Llanthony Warehouse, The Docks, Gloucester GL1 2EH
Description
Housed in the old Llanthony Warehouse in the heart of the bustling Gloucester Docks, the National Waterways Museum will take you on a journey, charting the 200-year history of the docks and the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal. Visit for galleries, family activities, cafe and boat trips (March-October).
Service options
On-site services
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Amenities
Restaurant
Toilets
Children
Good for kids
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Reviews
4
Excellent value but only for repeat visits. Great Cafe. Everything is well preserved and presented though there's no sense of continuity or narrative to everything as a whole. I also found the layout sightly confusing and, on my first visit, didn't realise there was an upstairs. The many exhibits keep the attention of adults whereas the hands on stuff is very much for kids. The museum is fairly small so try and visit in half term to avoid school groups. The entrance fee is expensive for a single visit but includes repeat visits for a year. If the visit is a 'one off' then get your money's worth by buttonholing a volunteer to explain things. They know a lot that more than is on the display cards. All the staff are a great bunch and willing to help and offer information. The cafe serves reasonably priced food and drinks. The tea is good and cakes taste homemade (in a good way). If it's not too sunny or crowded, sit in the area by the big window. There's a small car park nearby (Southgate Moorings - Gloucester Docks), just off the main road, which fills quickly every day. The Quays shopping centre (5 minutes walk away) has a large multi storey attached to it.
4
This interesting museum covers the history of the waterways around Gloucester.
2
The cost is very high for what is there, PS10 each for a day pass (you can pay more for a year pass). Looks massive from outside but not all the building is for the museum. It's on 3 floors but 2nd floor was roped off and closed. We were not told this on entry nor was there a reduction in price for this as other attractions we have visited do. Not a lot to see, got around in about 20 minutes. Only one single unisex toilet with a big queue. We have been in better attractions in other towns where entry is free.
5
Great day out and good value even in this time of watching every penny. The Boat trip was wonderful and well informed regarding its history as a Little Ship at Dunkirk. Good place for children and pets. Although anyone with a wheelchair might be an issue getting on board the boat. A new exhibition of the civilian Captain of the boat has just been put on display and the family was visiting the day we attended.
3
I hoped for more, considering that the museum has 2 stars (out of 3) in the Michelin Green Guide. The Severn cruise isn't nothing special either. The museum itself provides the basic info (well explained) for you to understand the english canals.
4
Very informative museum, lots to see regarding canals and waterways, good history of waterways in and around Gloucester. The surrounding area around museum, the rejuvanation of the docks is fantastic, the old warehouses may have been altered from their original purpose but are still emblazoned with their original warehouse names, lots to see and do.