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:

513 reviews

Certificate of Excellence 2019

Excellent
261
Very Good
183
Average
46
Poor
13
Terrible
10

Recent Reviews:

Babsstockport
Stockport, United Kingdom
Fascinating museum
Thursday, 23rd January 2020
This is very interesting if you are interested in local history and maritime things. You can take a short trip on the waterway too if you want. The staff are very friendly and there is a lot to... Read full review
TonyBond
Sarratt, United Kingdom
A delight
Monday, 24th February 2020
On a wet and windy day on the Wirral, we had a lovely tour round the site. It is heavily oriented to canals, not least as it is where the Manchester Ship Canal meets the Mersey. We enjoyed all the... Read full review
Davegerrard
Chester, United Kingdom
DaveG
Tuesday, 3rd March 2020
Went round the museum for a couple of hours while my car was being serviced and wish it had taken longer as the visit was a wonderful experience but didn't have enough time to complete the visit. I... Read full review