National Waterways Museum, Gloucester Docks

This award-winning museum at Gloucester Docks is a treasure-trove of boats, artefacts, and engaging interactive displays about the history of Britain's waterways.

The National Waterways Museum details the astonishing growth, decline and rebirth of Britain's navigations. Its historic boat collection includes narrowboats, river barges, canal and river tugs, as well as a steam-powered dredger.

In the restored canal repair yard there is a steam crane and working machine shop, forge and weighbridge. You can watch blacksmiths at work, and even sign up for a course yourself.

There is a cafe and gift shop, and the museum also operates 45-minute daily boat trips on the beautiful former Thames passenger boat Queen Boadicea II.

The museum is housed in the Llanthony Warehouse, just one of the 14 listed warehouse buildings on the Gloucester Docks conservation site. Elsewhere you will find a good choice of restaurants, bars and other attractions. Parking is plentiful and the museum is well signposted from around Gloucester (follow brown signs to 'Historic Docks').

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