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If you wish to visit the museum it is free and you can find local artefacts from the Roman times through to the Victorian era.听 The collection features household appliances, bicycles and other fascinating items from 1900 to the present day. Items include old irons, washing machines, televisions and very early mobile phones!

Clay pipes found nearby in Rotherhithe

Local children, on 鈥榤ud lark鈥� trips, often discover clay pipes and other hidden treasures that were thrown into the Thames over 300 years ago.

The pumphouse itself was built in 1929 to regulate the water level in the dock system and sits by Lavender Pond and Nature Park.

After leaving the pumphouse the walk continues down Rotherhithe Street. You can access the Thames Path between Globe Wharf and King and Queen Wharf and follow it until you exit by the Spice Island pub and red swing bridge. Please note there are no ramps where the walk exits by the pub, if you can not navigate stairs you can stay on Rotherhithe Street.

Kign and Queen Wharf next to Globe Wharf

Globe Wharf is one of the finest listed warehouses left in the docks. It was built in 1883 as a grain warehouse and later used as a rice mill. King and Queen Wharf, next door, was originally known as Bellamy鈥檚 Wharf and was built by French prisoners during the Napoleonic Wars in the 1790鈥檚.

Whilst walking along the river you can see across to Wapping that still has many old warehouses and pubs. You will notice the white building opposite, the Prospect of Whitby, one of London鈥檚 oldest pubs dating back to 1520.

Lavender Pond Nature Reserve

More about the Pumphouse by Caroline Marais, Head of Centre

The Pumphouse Educational Museum is a unique venue on the Rotherhithe Peninsula.

It houses the Rotherhithe Heritage Museum, a variety of historical exhibits and also offers further educational opportunities in the environmental study centre using the Lavender Pond and Nature Park, an oasis of peaceful relaxation in an urban environment.

The Educational Programme offers key stage 1 & 2 schoolchildren a broad range of sessions in Geography, History & Science which can involve dressing up in Victorian period costume, pond dipping for newtpoles, sorting a range of听 materials or being guided on foreshore trips to discover clay pipes and other hidden treasures that were thrown into the Thames over 300 years ago.

The Reminiscence Communication and Interaction Service is an outreach service for older people in residential care homes. Pumphouse staff conduct training for carers, reminiscence sessions in the homes as well as producing newsletters, displays and Life Memory books which celebrate the life of clients with dementia related illness and help carers to better interact with them.

Each month the Pumphouse provides a two hour session for children aged 9-16 to discover a sense of time and place. The Young Archaeologist Club allows children to explore their heritage. We have been on real archaeological digs, made our own standing stone, and hope to raise the money to build a Saxon roundhouse in the Nature Park.

The Rotherhithe Heritage Museum features a collection of artefacts dating from Roman times to the present day found on the Thames foreshore, telling the story of Rotherhithe and its people. A fascinating glimpse into the ordinary daily life of one of the oldest villages in London.
Other displays include biscuit moulds and other interesting memorabilia from Peek Frean鈥檚, once a major local employer.

Also on show is the 鈥楧on鈥檛 Drop the Coffin鈥� exhibit showing tools of the trade from F. A Albin, the local undertaking firm featured in the TV series of the same name.

The War Room

The main hall features hands-on exhibits, a replica of a wartime front room, Britain in the 50s displays as well as our lovely old Jukebox full of 50s favourites.

The mezzanine boasts a six-foot iced model of Queen Elizabeth II wedding cake (used to approve the design we think) with letter of thanks from Elizabeth II.

Look out for our new exhibition this September- 鈥淧eek Frean & Co. Ltd鈥�. Funded by Heritage Lottery Fund- information, displays, memories and even the smell of biscuits!!

Saxon Roundhouse

The Pumphouse Museum is desperately seeking funding to have five local schools (one a day) and the YAC group (weekend) work with a company who will build with them a Saxon Roundhouse. It will be built as Saxons would have done and it will stay in the nature park. They will also show them how Saxons lived. The project is for September 2005 and will cost 拢6500.00, any pennies gratefully received!!! Any donations, sponsors or help can contact Caroline on 020 7231 2976

Information

To see more about what we do visit www.thepumphouse.org.uk.
The Pumphouse Educational Museum, Lavender Pond and Nature Park,
Lavender Road, Rotherhithe, London SE16 5DZ
Telephone: 020 7231 2976