Pump House at Basing Fen

This is a water pumping station dating from around the late 18th to early 19th century, constructed by Thomas & James Simpson and featuring an engine by Simpson and Thompson. The building is constructed of red-brown brick with a clay-tile roof. Its rectangular plan is aligned with a water course running from the southwest to the northeast, originally used to provide a water supply.

The pump house has brick elevations in English bond. The northwest elevation has a brick plinth visible in four courses, topped by a course of chamfered bricks. A low-set opening, protected by a segmental brick arch, is centrally located, featuring a sawn timber architrave braced with logs. The waterwheel and pump are visible through this opening.

The northeast elevation stands above the watercourse and has a deeper brick plinth extending to the water level, with a segmental brick arch. Above this arch is an opening with a plain timber architrave and sliding shutter. The southwest elevation is similar, but without the opening, and retains the remains of a timber sluice gate at water level. The southeast elevation and roof are obscured by vegetation. The roof appears to be hipped to the northeast and southwest, and the rafter ends are visible.

Inside, there appears to be a floor or mezzanine level above the pumping equipment. The inspection observed a cast-iron waterwheel with metal paddles on the northwest side, its axle connecting to a lower cog that drives an upper cog. The cast-iron frame is embossed with the name Simpson and Thomson and features classical motifs, moulded panels, and corner columns. Stirrup couplings, driven by the upper cog, descend on the southeast side to operate pumping bellows beneath the water level.