Easter Historic Boat Gathering

Our Easter Historic Boat Gathering is a four-day family festival when a fleet of colourful narrowboats and barges takes centre stage across the site.

Enjoy family fun and live entertainment at this year’s 50th anniversary Easter Historic Boat Gathering. Welcome a stunning fleet of historic narrowboats and barges as they take centre stage across the museum site, bringing the locks and docks to life throughout the bank holiday weekend.

On Good Friday between 11am & 2pm, crowds gather outside the museum’s Waterside Café to watch the spectacle of more than 40 historic narrowboats arriving. The procession is followed by the mare ‘Flower’, pulling GIFFORD, accompanied by her owners wearing traditional canal costume, creating a fitting start to the weekend ahead.

There’s so much to see and do all weekend from boat trips, horse boating, harnessing and lock demonstrations, to live music, workshops, traditional crafts, stalls and activities.

All activities are included in your museum annual pass or day ticket unless otherwise stated. Book your tickets online to enjoy a 10% discount:

Day Tickets

Annual Pass