CROFTON will offer visitors rare access to its historic pumping station throughout the Bank Holiday weekend.

Situated six miles from Marlborough, the Grade 1 listed building houses two magnificent Cornish beam engines, one of which (the 1812 Boulton and Watt) is the oldest working beam engine in the world still in its original engine house and capable of actually doing the job for which it was installed.

Visitors will get to experience close up the smell and sounds of these wonderful relics of our past in operation. The Steaming Weekend is a unique opportunity to sneak a peek behind the scenes.

The station will open between 10.30am and 4.30pm each day. Tickets cost £8 for adults. Children under 16 go free. For more details go to www.croftonbeamengines.org.