National Waterways Museum

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About Us

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.

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 & Cafe (30 Mar 2020 - 1 Nov 2020)
Day	Times
Monday - Sunday	10:00	- 17:00

Museum & Shop (5 Nov 2020 - 29 Mar 2021)
Day	Times
Monday	Closed
Tuesday - Sunday	10:00	- 16:00

* 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:

522 reviews

Certificate of Excellence 2020

Excellent
268
Very Good
185
Average
47
Poor
13
Terrible
10

Recent Reviews:

lindsalba
Edinburgh
Trip Type:
Couples
a watery gem
Monday, 14th September 2020
This place was a lovely surprise, very beautiful with canals, locks and buildings with exhibitions. Not everything was open yet as they are doing a phased opening but it was a very relaxing and... Read full review
GoGinnyGo
Ventura, California
Fascinating
Tuesday, 15th September 2020
Another large site, well-restored and maintained. Free, at the moment, because some buildings are not open. They also offer masks, if you "forgot" yours. Easy social distancing because it's a... Read full review
glock45
Sturry, United Kingdom
Trip Type:
Solo travel
Well spent 4 hours
Monday, 21st September 2020
Great museum lots of it outdoors. The staff are good and helpful. Spent a very enjoyable 4 hours there Read full review