The museum is on two floors and there is a wharf outside where you can view our tug Bantam IV and look at the attractive canal basin after reading about its history. We are open Tuesdays to Sundays and on bank holiday Mondays and we are open all year, with just a short closure at Christmas. It is a building with a great deal of character and interest, and our exhibitions tell two linked stories, the stories of London's canals, and of the ice trade for which the building was built. We are one of the most accessible museums in London. You do not need to book in advance to visit.
Come and see
Most visitors take between one and two hours to visit. There is plenty to see. The exhibitions cover the following themes:
- Background to canals in England
- Life on the canals
- Canal painting and decorative pottery
- Lifting and handling
- Carlo Gatti, the Ice Trade, and Ice Cream
- Tractor Power
- Horse Power
- Water and Locks
- London's Living Waterways (including archive film)
- Boats and Cargoes
- London Waterways Map
Get afloat
We offer a programme of boat trips from the museum to make your visit really special. See Boat Trips Page
Above: The narrowboat Coronis is brightly painted in traditional style
Opening Hours
We are open from 1000-1630 Tuesdays to Sundays, and also on bank holiday Mondays.
There is a small Admission charge
Make the most of your visit
Listen to our pre-visit audio guide.
Download our free audio tour to use during your time in the museum. It adds to your visit, it does not duplicate the exhibitions. Listen on your 'phone or MP3 player.
Discover more about the museum by joining one of our social media platforms and liking us, following us, etc: Facebook - Twitter - Yelp Foursquare
Consider adding a towpath walk to your visit. It takes about an hour to walk and explore from Camden Town to the museum. There is a free audio walking guide to the route and you can also explore with the help of our mobile web-walk on your smartphone. Both these guides start from Camden and guide you to the museum. A printed guide leading in the opposite direction is sold in the museum shop.
Check your travel information and how to find us if you're not sure.
Bring your camera. You are welcome to take photographs during your visit. Please do not take close-up pictures of children who are not in your party, to avoid possible offense to others.
When you visit, check in on Facebook, Yelp, Google Maps,Foursquare
After your visit, have a browse in the museum shop
Take pictures and share online with your friends
Information
In this visitor information section you will find everything you need to know about visiting the museum from Accessibility to Wi-Fi. Use the pull-down menus above to see a range of useful practical information such as times, charges, travel and mooring your boat if you come to us by water. We could hardly be easier to get to with no fewer than five stations within walking distance, and a large number of bus routes. There are six Underground lines serving King's Cross. You can also enjoy a diffeent view of London by walking to us along the towpath of The Regent's Canal from Camden or Paddington.
Refreshments
Canned cold drinks and ice creams are sold in the museum shop.Museum staff are generally able to give directions to nearby cafes and restaurants, of which there are plenty.
Above: The Boats and Cargoes exhibition
Toilets
Lavatories are available on both floors. There are separate ladies' and gents' facilities on the first floor and a gender-neutral toilet designed to be accessible to disabled visitors, but available to all, on the ground floor.
