By road: The National Waterways Museum Ellesmere Port is located just off junction 9 of the M53, follow the brown tourist signs to The Boat Museum.
By rail: We are a 10 minute walk from Ellesmere Port station
By bike: the towpath alongside the Shropshire Union Canal runs right up to the museum.
By bus: From Chester catch bus no 1 or 3 into Ellesmere Port Bus station - runs every 10 minutes. Or no 401 - runs every 20 mins. From the bus station then catch the No 1/11 bus to Merseyton Road- runs every hour. For further information on the bus timetables please phone Arriva on 0871 200 2233
Car parking There is ample free car parking at the museum including coach drop off point immediately outside the front entrance and designated disabled parking bays.
Admission
We offer a range of admission packages depending on the size of your group and how often you wish to visit.
Single visit:
Adult: £5.50
Child: £3.50
Under 5’s: Free
Concession: £4.50
Family ticket: £19.00
Concession family ticket: £17.00
Season ticket
With our annual season ticket you can visit any of the three National Waterways Museums time and time again at no extra cost for a 12 month period.
You will also receive a quarterly newsletter giving advance notice of events and activities taking place at the museums.
Season ticket prices (giving unlimited entry to the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port, Gloucester Docks and Stoke Bruerne for a 12 month period):
Adult: £13.00
Child: £8.00 (up to 16 years of age)
Senior Citizen: £11.00
Student: £9.00
Family: £39.00
Concession Family: £35.00
Resident's Pass
If you live in the Borough of Ellesmere Port & Neston, you are eligible for our annual Resident’s Pass.
For just £27.30 per year up to two adults and three children can visit the National Waterways Museum Ellesmere Port as often as you like over the year.
Please bring proof of residency (e.g. a utility bill), pay £27.30 and your pass will be waiting for you when you leave the museum.
Groups
If your party includes 10 or more people we are delighted to offer our highly competitive group package which includes:
• Refreshments on arrival (tea/ coffee and biscuits)
• 30 minute boat trip along the Shropshire Union Canal complete with expert commentary
• 45 minute guided tour of the site with our experienced and knowlegable staff
During your visit there is plenty of time to browse the museum at your leisure, have lunch or afternoon tea in the waterside café or simply sit back and relive the experience of boaters past and present through our archive film footage and audio recordings.
Group bookings must be made in advance. More information can be found in our Group Package Leafletwhich you can download here. Please email or call our bookings team on 0151 355 5017 to discuss your requirements.
Access
Due to the nature of the historic dock complex, parts of the pathways around the site are cobbled and uneven. Wheelchair access is possible to all galleries and displays and an accessible route is displayed on the site map given to all visitors on arrival.
• Accessible parking with level approach to museum, reception and shop
• Wheelchair route around museum complex
• Lift access to main exhibitions
• Accessible toilets and parent & baby room
• Tactile maps
• Two manual wheelchairs on site for public use
• Dogs are allowed on site, but we regret that with the exception of guide dogs and hearing dogs, dogs are not allowed within the Museum's galleries and cafe area.