Ryhope pumping station

I recently started working in Ryhope, a small coastal village near Sunderland. I keep seeing the signs for Ryhope engine museum and since I was working today I decided to take a look. The engine museum is in the impressive building that was Ryhope pumping station. The building is grade II listed and was built in 1868, it was used for 100 years to pump clean water from underground to supply the area with water to drink. Although the station hasn't pumped water since 1968, the engines still work and are maintained by volunteers. It is the only working example of its kind in existence.

After work, I drove down the road to find the engine museum to be only a few minutes away! As I drove down the drive, the place looked deserted. As I turned the corner I saw two healthcare works ( from the hospital across the road) having a sneaky cigarette break here. I asked about visiting the museum but they told me that it was closed and opens only some Sunday afternoon. The building was very impressive to admire anyway, a very grand Victorian building with autumn leaves all around and the old water reservoir outside had ducks resident. I found out that the site is owned buy Northumberland water but volunteers come to open up the building and run the machines for visitors. I'll have to make another trip when its open.