The Archive Collection

The Waterways Archive holds the largest collection of inland waterways-related material anywhere in the United Kingdom, consisting of approximately 78,000 records.

The Waterways Archive collects, preserves and makes publicly available a diverse range of records relating to inland waterways including plans, drawings, minutes, accounts, photographs and engineering surveys. At its core are the archives of British Waterways and the early canal companies, which trace the history of Britain's inland waterways back to its very roots.

The Waterways Archive has an interest in all of Britain's inland waterways, whatever their ownership, and assists in the fields of archaeology, and historic building and vessel preservation. From minutes of meetings to Thomas Telford's drawings and plans, the Waterways Archives holds a range of historic and nationally important documents.

Details of the records contained within The Waterways Archive are now available on-line. The site brings together waterways records from around the UK to one virtual location. The on-line and actual archives are a valuable resource for formal and informal education at all levels. Lesson plans linked to the national curriculum can be found on the virtual waterways website to help introduce the archives to even younger audiences. These resources are also a valuable source of information for the restoration projects of the 'New Canal Age' and TV, press and publications frequently ask for material.

The Waterways Archive is located in Llanthony Warehouse, Gloucester, and the David Owen Waterways Archive can be found at The Boat Museum, Ellesmere Port.

To search the archives visit the Virtual Waterways website.

For more information on The Waterways Archive in Gloucester, including opening times click here.

For more information on the David Owen Waterways Archive at Ellesmere Port click here