National Waterways Museum

Who we are

The National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port provides visitors with the unique opportunity to fully engage with heritage through exploring and travelling on narrowboats, handling objects and creating drama. NWM aims to develop creative, innovative and inspiring formal and informal learning opportunities which engage people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds and establish connections between our audiences and our collections. The National Waterways Museum is housed in what used to be a thriving canal dock built by Thomas Telford and in use as late as the 1950s. Attractions at NWN include a collection of historical boats, a blacksmith’s forge, the cottages that housed those who worked on the canal, stables and a power hall, pumphouse and warehouse, all of which come together to create a rounded picture of life on the canals. NWM offers a wide range of workshops and tours for children and young people at Key Stages one, two and three. Workshops are available in history themes such as Home from the Past, Narrowboat Art, World War Two and Local History. Visitors can also take advantage of themed trips on the boats themselves and workshops on the Locks. Workshops at NWN are cross-curricular and can involve elements of Art, Literacy, Citizenship, Design and Technology and Maths.