Chester on the Web - Visit Chester on the Web your Ultimate Guide

With its delightful waterside setting, flotillas of historic boats and fascinating displays housed in fine Victorian buildings, the Museum is a great day out whatever the weather.

Visitors can take a boat trip through an industrial landscape, visit the museum blacksmith and explore traditional narrow boats and homes through the ages, complete with cottage gardens.

Its stunning location beside the Mersey and the Manchester Ship Canal makes the museum well-placed to show how the waterways helped drive the UK's astonishing industrial revolution.

Climb aboard our canalboat Centaur for a boat trip on the Shropshire Union Canal. This 30 minute trip takes you through a fascinating industrial landscape criss-crossed with past and present transport systems. Your tour guide will unfold for you the stories that lie behind the passing bridges and quaysides and bring to life the changing fortunes of the canal and its people.

Boat trips on Centaur are a great way to slow down and experience canal life - life at 4mph. 

Trip times and availability vary* Please phone 0151 355 5017 on the morning of your visit to check boats rides are available and to confirm times that day.

Tickets Adults £1.50, children and concessions £1

Look out for...

The grooves on the old Victorian Bridge worn down by the ropes of horses as they pulled narrow boats to and from Ellesmere Port docks.

The local wildlife and the sun glinting on the water. 

The museum entrance houses the café, shop and reception.

The Waterside Café has lovely views across the canal basin site and offers a warm welcome. The menu includes a range of tasty sandwiches, cakes, snacks and light meals.

The museum shop has a wide range of gifts and souvenirs to buy, including books on boating and canal history, maps, guides and games. You'll also find painted canal-ware and original items made by the museum blacksmith.

Look out for...

The comings and goings of boats and birds in the museum's canal basin and locks. 

The first ray of sunshine which means you'll want to take your tea outside on the café's waterside terrace.

Contact  

National Waterways Museum

South Pier Road

Ellesmere Port

Cheshire, CH65 4FW

By phone

24 hour information line  0151 373 4373

Bookings and enquiries   0151 355 5017

By email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

By fax 0151 355 4079