National Waterways Museum

Book Tickets Online

Unlock the wonders of our waterways at National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port.

With its delightful waterside setting, flotillas of historic boats and fascinating displays housed in fine Victorian buildings, the museum is a great day out whatever the weather.

Visitors can take a boat trip through an industrial landscape, visit the museum blacksmith and explore traditional narrow boats and homes through the ages, complete with cottage gardens.

There are family activities every school holiday and events from the Easter Boat Gathering to Santa Cruises. As well as the waterside café visitors will find lovely places for picnics throughout the site.

National Waterways Museum is taking part in the Visit Britain National Lottery Campaign. Claim your voucher code and book your tickets here.

Book Tickets

Guide Prices

Adult (16 & over) £9.75. Child (6-15) £6.00. Child (5 and under) Free. Family £25.00. Concession £8.50. Your ticket allows you to return as often as you like for one year.

Opening Times

Museum & Shop (5 Nov 2021 - 29 Mar 2022)
Day	Times
Monday	Closed
Tuesday - Sunday	10:00	- 16:00

Museum, Shop & Cafe (30 Mar 2022 - 1 Nov 2022)
Day	Times
Monday - Sunday	10:00	- 17:00

* Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day.
Winter cafe opening hours Tuesday to Sunday - 10.00am - 3.30pm serving hot food 11.00am - 2.30pm

Awards

Regional and Miscellaneous Marketing Cheshire Dog Friendly Business of the Year - 2018 2018

Directions

Road Directions

Leave M53, jct 9 and follow signs.

Public Transport Directions

By rail – Merseyrail half-hourly service from central Liverpool and stations on the Wirral. 10-minute walk from Ellesmere Port station

By bike - the towpath alongside the Shropshire Union Canal runs right up to the museum.

By bus – 20-minute walk from Ellesmere Port bus station. Wide range of services including from Caernarfon, Chester, Liverpool, Neston, Runcorn and Wirral.

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

543 reviews

Travelers Choice 2021

Excellent
280
Very Good
189
Average
48
Poor
14
Terrible
12

Recent Reviews:

stucalinz56
Gloucester, United Kingdom
A morning visit
Monday, 25th October 2021
my uncle and I visited here as he used to work on the boats around Gloucester down to Wales this is a very bid site with lots to see .I think its better to go here in the summer as when we went some... Read full review
Ian H
King's Lynn, United Kingdom
Trip Type:
Couples
Aaaahthe old times!
Saturday, 6th November 2021
Having seen this place on tv we thought that as we were in Liverpool anyway it would be worth the thirty minute drive to check it out. Set over quite a large area there is a lot to see all of which... Read full review
GlobeTrotting828973
Manchester, United Kingdom
Trip Type:
Couples
Great morning visit
Saturday, 1st January 2022
On our way back home after an overnight stay on the Wirral we stopped at the Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port. It’s very handily located off the M53. First we walked along the side of the canal... Read full review