National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port

The National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port is a transport museum in Cheshire, in north-west England, devoted to the story of Britain's inland waterways. It occupies the old dock complex where the Shropshire Union Canal meets the Mersey estuary.

What is the National Waterways Museum?

The museum explains how canals and rivers shaped British industry, trade and everyday life. Until 2010 the Waterways Trust ran three sites under the shared name National Waterways Museum. That year the Gloucester site became the Gloucester Waterways Museum and the one at Stoke Bruerne became The Canal Museum. Ellesmere Port kept the original name and is now run by the Canal & River Trust.

Why is it located here?

The docks were designed by the celebrated engineer Thomas Telford. The port linked the canal network with the Mersey and kept working into the 1950s. After it declined, the buildings stood derelict until a determined group of volunteers began rescuing them in the 1970s and turning them into a museum. Today the site contains 19 Grade II listed buildings, so the setting is part of the exhibit.

What can you see?

The collection holds Designated status as a collection of national importance and includes more than 5,000 objects, from large boats to small items such as canal company buttons. The museum describes itself as home to the world's largest collection of traditional canal craft. That is its own claim, but the fleet is certainly impressive. You can step aboard most of the boats, which gives a real sense of the cramped cabins where whole families lived and worked.

Can you take a boat trip?

Yes. The trip boat Diana Margaret leaves from the historic docks and heads along the northern stretch of the Shropshire Union Canal, nicknamed the "Shroppie", towards Chester. The cruise lasts around 30 minutes and comes with live commentary from volunteers who know the waterway's history.

Getting there

The museum is on South Pier Road (postcode CH65 4FW). It is roughly a 15-minute walk from Ellesmere Port railway station. You can also follow the towpath beside the canal directly to the museum.

Frequently asked questions

Is it linked to other canal museums? It used to be: until 2010 three sites shared the National Waterways Museum name. Gloucester and Stoke Bruerne now trade under their own names.

How long should I allow? A few hours is sensible, since there are exhibition halls, the historic dock, boats open to visitors and the short cruise.

Should I check opening times first? Yes. Hours and the availability of attractions vary by season, so check the Canal & River Trust website before you go.

Is it suitable for families? Yes. Boarding the boats and taking a short cruise make it engaging for children too. A current exhibition marks 50 years of the museum, from 1976 to 2026.

Who is it for?

It suits anyone interested in industrial heritage, engineering and inland navigation, and anyone curious about life on Britain's canals. Ellesmere Port combines well with a trip to nearby Chester and the Wirral, and the waterside setting makes for an easy full day out.