Discover the fascinating history of our canals at our three museums in Ellesmere Port in Cheshire, Gloucester Docks and Stoke Bruerne in Northamptonshire.

Each museum is housed in a historic building in a location rich in canals and waterways heritage. And each sits on a working canal or docks so you can see our canals in use today, and maybe take a boat trip yourself.

Collectively our museums are home to the national waterways collections, the historic boat collection and the national waterways archive. Individually and together they bring canal history to life.

Help us bring canal history to life
The National Waterways Museum and the publishers of Narrowboat magazine have joined together to help save Britain's historic narrowboats and inland waterways fleet. Canal history is bought to life through well-cared for historic boats in museums and travelling the canals.

Discover how you can become a Supporter.

Tips and inspiration for getting the most out of your canal museum visit.