National Waterways Museum: 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
For more information about National Waterways Museum, please contact , or see event details on the left.
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