeable future the museum will have no steam, but many engines are still shown in motion:
- The Goddard & Massey beam engine runs by vacuum, effectively as an atmospheric engine.
- An electric-motor-driven blower delivers air through the former steam pipework at 500 millibar (7 pounds per square inch). This low pressure air system can operate seven engines, plus two others for a short period on request.
- Four engines are driven by electric motors: ‘Reliant’, the J Samuel White compound, the Sisson triple expansion and the Burton test engine.
Museum development work is continuing. Last updated April 2023.
Some of the engines
‘Agnes’
1909 tandem compound mill engine by Pollit & Wigzell
Paddle tug ‘Reliant’
1907 side-lever marine engine by Hepple & Sons
Thornewill & Warham
1884 pair of brewery engines from Warrington
Visiting
The museum is on the same site as Markham Grange Nurseries and Garden Centre.
- Ample free car parking
- Coaches welcome, providing prior notice is given
- Café in the garden centre for hot and cold food and drinks
- A number of shopping outlets within the garden centre
Get involved
The museum is run almost entirely by volunteers. If the prospect of being with and handling heritage steam engines excites you, come along on a Wednesday and have a look around.