The National Waterways Museum Gloucester Docks is holding a Family Fun Weekend on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th July to celebrate its re-launch following a six month refurbishment earlier this year and the opening of its new Water Lives exhibition.

The Family Fun Weekend is taking place at the museum from 10am to 5pm each day with lots of traditional crafts, arts & craft activities for the children, live music, puppet shows, circus performer and bouncy castle and barbecue at Coots Café Bar.

The Friends of the National Waterways Museum will be demonstrating traditional crafts including lace making and rag rugging as well as firing up the canal dredger on the quayside and inviting visitors to climb on board the museum’s two tug boats.

Younger children will love the canal-themed puppet shows with ‘Flo and Walter’ from Pumpkin Music Box. Performances are scheduled for 11.30am, 12.45pm and 2.00pm on both Saturday and Sunday and are included free of charge with normal museum admission prices. Pumpkin Music Box will also be providing live musical entertainment around the museum over the weekend.

On Sunday 20th July a treat is in store when circus performer Steve Kaos visits the museum between 11am and 4pm. Steve will be bringing his own unique brand of entertainment to Gloucester Docks and sharing his circus skills with children visiting the museum with mini-workshops throughout the day.

Boat trips onboard Queen Boadicea will be departing from the museum at 12 noon, 1.30pm and 2.30pm on both days. Tickets can be purchased from the museum shop for the 45-minute trips with commentary along the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal.

A family barbecue will be available at Coots Café/Bar at the National Waterways Museum from 12 noon to 4pm on the 19th and 20th July so that visitors can spend a whole fun-packed day in Gloucester Docks and find out what the new-look museum has to offer.

Finally, to celebrate the re-opening of the National Waterways Museum Gloucester Docks, a limited and unbeatable offer on season tickets will be available for two days only during the Family Fun Weekend. Visitors will be able to purchase a pass entitling them to 12-months unlimited entry to all three National Waterways Museum in Gloucester Docks, Ellesmere Port and Stoke Bruerne for less than the price of two single entry tickets! A great way to keep the kids entertained throughout the summer.

Don’t miss out on this weekend of fun at the heart of Gloucester Docks, whatever the weather. Come and explore the new-look museum, learn about the fascinating history of Britain’s inland waterways and enjoy a great day out for all the family.