The National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port is housed on an attractive seven acre site, that was previously a thriving canal docks.
The handsome Victorian buildings that house the Museum's displays sit amidst a scene of locks and moorings vibrant with historic and visiting narrow boats and rich with canal wildlife.
Designed by Thomas Telford under the direction of William Jessop, the docks at Ellesmere Port were still in use as late as the 1950s. They were a marvellously self-contained world and when you visit the museum today you can still walk round its locks, docks and warehouses and visit its forge, stables and workers cottages.
Canals are havens for wildlife. As you explore look and listen out for the many birds that live here or travel through. They include pied wagtails, swans, coots, ducks, cormorants and moor hens. If you're lucky you may catch sight of a king fisher or even hear a sky lark!
New for 2010
We have designed a welcome leaflet to help you get the most out of your visit to National Waterways Museum. Click here for a copy.
