Gloucester Waterways Museum

Museum in Gloucester

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Rodw

The Gloucester Waterways Museum is one of the top attractions in Gloucester, offering a fascinating and family-friendly look at the 200-year history of the docks and the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal. Housed in the impressive Grade II listed Llanthony Warehouse, this engaging museum brings Britain's canal heritage to life with historic boats, interactive displays, and working machinery that once powered the docks. It is one of the best places to visit in Gloucester for all ages, especially those who enjoy industrial heritage or life along the waterways.

It is often visited on walking tours of Gloucester, thanks to its prime location in the heart of the historic docks. With galleries, hands-on exhibits, and outdoor displays, the museum offers an immersive way to explore how canals shaped Gloucester's role as Britain's most inland port.

History and Significance of Gloucester Waterways Museum
Things to See and Do in Gloucester Waterways Museum
How to Get to Gloucester Waterways Museum
Practical Tips on Visiting Gloucester Waterways Museum
Where to Stay close to Gloucester Waterways Museum
Is Gloucester Waterways Museum Worth Visiting?
FAQs for Visiting Gloucester Waterways Museum
Nearby Attractions to Gloucester Waterways Museum

History and Significance of Gloucester Waterways Museum

The museum opened in 1988 as part of the National Waterways Museum network operated by the Waterways Trust. After extensive refurbishments between 2007 and 2008, new galleries and interactive elements were added to expand its storytelling. In 2010, the institution was renamed the Gloucester Waterways Museum to focus specifically on local heritage, allowing access to different types of cultural funding.

Its home, Llanthony Warehouse, was built in 1873 for Wait, James & Co., a local corn merchant. Designed by architect Capel N. Tripp, this six-storey red-brick warehouse was used to store timber, grain, and alcohol. Listed in 1971, it remains a cornerstone of the docks’ architectural character and provides a fitting industrial backdrop for the museum’s displays.

Things to See and Do in Gloucester Waterways Museum

The museum features a diverse and atmospheric collection of boats, including narrowboats, river barges, tugs, and even a steam-powered dredger. Visitors can explore exhibits that illustrate life on the waterways, the engineering of Britain's canal network, and the daily work that kept Gloucester Docks running.

A highlight is the recreated canal repair yard, complete with a working machine shop, forge, weighbridge, steam crane, and heavy oil engine. These displays show how vessels were built, repaired, and maintained.

Families particularly enjoy the interactive exhibits, including a working model canal with functioning locks, touchscreens, and hands-on educational activities. Contemporary film clips and immersive storytelling help bring 200 years of canal history to life.

How to Get to Gloucester Waterways Museum

Gloucester has excellent rail connections, with direct trains from London Paddington, Bristol, Cardiff, Cheltenham, Birmingham, and Worcester. Gloucester Station is just a short walk from the docks and the museum. Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio.

International travellers usually arrive through Bristol Airport, then travel by rail or coach to Gloucester via Bristol Temple Meads. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Gloucester on Booking.com.

For those driving, the museum is easily reached via the M5 and A40. Several large car parks serve Gloucester Quays and the docks area, providing convenient access to the museum.

Practical Tips on Visiting Gloucester Waterways Museum

Suggested tips: Don’t miss the outdoor machinery displays; they complement the indoor galleries beautifully.
Best time to visit: Weekdays or mornings for a quieter visit.
Entrance fee in Euros: Typically €8-€12 for adults; concessions available.
Opening hours: Usually open daily; check seasonal variations.
Official website: Visit the Gloucester Waterways Museum page via the Canal & River Trust.
How long to spend: 1-1.5 hours.
Accessibility: The museum is fully accessible, with lifts and clear pathways.
Facilities: Gift shop, café, restrooms, and outdoor seating.
Photography tip: Capture the boats moored alongside the red-brick warehouse for classic dockside imagery.
Guided tours: Occasional guided tours available; enquire at reception.
Nearby food options: Numerous cafés and restaurants at Gloucester Quays and the docks.

Where to Stay close to Gloucester Waterways Museum

For modern, convenient accommodation near the docks, Premier Inn Gloucester City Centre is an ideal choice. For boutique charm with easy access to both the museum and Gloucester Cathedral, try The Locking Castle Hotel. A historic alternative nearby is The New Inn.

Is Gloucester Waterways Museum Worth Visiting?

Yes. Gloucester Waterways Museum is one of the must-see places in Gloucester, offering an engaging mix of history, engineering, heritage boats, and hands-on displays. Its family-friendly atmosphere and impressive dockside setting make it a rewarding stop for visitors of all ages.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.6 (784)

Gloucester Docks, on The Docks in Gloucester, is a rejuvenated, family-friendly waterfront area with repurposed warehouses, covered shopping centres, museums (including a welcoming docks museum), a mix of eateries from casual to fine dining, pubs and cafés, and occasional artisan markets and festivals; visitors praise pleasant canal-side walks, varied moored and visiting boats, convenient shops and cruise/long-term mooring options, informative onsite panels about the area's industrial past, and generally tidy, well-maintained surroundings ideal for a few hours' exploring.

Bill Robson

a month ago

"Gloucester Docks, the most inland docks in England. The powers that be did a good 👍 job of renovating the area which now has an eclectic mixture ofshops, activities, and eateries. From a branch of 'Spoons to fine dining (sorry, 'Spoons!), the area is capable of feeding the five thousand in a way that the bloke in the bible didn't. We have museums for those who feel the need to be educated. Shops are contained within covered centres thus avoiding the need for umbrellas 🌂 ☂️ when the weather can be described as inclement. There is also an occasional outdoor market which offers, amongst other things, a wide range of munchables from around the world. The old warehouses have been repurposed, one, for instance, houses a collection of purveyors of antiques. The area also is an ideal place to explore, walks along the canal banks to looking at all ma er of water craft docked in the area. Well worth a visit for a grand day out...."

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Bill Richman

6 months ago

"We moored in the area for a week or so, and used the water and elsan facilities a couple of times. Very pleasant surroundings, and lots of places towalk and things to see. Many different types of boats to see, both moored and moving. Convenient restaurants and shops, a grocery store, and a bus stop within a short walk from the free moorings. There are also cruises you can book and long-term moorings in the area. It was a nice place to spend some time...."

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Bharat Dhiman

6 months ago

"Gloucester Docks and Quays is a lively, scenic, and family‑friendly destination for weekend shopping and strolling. With its monthly artisan market,seasonal festivals, high‑street bargains, riverside charm, eateries, and historic sites, it’s the kind of place where you can spend couple of hours happily browsing, tasting, and soaking in the atmosphere. Recommended for a fun city‑centre excursion!..."

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FAQs for Visiting Gloucester Waterways Museum

Yes, with many hands-on and interactive exhibits.

Some boats can be boarded, while others are viewed from the dockside.

Yes, both indoors and outdoors.

Around 1-1.5 hours.

Yes, with lifts and flat walkways.

Yes, the museum has a well-stocked gift shop.

Yes, around a 10-15 minute walk from Gloucester Station.

Yes, on-site facilities include a small café area.

Generally yes, though hours vary seasonally.

Yes, the docks, Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum, and Gloucester Quays are all nearby.

Nearby Attractions to Gloucester Waterways Museum

Gloucester Historic Docks: Victorian warehouses, boats, and lively waterfront scenery.
Gloucester Cathedral: A magnificent medieval cathedral with famous cloisters.
Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum: Three centuries of regimental history.
Museum of Gloucester: Archaeology and fine art in a Victorian building.
Robinswood Hill Country Park: Woodland trails and views over the Severn Vale.

The Gloucester Waterways Museum appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Gloucester!

Moira & Andy

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