Housed in the historic Llanthony Warehouse in the heart of Gloucester Docks, the Gloucester Waterways Museum offers interactive exhibits and showcases historic boats. Discover the rich history of Britain’s inland waterways and explore unique insights into the communities that flourished around the Gloucester and Sharpness Canals.
The Gloucester Waterways Museum was originally opened in 1988. It was formerly known as the National Waterways Museum, and its main focus is to preserve and display the history of canals in Britain.
Lots of things to do at Gloucester Waterways Museum
The museum is situated in the Llanthony Warehouse, a Grade II listed building that was built in 1873. Designed by Capel N Tripp for local corn merchants, Wait, James & Co., the six-storey red brick warehouse was initially used for storing timber, grain, and alcohol.
The Gloucester Waterways Museum offers visitors a variety of interactive exhibits and hands-on displays that cater to all ages. Some of the most popular exhibits include:
Visitors can witness a canal in action through a meticulously designed model that showcases a portion of the canal equipped with working locks. This hands-on display provides an entertaining and informative learning opportunity for people of all ages.
The museum boasts an impressive collection of boats, including narrowboats, river barges, canal and river tugs, and a steam-powered dredger. Visitors can climb aboard these historic vessels and learn about their unique stories and their important roles in developing Britain’s waterways.
The museum also features a steam crane and a heavy oil engine in the setting of a canal repair yard. Complete with a working machine shop, forge, and weighbridge, this exhibit provides a glimpse into the industrial past of Britain’s waterways.
Visitors can explore galleries filled with canal heritage and stories and watch archive films showcasing the history and development of Britain’s inland waterways.
Boat Trips and Boat Hire The Gloucester Waterways Museum offers 45-minute boat trips along the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal aboard Queen Boadicea II, a Dunkirk Little Ship. These boat trips give visitors the opportunity to see the beauty and history of the canal first-hand. Boats are also available for hire, allowing visitors to explore the waterways at their own pace.
The museum features a cafe that offers a selection of tasty treats and refreshing beverages. Visitors can also relax on the picnic benches, funded by the Friends of the National Waterways Museum, located outside the cafe. The cafe and gift shop are free to visit all year round.
The Gloucester Waterways Museum welcomes well-behaved dogs both inside the museum and on board the trip boat. The cafe even sells vanilla dog ice cream, ensuring that canine visitors are treated just as well as their human counterparts!
Gloucester Waterways museum at the heart of the fine Victorian Gloucester Docks
The museum is committed to providing a welcoming and accessible environment for all visitors. Facilities for disabled visitors include:
The Gloucester Waterways Museum regularly hosts family activities during school holidays, talks for enthusiasts, craft demonstrations, and seasonal cruise specials. Follow the museum on Facebook and Instagram for regular updates on upcoming events and activities.
The Gloucester Waterways Museum has been awarded the Certificate of Excellence by Trip Advisor for 2013 and 2014. With its rich history, interactive exhibits, and picturesque surroundings, the museum offers an unparalleled experience for those seeking to explore Britain’s inland waterways. Remember, your ticket allows you to return as many times as you like within 12 months, ensuring that you can fully immerse yourself in the fascinating world of the Gloucester Waterways Museum.
The Gloucester Waterways Museum is one of several museums run by the Canal & River Trust. Other museums in the network include The National Waterways Museum, based at Ellesmere Port, and The Canal Museum in Stoke Bruerne, Northamptonshire. Together, these museums offer visitors a thorough understanding of the fascinating history of the United Kingdom’s waterways.
Booked a private boat trip, tea & cake to celebrate wedding anniversary. The afternoon was thoroughly enjoyed by all 34 attendees. Really friendly, helpful staff & delicious cake. Would definitely recommend.
This interesting museum covers the history of the waterways around Gloucester.
Excellent value but only for repeat visits. Great Café.
Everything is well preserved and presented though there’s no sense of continuity or narrative to everything as a whole. I also found the layout sightly confusing and, on my first visit, didn’t realise there was an upstairs.
The many exhibits keep the attention of adults whereas the hands on stuff is very much for kids. The museum is fairly small so try and visit in half term to avoid school groups.
The entrance fee is expensive for a single visit but includes repeat visits for a year. If the visit is a ‘one off’ then get your money’s worth by buttonholing a volunteer to explain things. They know a lot that more than is on the display cards.
All the staff are a great bunch and willing to help and offer information.
The café serves reasonably priced food and drinks. The tea is good and cakes taste homemade (in a good way). If it’s not too sunny or crowded, sit in the area by the big window.
There’s a small car park nearby (Southgate Moorings – Gloucester Docks), just off the main road, which fills quickly every day. The Quays shopping centre (5 minutes walk away) has a large multi storey attached to it.
Excellent value but only for repeat visits. Great Café.
Everything is well preserved and presented though there’s no sense of continuity or narrative to everything as a whole. I also found the layout sightly confusing and, on first visit, didn’t realise there was an upstairs.
The many exhibits keep the attention of adults whereas the hands on stuff is very much for kids. The museum is fairly small so try and visit in half term to avoid school groups.
The entrance fee is expensive for a single visit but includes repeat visits for a year. If the visit is a ‘one off’ then get your money’s worth by buttonholing a volunteer to explain things. They know a lot that more than is on the display cards.
All the staff are a great bunch and willing to help and offer information.
The café serves reasonably priced food and drinks. The tea is good and cakes taste homemade (in a good way). If it’s not too sunny or crowded, sit in the area by the big window.
There’s a small car park nearby (Southgate Moorings – Gloucester Docks), just off the main road, which fills quickly every day. The Quays shopping centre (5 minutes walk away) has a large multi story attached to it.
Engaging displays in a beautiful building with friendly staff. I enjoyed the video recollections of canal workers. The museum caters well for children, with plenty of things to do. The cafe and children’s play area are particularly nice extra features.
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