The restoration is part of a £2.7million project starting in early 2009. The station and building will be conserved; it will also feature exhibitions exploring the social history of the site and celebrating the engineering triumph. New developments also include a café, an education room and car parking – an updated website is also being produced.

When restored, the pumping station will be run almost entirely by volunteers and will host a range of school visits, workshops, talks and guided tours with the aim of bringing its past role to life.

Crossness Pumping Station was created to solve London’s sewage problems in the 19th century, initially caused by the introduction of flush toilets emptying into the thousands of cesspits located around the city. Eventually these cesspits overspilled onto the streets and into the River Thames.

During a heatwave in the summer of 1858 the mixture of heat and exposed sewage resulted in a smell so intense it affected workers in the city, including those in the House of Commons and the law courts. During this time, Prime Minister Disraeli described London as ‘a Stygian pool reeking with ineffable and unbearable horror’.

The capital was in such an appalling state that it prompted the country’s leaders to take action. Eight years, 1000 labourers and 85 miles later, London’s sewers were created and continue to keep the capital clean today.

Wesley Kerr, Chair of the HLF Committee for London, said: “The London Committee is thrilled that this unique part of our city’s heritage, including some of the finest and largest steam engines in existence, house in cathedral-sized buildings on an inspiring Thameside site, is to be filly restored and opened to all.”

“This vital part of London’s past will become a cherished local community asset and an exhilarating destination for future generations.”

The historic landmark will open three days a week from spring to autumn and two days through the weeks of winter.