National Waterways Museum

An interesting historical day out with a good walk alongside the canal which is ideal for walking the dog, and look out for the swans on the far bank. There is also a pleasant cafe where you can sit inside or out, as well as a gift shop.

I visited over the Easter Period and have to say it is very good and better than I remember it from years ago. Lots going on and they had boat trips and a lot of the engines running and a sea shanty festival. And a bar with local real ales on! Really nice atmosphere. Some of this may not be on at other times I suppose but there is plenty to see and do. The café looked very modern and prices seemed reasonable.

The great thing about a place like this is you won’t come across most of this stuff anywhere else. I was amazed what a critical part it played as a transport hub in previous centuries. You would not know it from driving round the town believe me!

Reasonable prices and if you Gift Aid you can go back as many times as you like within 12 months. I think it would make a good day out for most families, except perhaps older kids.
Drop them off at the Cheshire Oaks shops! Enjoy.

We had great Easter weekend at the Boat at the Museum when it was combined with a sea shanty festival and many visiting boats. The museum was very good with many activities. Easter is a great time to visi.

This is now the National Waterways Museum and whilst it is probably true that in 2009 a lot of things needed to be improved, since then a lot of work has been taking place and the museum is making big strides. There is now a heritage boatyard project that is working on boat maintenance and restoration. Volunteer recruitment has meant that there are now more people to help keep the site in good order. Worth going back to.

Having recently visited the Boat Museum at Ellesmere Port with a friend, I can certainly report that the various levels of advertising about the Museum are utterly false, which I have formally written to complain about. Importantly the Museum falsely advertises what a great place to visit, and continues to utilise a lot of extreme artistic licence in photos and text to promote the Museum. The 21st Century displays are mostly out of order. There were no volunteers in period costumes as promoted. On exhibit (the Stables) is empty and pointless. Other exhibits like the steam engines weren’t working, with signs saying out of order. The Archive Centre was completely closed to the public. There are only few boats to be seen, and these are very rusty, dilapidated old barges that are water logged, mostly filled with debris and green slime.

The entire Museum is beyond a disappointment, it is the worst place to visit. The site is badly maintained, as a matter of management choice, which they intend not to correct. The Museum site is seven acres, and charges an incredulous £5.50 per adult to visit. Save your money and visit a meaningful, clean, well maintained museum like many of the free Council run City museums. To make a direct comparison, the Boat Museum is half the price of somewhere like, the Black Country Museum, yet at four times smaller, it is a total rip off and not worth visiting at all.

The boat museum in ellesmere port is one of the most forgoten atactions in the area. I took my little girl on the santa christmas boat ride last december. She had a great time and this is a very diferent way for the kids to meet father christmas. The prices were very reasonable and this included a photo of the child on santas lap. When we got there we were taken indoors to have a cup of tea or coffee and a soft drink for the kids to have. Then on to the boat it was lovely and the children had crafts to play with incase of boardom. I would recomend this to everyone and i will be doing it again this year.