London Museum of Water & Steam Reviews Summary

Family and Child-Friendliness

Pros:

• "The kids will love it as there is lots for them to do."
• "Nice place for children and adults."
• "Great museum for kids. Loads of interactive exhibits with buttons and wheels for younger kids."
• "So much for children to do. Even with Covid-19 it was still a nice place to visit."
• "A terrific place that has so much to do for small children (2y old)."
• "Lots of fun for the children with hands on exhibits and giant steam pumps in a well laid out welcoming environment."
• "Lots of interactive activities for children such as hands on pumps, games room, outside water pumping area, just to name a few!"

Cons:

• "The kids were too young to be interested in the engineering history, but it was about the right size and not overly crowded."
• "Grossly overpriced and not much fun for a child."
• "A lot of fun for young children though if they're really young it won't hold their attention for very long."
• "The outside children's play area was great when new but now is in urgent need if attention."
• "There were some staff members pottering around but they did not engage with us to tell us what they were doing, and there was nothing interactive for a child."
• "The splash area outside looks great but we went in mid winter."
• "The splash area was a little underwhelming and again is pretty small."

Accessibility and Location

Pros:

• "It's very close to Kew Bridge station out of Waterloo so couldn't be easier to get too."
• "Nearest station is Kew Bridge."
• "There is also parking on site."
• "Plenty of parking."
• "Has disabled parking spaces."
• "Very small parking area at front can be useful if you drive over."
• "Free parking."

Cons:

• "It was also extremely quiet, but perhaps we just picked an unpopular time to go."
• "Note that on match days the roads are very busy, and the car park is used for game parking."
• "Very limited parking in and around the museum."
• "Hidden gem a bit away from the city center but worth the visit."

Value for Money

Pros:

• "£18 admission but that provides your entry fee for a whole year! Excellent value!"
• "And one entrance ticket buy access for a year. What's not to love."
• "Upgraded to an annual pass for 2 quid more which seemed worthwhile."
• "Entrance fee covers re-entry for a year, which makes it excellent value for money."
• "Buying one ticket means you can use it for one year following so a bargain."
• "the tickets are valid for the whole year since purchase."
• "Admission £9.50 for adults, £3.50 for children 5-15. Tickets are valid for a year meaning that all visitors can come back as often as they like."

Cons:

• "It's expensive though at £17 per adult, even if that gives you 'free entry' for children and repeat visits (it's not the kind of museum I'd go back regularly)."
• "Grossly overpriced and not much fun for a child."
• "It was a bit pricey for the entrance fee."
• "£12.50 entrance price for this museum fully functioning is steep."
• "Quite pricey for the experience."
• "Expensive entry £17 adult but it gives a years entrance and with kids free it's good for bigger families."
• "Went there expecting, as a pensioner, to go in free or for a reasonable entrance fee, and was amazed at entrance fee is £19 and reduced at £17."

Staff and Service

Pros:

• "Everyone had a wonderful time, the staff are so friendly and accommodating."
• "The staff are great and provide fantastic educational workshops for schools."
• "Helpful, friendly staff."
• "The staff are very knowledgeable and friendly."
• "Very kind and helpful staff."
• "The staff here could not have done any more to be helpful, hospitable and charming."
• "Very friendly people working there."

Cons:

• "However on arrival the staff were not friendly."
• "We politely gave some feedback to the manage, who was quite frankly arrogant and dismissive."
• "Edit: encountered a very rude elderly volunteer who shouted at me."
• "They don't reply to emails. When you call, they say they'll search your email and reply, and that otherwise they will call you back. But they never do."

Exhibits and Attractions

Pros:

• "Although quite a small museum, it's very interesting and covers uptodate issues ~ clean drinking water and sewage treatment."
• "It gives interesting info on how we get our water, what happens to sewage, how it’s changed over time, why it’s important, and much more."
• "The downstairs exhibit on sewers and water distribution was very good."
• "A fascinating museum, I never even thought about the importance of providing water to the great cities in history yet without it none of them would've existed."
• "This museum has a large collection of static steam engines for pumping water, some of them are four stories high!"
• "It's so interesting and well presented."
• "A fantastic museum detailing how water was provided to the city of London through the ages."

Cons:

• "One point don’t touch any of the machines they are oiled and it gets everywhere!"
• "The steam section was a massive letdown as nothing was in operation."
• "Some of the interactive displays were out of order and none of the engines were in operation."
• "Sadly no engines running today, but the exhibition and the information on display is really interesting."
• "Steam attractions not always working and rather expensive entry price given size if museum but nice for kids, some interactive exhibitions, dress up and a good outdoor water play area for kids."
• "Outside the water tables were not switched off and the train was not running."
• "Really great displays .... but not working.. it's a steam museum folks.. when you take your children your expecting the noises and vibrations and puffs of steam of the engines.. at the very least one machine working away."

Facilities and Amenities

Pros:

• "There is a coffee shop which also sells gifts, to remind you of your visit."
• "The garden outside the museum is v peaceful, nice way to cap off a visit."
• "There is also a nice garden just by the entrance."
• "Victorian times water pump, converted to enlightenment about water infrastructure (water is not naturally there when you open the tap) and raw power display of steam."
• "Such an awesome venue for a wedding! I was lucky enough to photograph a wedding here in the summer!"
• "The toilets are clean and tidy, there is hot water (obviously) and a lot of paper sheets."
• "The little garden is a bonus."

Cons:

• "This used to be an amazing 'hidden' museum full of amazing things. Sadly like most of the London museums it has been dumbed down to be kid and tourist friendly."
• "Lots of fun but the cafe struggles when it gets busy."
• "One flaw is the café, expensive average food. Make sure you bring your own lunch."
• "Food provision could be better."
• "The cafe didn't seem that equipped for allergies."
• "On site toilets and cafe with a selection of tasty looking treats."
• "The cafe offers a modest range of food but excellent quantity and value for money."