The museum is housed in a former bonded warehouse at Devizes Wharf, approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) from the Caen Hill Flight.

[1] The building was at one time used to store wine brought up the canal after being imported through Bristol Harbour.

[2][3] The museum is operated by the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust, which also has its headquarters and a shop within the building.

[4] The museum houses memorabilia, papers and photographs relating to the canal,[5] which was constructed between 1794 and 1810.

After falling into disuse in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the canal was restored and formally reopened in 1990;[6] the visitor book at the museum was signed by Queen Elizabeth II upon this reopening.