national waterways museum

Discover the fascinating heritage of the nation’s waterways as canal charity hosts free behind-the-scenes open days

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Mark Lancaster

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September 10, 2026

Canal & River Trust, the charity that cares for 2,000 miles of waterways across England and Wales, is inviting people to step behind the scenes of the nation’s historic canals as part of this year’s Heritage Open Days, taking place during September. From exclusive tours of the Trust’s two working lock gate workshops to boat…
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National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port, celebrates 50th anniversary weekend with 1976 ticket prices!

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Web Editor

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June 2, 2026

The Canal & River Trust’s National Waterways Museum, in Ellesmere Port, will celebrate its 50th anniversary weekend on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 June by offering visitors entry to the historic boat museum at 1976 prices. For one weekend only, an adult day ticket will cost a mere £1.95 and a child/concession ticket only £1.50,…
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Trust salutes volunteers in North West for their exceptional contributions

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Web Editor

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February 21, 2026

The waterways – and canal volunteering – are for everyone. The Canal & River Trust celebrated this by honouring its volunteers in its annual awards scheme, supported by The Marsh Charitable Trust. In an ongoing series, we are featuring all the winners. THIS month we continue to shine the spotlight on the work of trust…
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VOLUNTEERING EXCELLENCE on nation’s canals

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Web Editor

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December 31, 2025

Volunteering has been one of the standout success stories of the Canal & River Trust since it was formed in 2012. Today, around 5,500 volunteers regularly give their time to support the charity’s work, contributing nearly three-quarters of a million volunteer hours in the past financial year alone. Reflecting both this growth and the increasing…
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RESTORATION: Grade II-listed pumphouse

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Web Editor

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September 24, 2025

The historically important pumphouse at the National Waterways Museum, in Ellesmere Port, is to be repaired and restored thanks to a grant from Historic England. The £252,282 award will enable the Canal & River Trust to renovate and conserve the structure and access bridge so they can be reopened to the public and enjoyed for…
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MASS OBE AWARD: Sort of…

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Web Editor

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September 7, 2024

WHILE some people are awarded an OBE by King Charles, a group of National Waterways Museum volunteers have been given an honorary title of their own – they are now members of the Octogenarian Boating Ensemble. The idea came when Jeff Fairweather turned 80 on New Year’s Eve last year and discovered that nearly 20…
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National Waterways Museum Gloucester

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Janet Richardson

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January 18, 2022

Nicola Lisle continues her series on waterways museums with a visit to Gloucester’s magnificent docklands museum. EVEN before you enter the Gloucester Waterways Museum you are in canal heaven as you wander around the Victorian docks and absorb the atmosphere and sense of history. The museum is housed in the Grade II listed Llanthony Warehouse…
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PULLING STRATFORD BACK TO THE MIDLANDS

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Mark Lancaster

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September 10, 2021

Once upon a time, a 22’ riveted iron maintenance boat lay abandoned and sunk at the bottom of the disused Stratford Canal. When the canal was restored, so was the boat, which was named “Stratford” and taken to the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port. A pre-pandemic review of their historic boats caused the museum…
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national waterways museum

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