Discover the fascinating history of our inland waterways at three contrasting locations.
Canals have been part of British life for over 200 years, visit the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port, Gloucester Docks and Stoke Bruerne to find out how and why they were built.
Through interactive displays, recordings of former dock and canal workers, archive film footage and exhibits you can explore the fascinating story of this revolutionary transport system.
Our collection of historic boats, the largest in the world, climb aboard and discover what life was like living and working on our canals and rivers.
And, as each museum is housed in a historic waterways location you can see how our canals are used today.
Packed full with things to do, each museum has special workshops,
courses and activities on offer throughout the year.
Archive open days Ellesmere Port
10, 16 & 23 August 2008
Explore the treasure trove of information in the Waterways Archives on one of our summer open days. Read more >
Pirate Week Ellesmere Port
18 - 22nd August 2008
Hunt for hidden treasure amongst the ancient boats!
Read more >
Pirates Weekend Gloucester Docks
23rd, 24th, 25th August 2008
Calling all ye land lubbers to join in a Bank Holiday weekend of family fun and pirate themed activities Read more >
Pirate Weekend Ellesmere Port
24th - 25th August 2008
Pirates invade our Port. Swashbuckling adventures around the Museum site, with Plantagenet Events Ltd Read more >
Build a Boat Ellesmere Port
26th - 29th August 2008
Children's workshops with a boat building theme.
Come along and build your own boat, see if it floats when you have finished! Read more >
students of all ages. 
The National Waterways Museum is operated by The Waterways Trust.
