Amwell Marsh Pumping Station

Amwell Marsh Pumping Station is a pumping station building constructed in 1883 for the New River Company by Frederick Hitch of Ware. It is built of yellow stock brick with Portland stone dressings, red brick inset panels, and hipped red tile roofs. The building features a tall rectangular engine house raised on a high base, with an outside stair at the rear. The design includes an elaborate arcaded treatment with recessed panels of red brick. Portland stone is used for the moulded necking, imposts, drip mould, corbelled window sills, and large brackets supporting the wide eaves. The east-facing side has a three-bay arrangement with round arched windows in the outer bays at two levels, featuring cast iron frames. The south and north fronts, which face the road, are similar and consist of two bays. There is also a low single-storey L-shaped range attached to the west, which shares the same elaborate treatment and arcading. Originally, the pumping station was steam-driven and is said to have housed a beam engine. It forms a group with the Engineers House located beside The New River.