London Canal Museum

DO NOT MOOR HERE. We came here on their free anniversary museum day to moor overnight. What should have been a magical time for us ended with me fuming and in tears.

We are long time narrowboat enthusiasts and first time narrowboat drivers and were very excited to see the museum on their 30th anniversary day for our first time, but were greeted by staff that treated us terribly and all had conflicting information regarding mooring times and protocols.

We ended up missing out on seeing the museum entirely despite arriving promptly at 4pm. After mooring up (not an easy task in their space for first time boaters) we were shouted at by the driver of a narrowboat they hired for boat tours on the day to move our boat so he could unload passengers (after being told he would double up with us by four other members of staff).

When we went inside after mooring up for the second time and when we asked staff if we could just buy a postcard they said we couldn't because of the staff soiree they were having that evening. It was after closing time at this point but only by a few minutes.

I want to note that up until this moment, every single staff member we spoke to about mooring from the moment we arrived all had conflicting information and didn't seem to know what was going on.

When we asked for the code for the water and gate (per the booking email) a random member of staff shouted at us (who we hadn't spoken to before) "WHY DO YOU NEED THAT?" We explained for what felt like the 8th time that we paid for mooring and needed the information per the email which said to ask for the codes on the day. He reluctantly told us and we asked for the gate code he then shouted again asking why we would need that information ("to go buy groceries" was our response) and he reluctantly gave us the other code.

As we were walking back to our boat feeling incredibly unwelcome a young member of staff (the first person we spoke to) apologized for the confusion and told us to come back to visit the museum in the morning before we left the mooring spot and that we'd have no issues.

I wish that was the case. The soiree they had lasted until about midnight and the side of our boat seemed to be the smoking section with people talking loudly and smoking all night by our boat.

In the morning when we attempted to visit the museum, we were told we'd have to pay. After explaining to the member of staff (who also spoke to us the day before) that it was the staff's fault that we missed our opportunity to see the museum on the free day and we were told we would have no issues, he just looked at us confused and said "ahh yes but today is today and today the museum isn't free".

All I could say is "well shame we won't get to see the museum after all". I still bought my postcards (begrudgingly, but they are one of the only places I've found to buy postcards with narrowboats on them to send back to family abroad) but left incredibly disappointed.

The only upside was that a friendly cat came up to us to say hello before we left the mooring spot.

Great museum for learning London canal knowledges. Entry ticket costs £5. Seven minutes walking distance to London King’s cross station.

Visited the museum today. A great and detailed insight into the London canal system from its origins, and then right through the ages and how the canals progressed industrially, as well as logistically. Perfect for families and children. The exhibits are well explained with a lot of accompanying literature also.
The outside moored barges are being lived on today, and you may even see someone having a cup of tea on the aft end, or working on a computer in the cabin. A nice look back into history and view some great canal barges outside.
£6 entry fee for adults. Not a national lottery run museum!

We did a lovely canal tour through Islington tunnel with Tony - really interesting and enjoyable being on the water. The museum is well curated and staff are very friendly and welcoming. Definitely will go back!

I went to this museum for the first time recently despite living nearby for years, and wish I had gone sooner. It walks through the history of canals in London and how they've evolved over time. The explanations are well written and I found it interesting as an adult, but we also had brought my niece (7 years old) and she enjoyed it as well and was able to understand the displays so I'd say it's good for families. The entry price is very reasonable.

The building which now houses this museum was previously an ice house, storing tones of ice imported from Norway and brought along the canal to be stored in giant ice wells. You can see one of these on the ground floor of the museum. The first floor would have previously been used as stables for the horses who were used to transport the ice around London, the ramp for the horses is still here.
The museum itself is very interesting and covers all aspects of the canals. How they were made, the Network of canals around the country linking the rivers, life for those working the canals & barges, and the story of the decline of the canals as a commercial enterprise before being reborn and restored for leisure activities.
Some great early 20th Century black & white film playing on the first floor showing what life was like on the canals.

We visited on new years day, Elspeth was very kind and went out of her way to inform us of various things. A lovely personal touch. Also mentioning in the summer, about the canal trips from the museum which sounds fantastic. We will definitely come back in the warmer summer months to give that a try. The museum itself has allot of very useful items and information, highly recommended.

Insightful little museum for those interested in learning the history of the UK's waterways. The Islington Tunnel trip is well worth booking for a journey through a 200 year old tunnel beneath Angel.