Forncett Industrial Steam Museum
With a National Art Pass you get
Explore the historic steam engines among the award-winning collection at Forncett Industrial Steam Museum in the Norfolk countryside.
Discover an impressive set of stationary steam engines at this museum that celebrates the robust technology of the Industrial Revolution. Get up close to the powerful and carefully preserved machines with their pulleys, flywheels, pistons and cylinders and marvel at the Victorian engineering.
Explore the engines
The collection at Forncett includes one of the last steam engines to enter service in the UK's water industry, which took 30 lorry trips to be transported to site. Also, the Hick Hargreaves engine which once provided power to a Nottingham lace factory, and sprang to life even after 40 years of disuse.
At the heart of the collection is the engine that once opened the 1,000 ton roadway section of Tower Bridge. Installed in 1941 and removed when the mechanism was modernised in 1974, it's a shining example of the power of steam.
Workshop
Donated by Blacksmith Roy Masters, the museum also houses a fully operational Victorian engineer's workshop. Driven by a system of line shafts, belts and pulleys and powered by a Marshall Steam Engine, it is complete with tools including lathes, drills, threading machine and steel bar chopper and punch.
Full steam ahead
The museum is open 2 days a week during the summer months and it is well worth attempting to get along to the ‘steam-up’ days on the first Sunday of the month, when the engines can be seen working. You might even get a ride on the Soame Steam Cart.
Visitor information
Address
Kingsmuir, Low Road, Forncett St. Mary, Norwich, Norfolk, NR16 1JJ
01508 488277
Visitor information
The more you see, the more we do.
The National Art Pass lets you enjoy free entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic places across the UK, while raising money to support them.