Schools and Groups

For groups of all ages a visit to Gloucester Waterways Museum is full of interest and enjoyment as well as learning.

School visits

We give children an authentic and lively experience of waterways heritage that really brings history to life for them. Our museum galleries have many hands-on displays which children love and there are historic boats to visit on the docks outside.

To support your visit we offer;

• worksheets and other resources
  
• free planning visit
• choice of activities
• boat trip with historical commentary

2011 school programmes

• Roses and Castles

KS1/KS2, exploring the decorative art of the waterways

• Engineering a Canal

KS1/KS2, discovering how canals were built

• Waterway Transport and Trade

KS1/KS2, examining the transportation of goods and materials

• Bridges

KS3/KS3, a design and build activity - discover the principals of bridge building with the opportunity to create your own working model

• Gloucester Docks and the Sharpness Canal

KS2/KS3, a look at the way that the docks helped the City of Gloucester to grow and develop

• Waterway Wildlife

KS2/KS3, an introduction to the waterway ecosystem


Boat trips
You can also book boat trips with commentaries about the history of the docks, the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal, and the River Severn. (Our tour boat, Queen Boudica II, was one of the ‘little ships’ of Dunkirk and in May 1940 helped evacuate troops from the beaches of Dunkirk.)

Information and bookings
Click here to download a copy of our Schools Booking Form.
Call 01452 318200 or email us gloucester@thewaterwaystrust.org.uk

Wild over Waterways

This website has topic packs, fact files, activities and trails to make learning about canals and rivers easy and fun. It is targeted at children aged 7 to 11 and includes some great materials on Gloucester Docks.

Group visits

Gloucester Waterways Museum offers a complete day out with a range of interesting and enjoyable things to do that you and your group will be talking about for years to come.

A typical visit might comprise;

• museum visit including half hour archive film about the ship canal
  
• buffet or sit down lunch at Coots Café Bar (private room caters for up to sixty people)
  
• boat trip on the Gloucester and Sharpness Ship Canal (including morning coffee and afternoon tea options*)
  
• time to explore Gloucester Docks and the new designer outlet shopping centre.

*The tour boat King Arthur has a full catering facility and also offers sit-down or buffet lunches and evening meals.

Group visits must be made in advance and we offer generous discounts for groups of ten or more on museum entry and boat trips.

Click here for a copy of our group booking form.
Call 01452 318200 or email us gloucester@thewaterwaystrust.org.uk for more information.