National Waterways Museum Museums

Located within the beautiful English county of Gloucestershire, the museum charts the fascinating story of Britain's canals through a special collection which has been designated as being 'of National Importance'.

We concentrate on providing fascinating 'hands on' displays covering a whole range of waterways related topics. Enter through a replica lock chamber, complete with running water, as exhibits, interactive computers and videos help give you a taste of what it was like to live and work on the waterways.

Our historic boat collection includes narrowboats, river barges, canal and river tugs, as well as 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, forge and weighbridge.

At the National Waterways Museum we care for approximately 5000 items. These range from the tiny to the gigantic - canal tokens, a hockey stick icebreaker, a cannon to signal that the lock was ready and a concrete barge!

All visitors receive a Share Certificate and can use interactive computer terminals to journey through time to find out whether their shares will leave them stinking rich or stony broke.

Events 2006

January 2006

1st-9th Family activity workshops, make & take (tinsel trail) Museum

21st Tug & boat handling course

1st-31st Friends photo competition finalists small exhibition

1st-21st Small exhibition of wooden model boats

February

2nd - 28th British Waterways Virtual Archive Exhibition

11th-19th Halfterm 'wicked wildlife' theme week with special hands-on activities (Monday 13th & Friday 17th special visit from Bristol Zoo outreach project with live wildlife/animals etc)

18th Boaters craft group-demonstrations of traditional crafts & costumes

1st-17th Display of items from the Boat Museum at Ellesmere Port

March

1st-17th Diorama of the Wagon repair yard, Gloucester docks

11th-12th Science week/Einsteins birthday-hands on tutored experiments & drama

26th Mothering Sunday Family activity day.

(Mums free entry to museum)

April

1st Daily 45 minute canal trips start to Hempsted (various times)

1st-17th WOW-(waterways/wildlife) activities, workshops & demos.

2nd Annual 'Boat jumble' Gloucester Docks

9th Boaters craft group-demonstrations of traditional crafts,costumes & rope making

15th Steam day-engines in operation

15th/16th Britain since the 1930's activities & exhibition, Tug & boat trips

16th Easter tea cruise

22nd April Blacksmiths course (bookable in advance)

May

45 minute canal trips to Hempsted (various times) daily

Museums & Galleries month-making connections exhibition

6th Tug & boat handling experience (bookable in advance)

14th Steam day-engines in operation

14th All day Boat trip to Sharpness with lunch

20th Tewkesbury disco cruise (bookable)

20th-26th School halfterm week with themed activities & workshops

20th/21st Egyptians-themed children's drama, activities & workshop

28th Saul tea cruise

8th-9th June Curriculum curator exhibition

June

3rd Blacksmiths course (bookable in advance)

3rd Boaters craft group-demonstrations of traditional crafts & costumes

45 minute canal trips to Hempsted (various times) daily

6th Sunset cruise (bookable)

9th Disco cruise to Tewkesbury

13th 2 hour lunch cruise on Glos. & Sharpness canal (bookable)

17th Tewkesbury day cruise 10am-5pm with lunch (bookable)

17th Tug & boat handling experience (bookable)

18th Fathers Day special lunch cruise to 'The Boat Inn'(bookable)

18th Fathers Day-free entry to the museum for fathers & special roast lunch (book in advance for lunch)

18th Steam day-boats,engines & cranes demonstrations

17th Disco party cruise on The Severn (bookable & includes buffet)

24th Blacksmiths course (bookable)

25th Saul Tea cruise

30th Disco party Cruise with supper

July

45 minute canal trips to Hempsted (various times) daily

1st & 2nd Saul Junction festival-boat trips, displays, exhibitions, theatre etc

6th Lunch cruise on the River Severn

7th Party disco cruise on The Severn (bookable & includes buffet)

8th Tug & boat handling experience (bookable)

8th Steam day-engines in operation

9th Saul afternoon tea cruise

11th Lunch cruise

15th/16th Heavy Horses at the museum-horse, demonstrations & family activities

16th All day cruise to Sharpness with lunch (bookable)

18th Sunset cruise with supper

21st Blues music cruise

26th Tea cruise

22nd-4th Sept. School summer holiday-themed activities & workshops

29th Blacksmiths course (bookable)

29th Historic diving display, exhibition & demonstrations

August

45 minute canal trips to Hempsted (various times) daily

10th Tea cruise

15th Sunset cruise with buffet (bookable)

18th Disco party cruise with buffet (bookable)

19th/20th Steam & mini engines weekend-display, demonstrations etc

19th All day cruise to Tewkesbury

September

45 minute canal trips to Hempsted (various times) daily

1st Disco Cruise (bookable)

2nd Jazz cruise

5th Lunch cruise

5th Sunset cruise

9th Steam day-engines in operation

9th Tug & boat handling experience (bookable)

10th All day trip to Sharpness (bookable)

15th Disco party cruise (bookable)

16th All day boat trip to Tewkesbury (bookable)

23rd Blacksmiths course (bookable)

30th All day boat trip to Tewkesbury (bookable)

October

45 minute canal trips to Hempsted (various times) daily

7th October Tug & boat handling experience (bookable)

8th All day trip to Sharpness (bookable)

22nd-1st Nov. School holiday-Witches & wizards themed workshops

November

25th/26th Victorian themed activities & workshop

Victorian supper evening (bookable)

25th Boaters crafts group-demonstrations & activities

December 2006

9th-24th Santa Grotto cruises (bookable)

1st-23rd Christmas party cruises