IEEC4 – Fourth International Early Engines Conference
Location
The Fourth International Early Engines Conference (IEEC4), will take place 20th-22nd March 2026, in and around Bristol, United Kingdom. The format will be similar to previous IEECs, including publication of Conference Transactions.
Venue
Kingswood Heritage Museum, Warmley, near Bristol, South Gloucestershire, UK.
The Museum is one of the area’s key heritage sites and in addition to engine and mining displays, features models of metal smelting and the largest collection of Douglas Motor Bikes.
The Museum complex lies south of the A420 and borders the Ring Road A4174 and Tower Road North. Entrance is on Tower Lane. GPS: The museum buildings are at BS30 8XT. Map Reference: OS Map 172, 667 728
Overview
The main conference will run from noon Friday 20th March 2026 until noon on Sunday 22nd March 2026.
In addition to guided tours at Kingswood, optional Pre- and Post-conference group visits to a number of surviving Newcomen Engine Houses are planned for Thursday 19th March and Monday 23rd March 2026. Paying delegates will receive full details, but the outline is given below to encourage early confirmation.
Accommodation
Central Bristol is obviously well served with hotels so there is ample choice, see Visit Bristol for further information. However, like many large cities, travel can be a hassle and for those of you wanting something nearer to Kingswood Museum, the two nearest, on the A4174 Ring Road are:
- Premier Inn (Bristol East, Emersons Green)
- Emersons Green, 200/202 Westerleigh Rd, Bristol BS16 7AN – Tel. 0333 777 3961
- Travelodge (Bristol Emersons Green)
- Fieldfare, Emersons Green, Bristol, BS16 7FN – Tel. 08719 846584
Local travel during the conference
- If you need help with lifts or anything else please let us know in advance and we will endeavour to arrange – if you are new to IEEC, we will “buddy” you up with other individuals or groups so you are not left by yourself (unless you want to be of course!).
Event and Visits
- During the Conference:
- Friday 20th March 2026 – from 11.00 – Delegates can access guided tours of Kingswood Museum grounds (approx. 1 hour). Conference will finish no later than 18.00 so there will be a second opportunity for a guided tour at this point.
- Saturday 21st March 2026 – Mystery special venue (details to follow!) from 19.00 – less than 20 miles away. A coach will take delegates from Kingswood Museum to our mystery destination – there will be an “extra” charge for this but it will allow us to travel without concerns. (Open to Full Conference and Saturday Day conference delegates only – separate payment)
Please note external visits are not covered by the conference ticket and detailed logistics are subject to change.
- Pre- and Post-Conference visits (Please confirm if intending to attend)
- Thursday 19th March 2026 – Car share tours
- AM Brislington (& Saltford Brass Mill)
- Meet 9.30: Bath Road Park & Ride (Waiting Room) Brislington BS4 5RU
- Forming 2 groups car-sharing to travel; 1 group first visiting Brislington Engine House and the other going to Saltford Brass Mill. Groups will return to the Park & Ride (approx. 11:00) to swap over for the other site visit.
- PM Nailsea
- Meet 13.30: Tesco’s Car Park, Stock Way North, Nailsea BS48 1AQ (By the mural)
- There is car parking on site (generally free for up to 3 hours) and a coffee shop. Nailsea and Backwell station is 1.5 miles distant and collection can be arranged.
- Meet 13.30: Tesco’s Car Park, Stock Way North, Nailsea BS48 1AQ (By the mural)
- AM Brislington (& Saltford Brass Mill)
- Sunday 22nd March 2026 – Car share tour Serridge Engine Site at Coalpit Heath (6 miles away) at around 14.00 after the end of the Conference
- There will be surface and underground tours – most of interesting features are underground. Below ground access is controlled, on behalf of the Landowner, by Hades Caving Club and there is a requirement for all visitors going underground to be covered by suitable insurance (BCA or equivalent).
- If you do not have this, it can be provided by becoming a temporary member of Hades Caving Club – details will be made available during the conference. You will need to be comfortable with climbing short ladders and old clothing is recommended. Suitable footwear, e.g. boots, is essential and gloves are recommended. Hard hats and lights are mandatory (these can also be provided if you do not have them).
- So that everyone can visit the key parts of the site the group will split into smaller parties which will be guided round different sections by members of Hades Caving Club.
- We expect to be on site for around 2.5 hours – visits to further local engine related sites may be available for those that have the energy left to do so. Again, we intend to convene at suitable pub in the evening.
- Monday 23rd March 2026 – Brandy Bottom Colliery
- Meet: at 9.30 at Kingswood Museum Car Park (the Museum will be closed) to drive in shared cars to Brandy Bottom Colliery (5 miles away) where we will be met by members of AIBT and guided round this fascinating and extensive site. We expect to be on site for 2.5 hours, again old clothing and boots are recommended. We need to walk around 400 yards to get to the site. We expect to finish by 13.00
- Please allow for contributions to the upkeep of the sites concerned at the rate of £10 per person per day ( £10 on Thursday and £5 each on Sun and Mon) – we will collect the money from you!
- Confirmations, questions etc to steve.grudgings@btinternet.com
- Meet: at 9.30 at Kingswood Museum Car Park (the Museum will be closed) to drive in shared cars to Brandy Bottom Colliery (5 miles away) where we will be met by members of AIBT and guided round this fascinating and extensive site. We expect to be on site for 2.5 hours, again old clothing and boots are recommended. We need to walk around 400 yards to get to the site. We expect to finish by 13.00
- There will be surface and underground tours – most of interesting features are underground. Below ground access is controlled, on behalf of the Landowner, by Hades Caving Club and there is a requirement for all visitors going underground to be covered by suitable insurance (BCA or equivalent).
- Thursday 19th March 2026 – Car share tours
The variety of engine and IA sites locally precludes any opportunity for boredom, although there aren’t large single engine sites that can accommodate the whole group of delegates; however we do have a very special location planned for Saturday evening.
Prices and Booking
Full Tickets £120, and Day Tickets of £25, £45, £35 and £30 are available (see booking form below)
Please note: Attendee numbers are limited to 70, so we encourage you to book early.
Booking form
Ticket options
A. FULL CONFERENCE TICKET – £120
Representing excellent value for full conference delegates, includes all conference sessions, buffet lunch on Friday and Saturday, and evening meal on Friday, with coffee and tea on all three days. Price also includes copies of the final Conference Transactions.
B. INDIVIDUAL DAY SESSION TICKETS
– Options
| Day Tickets IEEC4, March 2026 | Cost | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Friday 20th (day only) | £25 | Includes: – lunch (finger buffet from 12.00) – tea and coffee on arrival/mid-afternoon NB Delegate Registration desk open from 10.00 Conference begins at 13:00 and should close by 18.00. |
| 2. Friday 20th (day and evening) | £45 | As above, plus evening meal at Kingswood Museum from 19.00 (Hot Buffet and Cash Bar). Event closes by 21.30. |
| 3. Saturday 21st (day only) | £35 | Venue open from 8.30. Conference starts at 9.00 Includes lunch (12.30), tea and coffee (mid-morning and mid-afternoon). (Optional) There will a special “mystery off-site” event on Saturday evening from 19.00 (payable separately). Please confirm if you wish to attend. |
| 4. Sunday 22nd (day only) | £30 | Venue open from 8.30. Conference starts at 9.00 Includes mid-morning tea and coffee. Conference closes by 13.00 |
Please note that day tickets do NOT include copies of the published conference transactions.
If you have specific dietary or access needs, please describe let us know and we will endeavour to comply.
Payment
- By Cheque (see booking form for address details)
- By Bank Transfer – ‘Early Engines’ Starling Bank Account
- Account Number 01444552
- Sort Code 608371.
- Please include your surname as the payment reference AND send an email to admin@earlyengines.org to confirm your postal address (so we can send the conference transactions).
- NB If the ‘Early Engines’ name does not match for BACS online banking, the individual named account authoriser is ‘Steve Grudgings’ organiser of IEEC4 (some banks require the authoriser name)
Programme
The initial outline programme is now available (February 2026), please see the document here:
(Last updated: February 2026)
Call for Papers
The call for papers closed – as of the end of October 2025.
Contact: admin@earlyengines.org
