Families can enjoy festive boat trips, Santa’s grotto visits, Christmas crafts and even breakfast with Father Christmas at the National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port and Anderton Boat Lift near Northwich this December.
The Canal & River Trust is inviting families aboard special Santa-themed boat cruises at two of Cheshire’s most popular waterway attractions this Christmas.
The National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port and the historic Anderton Boat Lift near Northwich will be welcoming visitors for a programme of festive activities throughout December, including boat trips, Christmas songs, stories, crafts and opportunities for children to meet Father Christmas.
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Events will take place across the first three December weekends and in the run-up to Christmas, with different activities and booking dates at each attraction.
Festive boat trips and Santa’s grotto at Ellesmere Port
At the National Waterways Museum, families can enjoy a special 45-minute festive boat cruise along the Shropshire Union Canal.
The trips promise plenty of Christmas entertainment, including carols, games and stories, before children are invited into Santa’s magical grotto to share their Christmas wishes and choose a special present to take home.
The full festive boat trip and grotto experience costs £12.50, while children can visit Santa’s grotto without taking the boat trip for £8.50.
Tickets also include access to the National Waterways Museum, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2026.
Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the museum’s historic boats and decorated dock workers’ cottages, as well as enjoy its café and playground.
The festive boat trips, Santa’s Grotto Experience and treasure trail are advertised for 5, 6, 12, 13 and 19–24 December 2026.
Booking information is available from the Canal & River Trust:
Santa cruises at Anderton Boat Lift
At Anderton Boat Lift and Visitor Centre, near Northwich, families can enjoy Christmas songs and stories aboard the Edwin Clark trip boat as it cruises along the River Weaver towards Northwich.
The Canal & River Trust says there will be four boat trips a day as part of the festive programme.
Each family will have the opportunity to pose for photographs with Santa, while every child over 12 months old will receive a special gift to take home.
The advertised dates for the Santa cruises are 19, 20, 21, 23 and 24 December 2026.
During the week leading up to Christmas, the announced daytime boat trip departures are 11.30am, 1.30pm and 2.30pm, with a special 9.30am Breakfast Cruise also available.
Breakfast Cruise tickets cost £20 each.
For the cruise-only option, tickets cost £10 for adults and £15 for children.
Christmas crafts and wreath-making
The Anderton Boat Lift Visitor Centre will also host a range of bookable Christmas craft activities over the first three weekends in December.
These include festive wreath-making and card-making sessions, offering visitors another way to enjoy the seasonal atmosphere at the historic attraction.
Places for the Santa cruises and Christmas craft activities can be booked through the Canal & River Trust’s Anderton Boat Lift events page:
Making Christmas memories on the waterways
Jannette Warrener, Canal & River Trust national destinations and attractions manager, said:
“Christmas is a magical time across all our attractions, when the stories of our waterways heritage come to life in our historic museum and iconic boat lift. From period decorations and to much-loved family traditions, our brilliant teams of elves go all out to create unforgettable experiences in settings full of character and history. It’s the perfect way for families to start their Christmas celebrations and make memories they’ll treasure for years to come.”
How to book the Christmas events
National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port
- Dates: 5, 6, 12, 13 and 19–24 December 2026.
- Festive boat trip and Santa’s grotto: £12.50.
- Santa’s Grotto Experience only: £8.50 for children.
- Boat trip duration: 45 minutes.
- Museum admission is included with the experience tickets.
Book through the Canal & River Trust’s Festive Boat Trips & Santa’s Grotto Experience event page.
Anderton Boat Lift and Visitor Centre, near Northwich
- Santa cruise dates: 19, 20, 21, 23 and 24 December 2026.
- Announced daytime departures: 11.30am, 1.30pm and 2.30pm.
- Special Breakfast Cruise: 9.30am.
- Breakfast Cruise tickets: £20 each.
- Cruise-only tickets: £10 for adults and £15 for children.
- Christmas crafts and wreath-making: first three December weekends, with advance booking available.
Book through the Canal & River Trust’s Anderton Boat Lift events page.
Both attractions offer families the opportunity to celebrate Christmas while discovering more about Britain’s waterways heritage.
The Canal & River Trust is the charity responsible for caring for and bringing to life around 2,000 miles of canals and rivers across England and Wales.
