Gloucester Waterways Museum

Gloucester & Sharpness Canal

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Visit the Gloucester Waterways Museum, housed in a splendid Victorian warehouse at the historic Gloucester Docks. This amazing museum gives children a taste of what it was like to live and work on the waterways

The museum has many fascinating ‘hands-on’ displays covering a whole range of waterway related topics. The historic collection, in the basin outside the museum, includes a number of working boats and barges.

What is there to do?

• Gloucester Waterways Museum
• Docks and Warehouses
• Historic boats and sometimes sailing ships
• Boat trips

Want to know more?

The widest and deepest canal in the country! The Gloucester & Sharpness Canal has it all. Historic docks, working port, industry, wildlife and attractive villages. An ideal corridor through which to explore the Gloucester countryside on foot, by boat or bike. Discover the interesting places, people, wildlife, ships and cargoes on the first ship canal in the country. Check out the Gloucester Waterways Museum Gloucester website to find out more about this fantastic location.

Museum website For opening times, prices, directions and more information on group visits.

Families

Come and visit WATER LIVES at the new look museum and discover what it would have been like to live and work on Britain's inland waterways. Discover the wildlife that can be found along our waterways in the new Ecology Gallery. Explore how canals were built and how locks work in the Move it gallery.

The new museum guide, Waterway Will, will guide you though the museum drawing your attention to fascinating facts and unusual stories.

Lots of interactive exhibits and displays to keep all the family entertained. Check out the museum website for summer events and activities programme.

What about schools and groups?

The Gloucester Waterways Museum brings the story of the waterways to life for schools and students of all ages. Our education programmes link with English, Maths, Science, Technology, the Arts and, of course History. To help you get the most from your visit, schools and teachers can use the services of the Gloucester Waterways Museum’s Education Department.

School programmes

Our courses can be tailored to meet your requirements and we are happy to welcome groups who have planned their own activities.

When planning a visit, we appreciate that site knowledge and awareness is essential and are therefore happy to offer you a free planning visit. During this visit you will be able to tour the site and view the resources available for your students.

Workshops

We offer a range of workshops giving your students hands-on experience of: + boat related crafts such as rag-rugging, ‘Roses & Castles’ (art of the boatman) and rope making + role-play using replica costume as worn by people living and working on canal boats in the late 19th century Workshop sessions are combined with a visit to the museum galleries and historic boats. Resources, including worksheets, can be provided if required. Boat trips – prior booking only Short cruises along the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal on board Queen Boadicea II can provide a highlight to your school’s visit to the museum.

During the boat trip our experienced skippers provide a historical commentary of the canal and information on how the waterway is used today.

QB has, herself, an important place in our history. She was one of the ‘little ships’ of Dunkirk whose services were used in May 1940 during ‘Operation Dynamo’ when she took part in the evacuation of troops from the beaches of Dunkirk.

Further information To discuss your visit and learning requirements please either email or call 01452 318228

Museum Opening hours

April – October: 10am – 5pm daily November - March: 11am – 4pm Saturday & Sunday only Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day

Please speak to museum staff for school charges and bookings.