The National Waterways Museum is near the intersection of the Shropshire Union Canal and the Manchester Ship Canal in Ellesmere Port. The museum has an extensive collection of boating-related exhibits with an emphasis on canal boats and Britain’s inland waterways. It includes the world’s largest collection of traditional canal boats and can step aboard many of the boats on display.
The museum was established in the 1970s on the site of a former port, designed by Thomas Telford, that played a crucial role in linking the Mersey and the Severn rivers. This connection enabled goods to be transported more efficiently across the country, boosting trade and contributing to the region’s industrial growth.
The museum preserves and showcases a collection of historic boats, engines and canal artefacts, providing insight into the lives of those who worked on the waterways.
![The National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire (Photo: Stephen McKay [CC BY-SA 2.0])](https://englandrover.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/national-waterways-museum-ellesmere-port-1280x854.jpg)
What to see at the National Waterways Museum
Visitors to the National Waterways Museum can expect a comprehensive and immersive experience. The museum’s extensive grounds include historic buildings, locks, docks and warehouses that have been restored to reflect their original state. One of the highlights is the collection of historic boats, including narrowboats, barges and tugs, many of which are displayed in the museum’s dry docks and basins.
The museum is home to 19 Grade II-listed historic buildings that were part of the historic port. These include the Pump House, where you can see steam-powered pumping engines, which were used to power the dock’s cranes. More engines are on display in the Power Hall. You can also visit the blacksmith’s forge, which features a resident blacksmith, and the stables.
The main exhibition space is in the Island Warehouse; however, this building is currently closed following a theft of 11 exhibits in February 2024.
The museum also features Porters Row, a terrace of four dock workers’ cottages that have been restored to show what they would have been like in 1830, 1900, 1036 and 1952.
The museum also offers boat trips along the canal, providing a unique perspective on the waterway and the surrounding landscape.
Visiting the National Waterways Museum
The museum is located at Ellesmere Port’s historic port, a little over a 10-minute walk from Ellesmere Port railway station. It is around 3.2km (2 miles) north of the Cheshire Oaks outlet centre.
The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Mondays).
Visitor facilities include a gift shop and the Waterside Cafe, which serves drinks and light meals that you can enjoy on their waterside terrace.
Allow around two hours for your visit, a little longer if you’re taking a canal boat trip.
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