National Waterways Museum
Travelers Choice 2022
Planning your visit
Address: National Waterways Museum South Pier Road, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, CH65 4FW View on Google map
Phone: 0151 355 5017
Email: nationalwaterwaysmuseum@canalrivertrust.org.uk
Opening Times: The museum is open every day from 10am to 4pm. On Tuesday 12 July, the museum will be closing early at 3pm. The museum will be closed on Tuesday 8 November and Wednesday 9 November 2022 for staff training.
Price: Adult (16 & over) £9.75. Child (6-15) £6.00. Child (5 and under) Free. Family £25.00. Concession £8.50. Your ticket allows you to return as often as you like for one year.
Toilets: In our café and in the Island Warehouse, the main exhibition area. Disabled access and baby changing facilities available.
Sitting where the Shropshire Union Canal meets the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Mersey, this transshipment dock, once a noisy, bustling hub is now an area of calm and tranquillity.
Come and absorb the history from the Grade II listed buildings and learn about the lives and work of the canal people as you stroll around this seven-acre site.
We have been awarded the ‘We’re Good To Go’ standard to reassure visitors that we are following public health guidance. When you arrive, you will see additional safety measures across the site in line with COVID-19 guidance.
Friendly dogs are welcome and we ask that they be kept on a lead at all times.
Things to see and do
The museum is a great place to meet family and friends for a wonderful day out. Make the most of your family pass which, for a standard admission fee, allows you to visit as many times as you like for a year. With our new QR Audio Trail and outdoor play area there are a number of reasons to return. Be sure not to miss our historic slipway with views across the Manchester Ship Canal and River Mersey to Liverpool, and look out for all the wonderful wildlife across site too.
By boat - follow the Shropshire Union Canal all the way to Ellesmere Port. We have some visitor moorings available in the docks.
By road - Postcode CH65 4FW. Follow brown signs for 'The Boat Museum' and you'll find loads of free parking for bike and cars including electric charging points and disabled parking spaces. The coach drop off point is outside main entrance.
By rail - Ellesmere Port station is a 15 minute walk. The local cabs should only charge £3 to drive you to the museum.
By bike - the towpath alongside the Shropshire Union Canal runs right up to the museum. Always remember to share the space.
By bus - Ellesmere Port bus station is 20 minutes walk. For information on bus and train travel call Traveline on 0871 200 2233 or download the itravel smart phone app - a free journey planning app for Cheshire West and Chester with up to date travel information, interactive maps and public transport timetables.
Getting about
Everyone deserves to get the best possible experience at the museum on a day out. Please refer to our access statement for more information before your visit.
