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Prickwillow Engine Museum

Museum | Ely | England | United Kingdom

The Prickwillow Engine Museum in Ely is a unique museum focusing on the history of draining the Fens and the engineering of pumping stations. It offers a fascinating insight into the development of drainage technologies that allowed the Fens area to be freed from floods and made agriculturally viable. The region, known for its extensive wetlands, relied heavily on these technical solutions in the past to ensure agricultural use and settlement.

The museum showcases an impressive collection of restored diesel and steam engines that were once used for draining the Fenlands. These engines, often operated in remote areas, are not only technical masterpieces but also testify to the hard work of the people who operated the drainage systems. The exhibited machines are often still operational and are put into use during special events, allowing visitors the opportunity to see these historical machines in action.

In addition to the technical displays, the museum also provides a comprehensive overview of the history of the Fens, the development of drainage systems, and the lives of the people who worked in this environment. There are interactive exhibitions that are interesting for both technology enthusiasts and families with children.

The Prickwillow Engine Museum is an ideal place for those who want to learn more about the engineering of the region and its historical significance. It combines engineering history with a strong educational approach, providing visitors with a deep understanding of drainage techniques and their role in the history of the Fenlands.

Contact details

Web

Phone

Address
Main St
Prickwillow
CB7 4UN Ely

Map view

Opening hours

Sunday12:00 - 16:00
Monday12:00 - 16:00
Tuesday--
Wednesday--
Thursday--
Friday--
Saturday12:00 - 16:00

Reviews

179 Reviews

Real Restaurant Inspector
05.02.2025

If only the cafe was open more often for boaters and passersby and dog walkers, and everyone!
ELFINA LANE
02.09.2024

Had a great afternoon here very informative and educational.Volunteers very knowledgeable and passionate highly recommend a visit.
Simon Moore
15.08.2024

Interesting history of the area and very knowledgeable staff if you have questions, not to mention nice homemade cakes in the tea room.
Tim Newman
12.08.2024

What a superb museum if you are interested in engineering. Run by volunteers with a very modest charge to get in. Watch the DVD presentation first to get a context of how it keep the Fenlands from flooding.
Nigel Bright
06.08.2024

Fantastic museum and classic car meeting well worth a visit
Trevor Butcher
22.07.2024

An interesting place to visit if you are interested in the development of the fens. Very friendly staff and a small Caffè.
chris smith
01.07.2024

Had a fantastic afternoon myself and my wife, made to feel very welcome. You must come and visit, you will not be disappointed.😊😊👍👍
Jub's Journey
26.05.2024

Absolutely fabulous museum that is volunteer ran. Please consider going to this lovely place to keep its history alive and going. Great place to bring your children if they love seeing big engines run....also fun for adults to see all workings of the engines that ran the pumps. There is a wall of second hand books available for .50p and some brick-a-brac for sale that helps keep the place running. The volunteers are incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. Nice little cafe to grab a simple bite to eat in the afternoon. We decided to buy a yearly membership for our household. Can't wait to go back!
Steve Green
18.05.2024

Please look at the attached pictures. This museum is in the process May 2024 of scrapping this lovely old pump. Please let them know what you think of this act of vandalism and refuse to visit!!!
martinpaff
11.04.2024

An excellent fenland drainage museum, and much larger than I had expected. Well laid out, well labelled, and with highly knowledgeable volunteers on hand. Visit on a "running" day, but actually still very interesting and enjoyable at other times.
Mike Bentley
16.01.2024

Great place to visit depending on your interests, coffee great as are the volunteers on site.
Keith Horgan
21.11.2023

A great day out with lots of fascinating machines and historical facts so important to our area.
Laura Jenkins
11.10.2023

Lovely helpful staff
ian gee
05.10.2023

Enjoyed my day at the museum, worth a trip.
Martin Perman
20.09.2023

Excellent museum run by volunteers who made me feel welcome with my engine display, easily acessable for disabled visitors with clean toilets a small cafe and lots to see
Elizabeth Read
31.08.2023

Very interesting history of the fens
Joel Green
23.08.2023

Unfortunatly didnt go in their was only working near it ,, looks like good place of interest n would have liked a walk around
Sue Beecroft
12.08.2023

A wonderful friendly museum with activities, tea and cake... and engines!
Elizabeth Mitchell
12.08.2023

lovely museum well worth a visit
Keith Hamilton
07.08.2023

It was one of their special event days but the number of things to see was well down on the previous year. Very disappointed
Nick H
05.08.2023

Very interesting
Jos Gunsing
02.08.2023

Nice little museum with friendly helpful volunteers
Katharine Kopinski
03.06.2023

Listed as the 11th best thing to do in Ely on TripAdvisor, this place is #1 in our hearts. A quaint museum that goes over the history of draining the fens, they also do Engine runs! May or may not be haunted. Wish they made hats. 10/10.
God
28.03.2023

The engine museum in Prickwillow is simply an amazing little museum. I learnt a lot while visiting and got to enjoy a nice cuppa afterwards. All the staff were welcoming and friendly.7/7 would recommend a visit to anyone interested in the history of the fens or diesel engines.
Crystal Leader
25.09.2022

This is a great museum preserving the heritage and educating all minds old and young. The stream engines of Allen and Mireel are both well preserved, looking shiny and proud at their past achievements. It's run by a team of dedicated and knowledgeable volunteers. We also got a hand-held pad to tell us more about each artefact. I have been wanting to visit here since before the covid, and the wait is well-worth it. The photo shows a piece of Fenland humour at its entrance.

 

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