National Waterways Museum Ellesmere Port
National Waterways Museum Ellesmere Port things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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The National Waterways Museum - Discovering the life of people and the boats on Ellesmere Port What is the National Waterways Museum? The National Waterways Museum is located in Ellesmere Port. It is a beautiful site with full of history and with stunning views around the site. On your visit you will see: Porters Row cottages The Blacksmith’s forge The Canal docks The Island Warehouse Exhibition The Power Hall The Pump House The Port Row Cottages All parts of the site were enjoyable but the best part of the visit was seeing the Port Row Cottages. It was interesting and fun seeing how people lived through the old times in Ellesmere Port. They were built in 1833. The Port Row cottages were there over many years. They were occupied by a variety of people including shipwrights, blacksmiths, railway workers, porters and their families. Today they are real homes from the 1830s, 1900, 1930s and the 1950s. It was great to see the various items of furniture including wardrobes, lovely fireplaces, and items of kitchen equipment. The Blacksmith’s forge This is where the canal’s company iron work was made. The site was interesting but small. Alex was there and he was friendly giving us a brief insight into his work as a blacksmith. The Canal Docks When visiting this 7 acre site you will walk through the scenic views showing the Victorian buildings, docks, locks, stables, cottages, and canal basins. Ellesmere Port has played a vital role in developing the North West into a powerhouse. The Island Warehouse Exhibition This Exhibition was good. It was wonderful seeing the different objects that you see on the docks. I was intrigued about how a ice breaker boat worked. It was lovely seeing the different shapes and sizes of boat from a coracle to a canoe and the narrow boat Friendship. The Power Hall The Power Hall houses a vast variety of engines that are all associated with water. It was great to look at different types. It was interesting to learn about them too. They are maintained by the Museum volunteers. The collection included the 50HP Bolinder twin diesel engine which is now in running condition. The Pump House The Pump House was great. It included the steam driven pumping engines that supplied power for hydraulic cranes. Also the Yarwood steam engine is also on display too. Facilities The National Waterways Museum has a nice café with beautiful views looking over the Port. They offer hot and cold drinks. There is also a good selection of sandwiches and cakes however they stop serving food from 2.30 pm. There are also toilets on the site. Lighting and Access The lighting at the site is decent yet the majority of the site is outdoors with a few indoor sections. In relation to access the site is not on one floor. It is spread across the site with steps and ramps to access the Power Hall and the Pump House. It is also the case to when getting up close to the ships on the docks. Pricing You will need to pay in order to gain entry at the National Waterways Museum and the prices are: Family: £28.50 Adult: £11.75 Concession: £10.50 Child: £8.50 Under 6 are free. Your ticket will then be valid for a period of 12 months. This means that future visits within the 12 month period are free. Parking The National Waterways Museum has its own car park which is nearby to the site. If you love learning about the history of Ellesmere Port and how people lived during the old times in a fun and interesting way then The National Waterways Museum is for you. T
Yasmin Al-Sheklly
30
Quite simply superb! In Ellesmere Port and I spent over 3 hours here on this seven acre site with its Grade 2 listed buildings. So much to see. Dog friendly (on leads). Shop. Café. Exhibitions and special events, working locks - as it is sited on the Shropshire Union Canal where it meets the Manchester Ship Canal. There is a collection of 50 historic boats and 15,000 objects, not that I was counting, ha. Kids play area, industrial archaeology and a row of 1833 period houses which you can enter, but not upstairs. There is a working blacksmiths forge which offers teaching lessons in blacksmithing. Amongst the displays and collections of artefacts and model ships stands a crocheted horse that is something else, as is the colourful textile hanging. But my absolute favourite top notch part was the Power Hall. (G on the map plan.) The staff throughout the museum were very welcoming, informative and keen to share their knowledge and nowhere more so than in the Power Hall. Brilliant collection of working engines, all very Heathcote Robinson! Mesmerising and hypnotic when they are operating, chuffing and sighing and seamless and faultless. They are beautiful, magical, smooth and absolutely brilliant and built to last. Genius. I had to force myself to leave the Power Hall as I could have stayed there quite happily til closing time. One machine in particular could easily have lulled me to sleep. So glad I went. And....your ticket is valid for a year, so you can revisit as many times as you like! 100% recommended. Loved it.
Ambrose's Legit Honest Reviews
10
What a great place to visit. We came here on a coach tour as a last minute itinerary change and would have liked to stay for a number of hours longer. The museum is set over 7 acres and has a lot of things to see and do. Many of the buildings have working exhibits, and there are a variety of different buildings from when the port was a working site to look around, many with original features and equipment still in place. A majority of the information is in the "museum building" set on a island, containing information about how narrowboats are created and what life was like on the canals. Other buildings contain a row of houses showing changes to people's home lives over a period of time. As you would expect from a museum dedicated to the waterways, there are a number of boats on the water, with some of them being open to go into. Others have boards explaining their roles from when they were working vessels. If you are looking for somewhere to go for a few hours, even if you don't think that you're interested in canals, this is a great place to go.
Jonathan Hart
10
We spent a couple of hours there and that wasn't enough to see everything! The tickets last for 12 months so you can go back as many times as you like. (We got in free as members of the Canal & Rivers Trust.) There are plenty of indoor exhibitions to shelter in if it rains and activities to keep the little ones happy. There's a well stocked gift shop selling all things canal books, maps, painted water jugs, small 'pocket money' gifts for children. A large café which unfortunately we didn't have time to try. Importantly all the toilets on the site are clean and well maintained. A mention to the volunteers who are dotted around the place and VERY helpful and extremely knowledgeable about the history of the boats, museum and local history. One lady who spoke to us was a volunteer from the very start helping to clear out the old locks and basins. Highly recommended for a day out for families of all ages.
Paul Wain
20
The National Waterways museum at Ellesmere Port is well worth a visit. There is free parking alongside (although there is a height barrier which excludes motor caravans), we got permission to park in the coach park as we were too high. Inside there is a nice cafe selling coffee, cakes and other refreshments. The whole place is kept immaculate. There are old boats to look around both inside and outside all of which are explained by information boards. One shed is dedicated to engines used in the canal world and another to explanations about the horses. A row of houses shows you what accommodation was like for porters working at the port. Tickets are great value and give you entry for a whole year to both this museum and it's sister at Gloucester docks along with special events they put on.
Gerard Harris
10
This has got to be one of the places to visit for those water boat enthusiasts especially if you are into industrial history or even wondering why the canal systems developed in Britain. There is so much to learn for here that it practically is more of an educational centre We just came in for a peak but were blown away by by what was within this attraction. U can relax , explore , or just lazily walk around , I did everything and will keep on coming back different times of the year as this is a very enjoyable place . Toilets are abundant, lots of walkways and steps . Some places accessible to wheelchairs and buggies and also interactive corners for the kiddies. Of coarse a cuppa is ends the visit nicely at the Waterfront restaurant and Cafe. Car parking is just opposite the centre itself.
Tollets TalesAndTrails
20
Nearby Restaurants Of National Waterways Museum Ellesmere Port
Port & Anchor Kitchen and Bar
Express Cafe
Light of India
Horse And Jockey
Haruns Kebab House Ellesmere Port
Tuscano
Port & Anchor Kitchen and Bar
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Express Cafe
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Light of India
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Horse And Jockey
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Learn more insights from Wanderboat AIBasic Info
Address
S Pier Rd, Ellesmere Port CH65 4FW, United Kingdom
Map
Phone
+44 151 355 5017
Call
Website
canalrivertrust.org.uk
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.6
(874 reviews)
Ratings & Description
cultural
family friendly
Description
The National Waterways Museum is in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, England, at the northern end of the Shropshire Union Canal where it meets the Manchester Ship Canal.
attractions: , restaurants: Port & Anchor Kitchen and Bar, Express Cafe, Light of India, Horse And Jockey, Haruns Kebab House Ellesmere Port, Tuscano
