The historic steam narrowboat President billowing white steam at a canal festival, with a boatman in period waistcoat and flat cap leaning on the cabin and the butty Kildare moored alongside.
Photo: steve_w · CC BY 2.0
Canal & Waterway Events

Easter Historic Boat Gathering at the National Waterways Museum

📅 Date TBC · usually March📍 National Waterways Museum, South Pier Road, CheshireCH65 4FW

Around 40 historic narrowboats and barges gather at the National Waterways Museum each Easter, arriving in a flotilla along the Shropshire Union Canal on Good Friday morning. Dates for 2027 have not yet been announced, but the annual gathering runs over the Easter weekend, which falls on 26 to 29 March in 2027.

What’s on

  • Flotilla of historic boats on Good Friday
  • Around 40 historic narrowboats and barges
  • Boat painting and traditional craft demonstrations
  • Seven-acre historic dock complex

The next date has not been confirmed by the organiser yet. This event usually runs in March. We check weekly and will publish the date as soon as it is announced.