Little Leigh Steam Party National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port – Acton Bridge, Cheshire Sat 3rd October 2026 | 10:00 – 14:30
Little Leigh Steam Party
National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port – Acton Bridge, Cheshire
Saturday 3rd October 2026 | 10:00 – 14:30 then 1.5 hours to look around the Steam Party
This four-and-a-half cruise that starts in the historic setting of The National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port. Ellesmere Port was founded in 1795 with the completion of the Ellesmere Canal, linking the River Mersey to the national canal network. Originally known as Whitby Wharf, it grew around docks designed by William Jessop and Thomas Telford, before becoming a major industrial centre following the opening of the Manchester Ship Canal in 1894. After a short cruise on The Manchester Ship Canal, we exit into Marsh Lock and join the Weaver Navigation. Sailing through some of Cheshire’s most stunning countryside to our destination, above Dutton Locks – Acton Bridge, where we will arrive amongst many historic vessels who, like us, have travelled to Acton Bridge and the Leigh Arms pub to attend the Little Leigh end-of-season Steam Party. This event was started in the 1970’s by the late Peter Froud, and was a regular and popular venue for steam traction engine owners, including the late Fred Dibnah. It was also, and still is at times, attended by the Steam Tug “Kerne” as well as smaller steam narrowboats. A collection of steam rollers and traction engines will be on the car park of the Leigh Arms pub when we arrive and your coach back to the National Waterways Museum is planned to depart at 16:15, giving you time to take in the visiting steam attractions and maybe get an excellent pint of Robinsons in the Leigh Arms before you head off!
Easy transport :
We recommend parking at the National Waterways Museum car park, which is free of charge. Easily accessible by train, with a nearby station .
Our coach will collect you at Acton Bridge after having had time to look around the visiting attractions at the Steam Party, and return you to The National Waterways Museum at the end of your cruise.
Ticket options
Would you like to select a bottle of Prosecco to enjoy on your cruise
Little Leigh Steam Party
National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port – Acton Bridge, Cheshire
Saturday 3rd October 2026 | 10:00 – 14:30 then 1.5 hours to look around the Steam Party
This four-and-a-half cruise that starts in the historic setting of The National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port. Ellesmere Port was founded in 1795 with the completion of the Ellesmere Canal, linking the River Mersey to the national canal network. Originally known as Whitby Wharf, it grew around docks designed by William Jessop and Thomas Telford, before becoming a major industrial centre following the opening of the Manchester Ship Canal in 1894. After a short cruise on The Manchester Ship Canal, we exit into Marsh Lock and join the Weaver Navigation. Sailing through some of Cheshire’s most stunning countryside to our destination, above Dutton Locks – Acton Bridge, where we will arrive amongst many historic vessels who, like us, have travelled to Acton Bridge and the Leigh Arms pub to attend the Little Leigh end-of-season Steam Party. This event was started in the 1970’s by the late Peter Froud, and was a regular and popular venue for steam traction engine owners, including the late Fred Dibnah. It was also, and still is at times, attended by the Steam Tug “Kerne” as well as smaller steam narrowboats. A collection of steam rollers and traction engines will be on the car park of the Leigh Arms pub when we arrive and your coach back to the National Waterways Museum is planned to depart at 16:15, giving you time to take in the visiting steam attractions and maybe get an excellent pint of Robinsons in the Leigh Arms before you head off!
Easy transport :
We recommend parking at the National Waterways Museum car park, which is free of charge. Easily accessible by train, with a nearby station .
Our coach will collect you at Acton Bridge after having had time to look around the visiting attractions at the Steam Party, and return you to The National Waterways Museum at the end of your cruise.
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