Once upon a time,
before the town of Portsmouth was founded, this coastline was made up of creeks, low-lying marsh and water. Over the centuries the coastline has altered, but the town's position here on the south coast, its proximity to the open sea, coupled with control of the harbour and its entrance, have secured Portsmouth's place in history as one of the world's great anchorages and a rendezvous for British shipping in times of war for over 800 years
Eastney Beam Engine House
Henderson Road, Eastney, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO4 9JF
An impressive Victorian building containing a pair of classic Boulton Watt beam engines and pumps restored to their original 1887 condition.
The Beam Engine House is normally open from 1pm to 5pm in the last complete weekend (Saturday & Sunday) in every month, except August and December.
Admission is free - the last admission is 30 minutes before closing. Access for disabled visitors is limited, so please phone for details. For confirmation of opening times, please see our Events page. If you are travelling any distance, it is advisable to check opening times on the day (tel. 023 9282 7261).
Why was the beam engine house built?
Because the city of Portsmouth is a low-lying island with poor natural drainage, sewage and waste often polluted the water supply, resulting in many deaths from diseases such as cholera. A new drainage system was introduced in 1868 using gravity to move sewage across Portsea Island to Eastney, from where it was pumped out to sea.
As the city's population increased, more pumping power was needed and the beam engines that can still be seen today were installed. The engines played an important part in improving the health and living standards of everyone in Portsmouth. When they were retired from normal use, the beam engines were still kept in operating condition as a backup until 1954. Maintenance of the engines and pumps was discontinued after 1954.
Following extensive restoration, the Beam Engine House was opened to the public as an industrial museum in 1972. There is limited access for people in wheelchairs due to there being a number of steps. Please contact us for more information (Tel. 023 9282 7261).
