Keighley Water Tower Visitor Centre
Museum | Keighley | England | United Kingdom
Historic building in Keighley
The Keighley Water Tower Visitor Centre is located at the end of Platform 4 of Keighley Station and is a significant historical building of the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway. The original water tower was built in 1883 by the Midland Railway Company to supply steam locomotives with water. Today, it is a Grade II listed building and represents a unique example of 19th-century industrial architecture.
Visitor center water tower Keighley
Transformation into a visitor centre
19th century industrial architecture
In 2023, the KWVR began the transformation of the water tower into a modern visitor centre. This project was realized with financial support from the Keighley Towns Fund and the Railway Heritage Trust. The renovation included the installation of a new raised floor, providing barrier-free access from the platform, as well as the integration of a glass floor above the original well to provide a view of this historic feature. Additionally, modern heating systems were installed to make the tower comfortable for visitors.
Renovation Keighley water tower
Exhibitions and facilities
Interactive exhibitions visitor center
The visitor centre offers interactive exhibitions that illuminate the history of the KWVR and its connection to the Midland Railway. A model of the water tower demonstrates how water was supplied to the steam locomotives. Historical films and photos are also presented, giving insight into the development of the railway line and its surroundings.
Significance for the region
The water tower and visitor centre are not only a cultural heritage but also a tourist attraction that sparks interest in the history of the railway and the region. The transformation makes the historical building accessible to a wide audience and contributes to the preservation of industrial heritage.
