THERE’S something for everyone at Leicester’s Abbey Pumping Station this month, with three events coming up that will delight families and real ale fans alike.
Flaming June gets under way with the return of the popular Railway Gala Day on Saturday (6 June).
There’s free admission to the museum and its grounds – perfect for a picnic – while the café will be open for light refreshments. Rides on the narrow gauge railway with Leonard the steam locomotive are just £1.
Railway Gala Day runs from 11.30am – 4pm.
They’ll be pulling pints at the pumping station from Thursday 18 June until Saturday 20 June as CAMRA hosts the 2026 Leicester Beer Festival in the museum’s spacious grounds.
Returning for the third consecutive year, the real ale will be flowing from 12 noon until 10pm on each of the three days. General admission is £8 on Thursday and £9 on both Friday and Saturday when tickets are booked in advance via CAMRA’s website. There’s free admission for CAMRA members.
Finally, visitors of all ages will enjoy the pumping station’s Family Summer Steam Weekend on 27 and 28 June.
Taking place from 12 noon until 4.30pm on both Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 June, the event will recreate the atmosphere of a village gala day, with a wide range of stalls, food and drink, and a display of vintage vehicles.
The pumping station’s majestic beam engines will be in steam, while Leonard the locomotive will be running on the narrow gauge railway, offering rides for just £1.
Music will be provided by a vintage fairground organ, while drinks will be available from the outdoor cocktail and gin bar, with freshly fried chips from the coal-fired vintage chip van and light refreshments from the café.
Tickets for the Family Summer Steam Weekend are discounted when bought online, with a family ticket (two adults, two children) costing £17. A family ticket at the door will cost £20. There is no charge for those aged under 5.
Assistant city mayor Cllr Vi Dempster said: “Abbey Pumping Station always offers a fantastic mix of heritage and family-friendly activities, and this month’s programme really does have something for everyone.
“From the popular Railway Gala Day to the return of the Leicester Beer Festival and an extended Summer Steam Weekend, these June events are a great way for people of all ages to enjoy one of our most unique heritage sites.”
Parking for the pumping station is located at the neighbouring National Space Centre on Exploration Drive, LE4 5NS. The entrance to Abbey Pumping Station is clearly signposted from the car park.
Customers who require assistance to attend Abbey Pumping Station events can apply for a free companion ticket. Please email the team at museumevents@leicester.gov.uk or call 0116 454 4554 during opening hours for more information.
Details of all the events taking place at Abbey Pumping Station – home to Leicester’s industrial, technological and scientific collections – can be found at leicestermuseums.org
Abbey Pumping Station is on Corporation Road, Leicester LE4 5PX.