Description
The National Waterways Museum Gloucester is a fascinating maritime attraction located in the heart of the historic Gloucester Docks. It is widely considered one of the best things to do with kids in Gloucester, offering a specialized look into the UK's canal history through interactive exhibits and a massive collection of historic boats. Housed in the impressive six-story Victorian Llanthony Warehouse, this indoor museum provides an educational day out where children can discover how the waterways fueled Britain's industrial past.
Prices start from £6.00 for a child's day ticket and £10.00 for adults. For families planning to visit more than once, annual passes are available starting from £37.00 for two adults and two children, offering unlimited entry for a full year. Children aged four and under can enter the museum for free.
If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that combines history with hands-on play, this museum is a top choice. It features modern interactive techniques, allowing kids to dress up in period costumes and even operate working models of canal locks to see how water levels change.
Features
- Paid
- Host birthday parties: No
Features
What makes the National Waterways Museum Gloucester unique? This museum stands out as a guardian of Britain's industrial heritage, located right where the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal meets the River Severn.
- World-Class Collection: It holds 90% of the UK’s inland waterways collections, including around 15,000 objects and over 50 historic boats.
- Victorian Setting: The museum is set within a Grade II listed warehouse built in 1873, which was originally used to store timber, grain, and alcohol.
- Hands-on Engineering: It features a model section of a canal with working locks where children can physically manipulate the flow of water.
Top Highlights for Families
- Interactive Lock Models: One of the biggest draws for kids is the interactive gallery where they can operate small-scale canal locks. It is a great way for them to understand the mechanical genius behind the waterways while having a splash of fun.
- Period Costume Dress-Up: In the "Waterway Lives" section, younger visitors can dress up in period costumes. This helps them step into the shoes of "waterway children" from a century ago, making the social history exhibits feel much more personal.
- The Heritage Boatyard: This area is a recreation of a canal repair yard, complete with a working machine shop, forge, and a steam crane. Kids can see how heavy boats were maneuvered and repaired using traditional tools and engines.
0.29 miles
