National Waterways Museum

Book Tickets Online

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.

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 & Cafe (30 Mar 2021 - 1 Nov 2021)
Day	Times
Monday - Sunday	10:00	- 17:00

Museum & Shop (5 Nov 2021 - 29 Mar 2022)
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:

539 reviews

Travelers Choice 2021

Excellent
277
Very Good
188
Average
48
Poor
14
Terrible
12

Recent Reviews:

Cathey O
Wales, United Kingdom
Fascinating place to visit
Tuesday, 21st September 2021
This is a gem of social, industrial and canal history. It has been lovingly restored from dereliction and is set out in a very accessible and well though out way. Much of the site has been restored... Read full review
deve46
Blackpool, United Kingdom
Good for a few hours visit depending on weather.
Sunday, 3rd October 2021
Spent 2 hours here and it is certainly a place to be discovered. Lots to see and do indoors and out centred around a great canal system. Demonstrations were given on the working and principle of... Read full review
AnneForshaw
Irby, United Kingdom
Plenty of photographic opportunities
Friday, 15th October 2021
A goup of 14 enthusiastic amateur photographers booked to spend a day roaming round the large site finding images to record. All the different photographic interests were catered for, wildlife... Read full review