Country Pub Near Crofton Beam Engines - The Dundas Arms

Accommodation, Lunch And Dinner Near The Crofton Beam Engines - The Dundas Arms In Berkshire

Just a short stroll from the Kennet & Avon Canal in rural Wiltshire, Crofton Beam Engines is one of Britain’s most remarkable pieces of engineering heritage. Still operating today using steam, this 200-year-old pumping station offers a unique and immersive look into the industrial past, right in the heart of the countryside. For walkers, cyclists, and families, it’s a must-visit site with connections to the surrounding canal and nearby attractions, including the much-loved Dundas Arms pub in Kintbury.

At The Dundas Arms, we offer a quintessential British pub experience paired with a convenient location for your visit to the Crofton Beam Engines. Enjoy a delightful pub lunch, relishing in the ambience of our traditional inn, before embarking on your journey to explore the stately rooms and manicured grounds that have intrigued millions worldwide. Our warm hospitality and hearty meals make us the perfect stop for those looking to combine culture with cuisine.

Our menu features locally sourced ingredients, ensuring a delicious and authentic taste of the region. Whether you fancy a classic fish and chips or a hearty pie, our offerings cater to all palates. Pair your meal with a pint from Butcombe Brewery, and you’re set for a satisfying feast.

The History Of The Crofton Beam Engines

Built between 1807 and 1809, Crofton Beam Engines were designed to pump water to the summit of the Kennet & Avon Canal, ensuring boats could navigate the highest point of the waterway, near Bruce Tunnel and Wilton Water.

The station originally ran on a Boulton & Watt beam engine and was later upgraded with a second engine by Harvey & Co. of Hayle. Remarkably, both engines still operate today, with the Boulton & Watt engine being the oldest working steam engine in the world still performing its original function—a true marvel of British engineering.

Restored by volunteers in the 1960s and now operated by the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust, the site is open to visitors during the warmer months, with regular steaming days that bring history to life.

Opening Times at Crofton Beam Engines

Crofton Beam Engines welcomes visitors on two types of open days – Steaming Days and Non-Steaming Days – each offering a different experience and schedule.

Steaming Days, such as the weekend of 28 & 29 June, give visitors the chance to see the historic engines in action. On these days, the car park is open from 10:00 to 17:00, with access to the site and station available from 10:00 to 16:30. The last admission to the station is at 15:30. A ticket is required for entry, priced at £12.50 for adults, while under-16s can visit for free. The on-site café, The Smithy, is also open on these days from 10:30 to 16:00, offering refreshments for visitors enjoying the full steam experience.

 

On Non-Steaming Days, the site is open with a more relaxed schedule and free access to the engine house, though an annual pass (£6) is required. The car park opens from 10:30 to 16:30, with the site itself open from 10:30 to 16:00 and the station accessible from 10:30 to 15:00. Last admission is at 15:30 for the site and 15:00 for the station. While the café remains closed on non-steaming days, visitors are welcome to bring their own food and enjoy a picnic with scenic views overlooking the canal.

 

Steaming days are planned throughout the spring and summer months, typically taking place in April, May, June, July, August, and September. For full details and to check specific dates, it’s best to visit the official website at croftonbeamengines.org.

What to See and Do at Crofton Beam Engines

  • Guided Tours – Learn how the engines were built and operated, and explore the engine house, boiler room, and workshops.
  • Live Steaming Days – On special weekends, see the beam engines in full motion, driven by coal-fired steam just as they were two centuries ago.
  • Engine House & Boiler Room – Marvel at the scale and intricacy of Georgian engineering.
  • On-site Café – Enjoy drinks, cakes and light bites with a view of the canal and rolling countryside.
  • Wilton Water – A tranquil reservoir beside the station, created to supply water to the canal—great for a short walk or picnic.#
  • Events & Educational Days – The site regularly hosts heritage events, family activity days, and talks.

Nearby Attractions to Combine with Your Visit

  • Bruce Tunnel – A short walk east along the canal brings you to this 502-yard tunnel—boats still pass through it today.
  • Wilton Windmill – A beautifully restored 19th-century windmill and the only working windmill in Wessex. Located just above the engine site.
  • Kennet & Avon Canal Walks – Follow the towpath east or west for peaceful, wildlife-rich walks and idyllic countryside.
  • Hungerford Wharf – A charming spot for lunch or coffee, with antique shops and canal boats.
  • The Dundas Arms, Kintbury – A traditional waterside pub offering food, drink and accommodation right on the canal.

Walking Tips & Accessibility for Visitors

Exploring the Kennet & Avon Canal and Crofton Beam Engines on foot or by bike is a relaxed and accessible experience for most visitors. The towpath is largely flat and well-maintained, making it suitable for casual walkers, families with children, and cyclists. However, a few helpful tips can make your visit even more enjoyable:

  • Footwear: Sturdy walking shoes or trainers are ideal—some parts of the towpath may be muddy after rain.
  • Signage: Waymarkers are placed at regular intervals along the towpath, and the route is intuitive to follow, particularly between Crofton, Hungerford and Kintbury.
  • Facilities: Public toilets are available at Crofton Beam Engines and at canal-side locations in Hungerford and Great Bedwyn. The Dundas Arms also has excellent facilities for guests and diners.
  • Dogs: Well-behaved dogs are welcome on the towpath and at The Dundas Arms, as well as at Crofton’s outdoor areas (though they must be kept on leads during steaming days).
  • Mobility Access: While Crofton Beam Engines has made efforts to improve access, some parts of the site (such as upper floors of the engine house) may be difficult for wheelchair users. The towpath itself is accessible in many areas, but surfaces can vary.

Wildlife & Natural Beauty Along the Route

The route from Crofton Beam Engines to Kintbury offers not just history and heritage, but also a rich slice of British countryside teeming with flora and fauna. As you walk or cycle the canal towpath, you’ll encounter a living landscape that changes with the seasons.

  • Birdlife: Keep an eye out for kingfishers darting low over the water, red kites circling overhead, and reed warblers hidden among the canal reeds.
  • Butterflies & Dragonflies: The towpath edges and nearby hedgerows are alive with colour in spring and summer, with butterflies and dragonflies flitting through the wildflowers.
  • Canal Wildlife: Moorhens, coots, mallards and swans are commonly seen gliding along the water, while fish ripple just beneath the surface.
  • Mammals: You may be lucky enough to spot a water vole or a deer in the woodland fringes near Wilton Water or Freeman’s Marsh.

How to Get to The Dundas Arms from Crofton Beam Engines

The Dundas Arms in Kintbury lies to the east of Crofton Beam Engines, around 6.5 miles along the Kennet & Avon Canal towpath—making it a perfect destination for a linear walk or cycle ride.

By Foot or Bike:

  • Route: Simply follow the canal towpath eastward from Crofton towards Kintbury, passing through Great Bedwyn, Little Bedwyn, and Hungerford. It’s a scenic, signposted and mostly flat route.
  • Distance: Approx. 6.5 miles
  • Time: Around 2.5–3 hours on foot, or 45–60 minutes by bike
  • What to Expect: Charming locks, canal bridges, woodland views, and local wildlife along the way

By Train:

  • Nearest station to Crofton: Bedwyn Station (a short walk or taxi ride from the beam engines)
  • Train to Kintbury: From Bedwyn or Hungerford, take the train eastward on the Great Western Railway line (approx. 5–15 minutes)
  • Kintbury Station is directly beside The Dundas Arms, making arrival seamless