National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port
A museum on the historic canal docks at Ellesmere Port with a national collection of waterways boats, workshops, cottages and boat trips.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum stands on the site of Netherpool, now Ellesmere Port, where a dock complex designed by Thomas Telford and William Jessop transferred goods between canal narrowboats and river craft bound for Liverpool on the Mersey. The port later passed to the Shropshire Union Railways and Canal Company, and its trade declined and ended in the 1950s. A toll house dates from 1805 and the Island Warehouse from 1871.
In the 1970s the dock site was turned into a museum of inland navigation, later known as The Boat Museum. The Waterways Trust ran it from the 1990s and used Heritage Lottery funding to create new displays and improve facilities, and since 2012 it has been owned by the Canal & River Trust, which also runs sister waterways museums at Gloucester and Stoke Bruerne.
Today the Grade II listed dockside includes restored locks, warehouses, a pump house, a power hall, a blacksmith's forge, stables and the Porters Row cottages with their garden. The national waterways collection holds more than 12,000 objects, including historic boats afloat and in dry berths. The Waterways Archive is also kept here. Visitors can take boat trips, follow discovery trails and, on Sundays, join themed events.
Highlights
- Historic canal boats of the national waterways collection
- Restored docks, locks and Island Warehouse
- Porters Row cottages and garden
- Boat trips and themed Sunday events
- Waterways-themed playground and discovery trails
Permanent exhibition
- Historic boat collection and dock buildings – Canal boats afloat and in dry berths, workshops, warehouses and the Porters Row cottages on the restored dockside.
- Operated by
- Canal & River Trust
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £13.25 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £11.95Visitors aged 65 and over |
| Children & teens | £9.95free up to age 5 · Ages 6 to 15 |
| Visitors with disabilities | £11.50Pass Plus 1 ticket covers one person and their carer. |
| Families | £32.50Listed by the museum as a family ticket for two adults and three children |
| Annual pass, adult | £25.50Unlimited visits for twelve months |
| Annual pass, concession (65+) | £23.50 |
| Annual pass, child (6–15) | £18.50 |
| Annual pass, family | £58.50 |
Day tickets are about 10 per cent cheaper when bought online. Children under 6 are free. The annual pass includes free entry to themed Sunday events, with some exclusions.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The café, shop, most galleries and the Canalside Function Rooms have level access, but some paths are uneven because of the historic dockside setting. Accessible toilets and baby changing are in the café in the Island Warehouse. Accessible parking bays have a maximum headroom of 2.1 m. Only assistance dogs are allowed on the boat trips.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | £32.50 · Listed by the museum as a family ticket for two adults and three children |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Baby changing facilities
- Playground / play area
There is a waterways-themed playground, discovery trails and self-led craft activities. Themed Sunday events run through the year. Children under 6 enter free.
Getting there & parking
By car
Free parking
Free parking on site, including accessible bays (maximum headroom 2.1 m). Drop-off and coach bays are outside the entrance. Rapid electric vehicle chargers are available for an extra charge.
- Accessible parking
Sat nav postcode CH65 4FW; what3words ///hobby.dining.vibes.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
Waterside Café and a gift shop with canal-themed books and gifts.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
The Canalside Function Rooms can be hired.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Boat trips run at set times, so visitors are advised to phone ahead to confirm sailings. A guided walk around the site can be arranged. Groups and school visits are catered for. |
