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

Museum & Shop (5 Nov 2022 - 29 Mar 2023)
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:

547 reviews

Travelers Choice 2021

Excellent
284
Very Good
190
Average
48
Poor
14
Terrible
12

Recent Reviews:

Kismetkrrazy9713
Trip Type:
Family
Great family day out over Easter weekend
Tuesday, 26th April 2022
We visit the National Waterways Museum and the adjoining play area quite often, when we were down in March we saw the poster advertising the canal boats that would be passing through this Easter... Read full review
JillH974
Northampton, United Kingdom
A lovely day out and great value for money
Tuesday, 3rd May 2022
I visited on Bank holiday Monday with my two year old granddaughter. This was a lovely place to explore. There were bridges and walkways, a canal boat to climb inside and workers’ cottages from... Read full review
466roger
Sheffield, United Kingdom
Anyone who has been on a canal holiday will love this place.
Monday, 9th May 2022
Anyone who has been on a canal holiday will love this place. Lots to see, and to my mind, far better than the one at Gloucester. Plenty of space and a nice value-for-money cafe. Read full review