Gloucester Waterways Museum

History

The museum opened in 1988. Since then it has provided years and years of countless days out for both young and old. It is housed in a Victorian warehouse on the Gloucester Docks and is one of the several museums operated by the Canal & River Trust, the successor to The Waterways Trust.

The docks at Ellesmere Port were designed by Thomas Telford, a civil engineer. They were a well self-containedworld; today you can still walk around its locks, docks and warehouses, you are also able to visit the forge, stables and workers cottages.

The museum underwent extensive refurbishment and redevelopment from 2007 - 2008 adding new galleries.

The museum features a collection of boats including narrowboats, river barges, canal and river tugs, and a steam-powered dredger. There is also a steam crane and heavy oil engine in the setting of a canal repair yard, complete with working machine shop, forgeand weighbridge, and a hydraulic accumulator. The museum uses modern interactive techniques and hands on exhibits, which includes a model of canal.

Throughout the year the Waterways Museums hosts various events from from beer festivals to historic boat rallies. However, if you happen to visit when there is no event on there is still plenty to do. You are able to plan a full day of activites with the museum with everything that is on offer to explore and see.

If your hungry, the museum also offers a waterside cafe. The menu at the Waterside Cafe includes a range of sandwiches, cakes, snacks and light meals so you can sit back and relax with a nice tasty treat. Don't forget to visit the museums shop. It offers a wide variety of gifts from books on boating, canal history, maps, guides and games.