It is located along the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal and River Severn.

There is also a steam crane and heavy oil engine in the setting of a canal repair yard, which is complete with working machine shop, forge and weighbridge, and a hydraulic accumulator.

The museum uses modern interactive techniques and hands-on exhibits, including a model of a section of a canal with working locks.

Designed by Capel N Tripp, for local corn merchants, Wait, James & Co.[3] It is a six storey red brick building, with a slate roof and stone lintels and sills.

[5] The building was designated Grade II listed status on 14 December 1971 and was converted to become the National Waterways Museum in 1987.