Inside Abbey Mills Pumping Station
Viewed from Stratford’s Greenway, Abbey Mills Pumping Station rises into view like a temple.
The elaborate waste pumping station is a Victorian creation by the master of sewers himself; Joseph Bazalgette and is often described as a ‘cathedral to sewage’ (or the Cistern Chapel!)
All this for sewage?!
I like to imagine it as the result of Bazalgette being fed up that all his engineering genius was hidden below ground, so he took his chance to show off in plain sight.
What does Abbey Mills do?
Built in a Greek cross and looking like an Orthadox Church. Bazalgette shouldn’t get all the credit, it was also designed by Edmund Cooper and the architect was Charles Driver, built between 1865 and 1868.
London has a natural North-South slope so mostly the city’s sewage flows downhill. Historically there were a few places where it needs an extra ‘lift’ and one of these spots is Abbey Mills. There are other pumping stations in Chelsea and Thamesmead, but this is the only fully operational one now.
Here’s one of the huge sewage pipes that pumps London waste out to the treatment works at Beckton.
Inside Abbey Mills Pumping Station
Over the threshold, you see that ornamentation is still on a par with functionality.
Apart from a few exit signs and safety notices, there’s no escaping the fact it’s beautiful.
A Closer Look
You’ll spot details everywhere, the doors and covered in Celtic brass and copper florets;
And, of course, it’s worth looking up, especially at the Russian Orthodox-style octagonal lantern.
The whole design is a fabulous mix of Italian Venetian, French Gothic, Flemish and Byzantine – with each flourish seemingly chosen on aesthetic grounds rather than conforming to a set style.
And – believe it or not – this is the paired down version.
Printed boards show the original colours that decorated the interior.
With the entirety painted in lurid technicolour, it would resemble its dolled-up (and easier to visit) sister station; Crossness.
Historical Clues
Incredibly, the exterior was once even more elaborate. When first built the station had two high chimneys on either side, looking like Mosque minarets;
Early 20th century photo from an information display inside the station.
The two chimneys were demolished at the outbreak of WWII because of the fear they’d be toppled over and fall onto the vital pumping station.
The huge bases of the chimneys are still visible in the grounds, but our guide said there were no plans to resurrect them.
Visiting
Because it’s a working site, Abbey Mills is notorious hard to get inside. You’re best bet is Open House Weekend (when I managed to book onto a free tour). They also do run tours during London Sewer Week, but apparently this had a two year waiting list! Whoever knew sewage was such a popular attraction?
Discover more East End history
The Spirit of Spitalfields is my 90 minute walking tour through Spitalfields, Brick Lane and Shoreditch. Full of contrasts and known as the “cradle of migration”, the East End is an area of constant change with an ancient history. Placed on the fringe of the encroaching City we will discover the past, present and future of this vibrant and bustling area of London.
*Please note the tour does not include a visit to Abbey Mills Pumping Station*
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Scott Whitehead
Lovely post. I wonder if this design was considered vulgar when it was first built?
Katie Wignall
I don’t think so, I think the Victorians were so proud of their engineering and ignored the *bodily* aspects in polite conversation!