The National Waterways Museum represents a major centre for the preservation and interpretation of the history of the UK’s inland waterways and the inland waterways collection has been designated by Government as being of national and international importance.
We care for approximately 5,000 items, 40,000 records and 80 historic boats, ranging from small canal tokens to concrete barges!
These artefacts help tell the story of the heyday of the canals, from the late 18th century to the mid 19th century.
We are unable to display all the collection at any one time and the reserve collection is kept in controlled conditions to ensure its survival. For information on the collection you can contact the collections team by email.
Click on the links below to find out more about what is on display at each location:
The Waterways Archive collects, preserves and makes publicly available records relating to the inland waterways.
These records include plans, drawings, accounts, photographs and records.
At the core of the collection are the archives of British Waterways and the early canal companies, which trace the history of Britain’s inland waterways back to its very roots in the 17th century.
The on-line archive catalogue brings together resources covering the history of canals from the 17th century to the near present day which are located at 15 different archives across the UK.
Virtual Waterways is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. As well as being able to search the on-line database, you will also find a range of resources to help with researching family or local history and, if you are a teacher there are curriculum-linked worksheets so you can use the information with your pupils.
Historic Boat Collection The inland waterways collection also includes the historic boat collection, which is the largest of its kind in the world. Find out more about this important part of the collection. Historic Boat Collection
