National Waterways Museum and the Cheshire Oaks Outlet Mall in Ellesmere Port

In Brief.

The town of Ellesmere Port came into being around a port that linked the canal network with the River Mersey, and thereby to Liverpool and the wider world. The resulting canal port featured basins, locks, warehouses and supporting facilities, now preserved as the National Waterways Museum.  The substantial site includes a wide variety of canal boats, either in the water or in an Exhibition Hall, and a collection of buildings that supported the port, including a Blacksmiths Forge and a display of engines in the Power Hall.

Locks connecting the lower and upper basins.

What's Here?

On arrival, visitors are given a map with a suggested route around the site. This involves visiting various of the support services, such as the still-active blacksmiths forge, before traversing the various waterways that host different canal boats. Some of these are quite unusual; for example, there is a concrete barge built during the 2nd world war when steel was scarce but there was plenty concrete!

There is then a large exhibition shed. The downstairs is full of canal-related artefacts, and is largely for the enthusiast, but the upstairs contains displays with more of an associated narrative. This gives some insight into the role, rise and fall of the canals in terms of their industrial significance, but there are also human interest stories. The boat pictured, Friendship, which could carry loads of up to 25 tons, was run by the same family, and indeed pulled by the same mule, for over 30 years.

A commercial canal boat, home and workplace

I visited the museum on a weekday in December, and one thing that wasn't here was many visitors; a number of volunteers were moving boats around or doing maintenance, but if you essentially want the place to yourself choose a similar time to visit!  

This was in marked contrast with the nearby Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet, a sprawling single level site featuring many small stores named after their brands. Not only was this busier, it generally seems to be thriving, with no empty units and many busy eateries as well as shops.  I had an unusual and quite pleasant sandwich at Joe and the Juice, and even managed to purchase something in one of the intimidatingly numerous shops. 

Cheshire Oaks

Practicalities.

Distance from Manchester Town Hall: 39 miles

Drive Time: 55 minutes.

Price: $$

Parking: Free onsite parking

Food and Drink: There is a cafe in the museum; I had a satisfactory coffee and toasted teacake.

Retail therapy: There is a shop in the museum with water and canal themed books, toys and souvenirs. Cheshire Oaks is an 8 minute drive away if you have psyched yourself up for some serious shopping.

Child Friendly: There is a play area for younger kids at the museum.

Toilets: Yes - in the visitor centre exhibition hall.

Do it justice in: Museum: 90 minutes; Cheshire Oaks: 30 minutes for a circuit + shopping time.

Inside-Outside: 60:40

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