Canal locks · North West England
Anderton Boat Lift
Also known as: Lifft cychod Anderton
In or near Hartford.
World's first boat lift (1875) — Cheshire, fully restored, open for trips.
Roger A Smith — CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 20 min–45 min
- Nearest railway station
- Greenbank · 2.4 km
- Free entry
- Family-friendly
- Dog-friendly
Getting there & planning your visit
To visit the Anderton Boat Lift, the nearest railway station is Greenbank, located 2.4 km away. Entry is free. The postcode for sat-nav is CW9 6FW.
About
The Anderton Boat Lift near Northwich is the world's first boat lift, opened in 1875 to connect the Trent & Mersey Canal (above) with the River Weaver Navigation (50 feet below). Restored to working order in 2002 after 20 years of disuse; the on-site visitor centre runs boat trips through the lift.
Photo gallery
Summary from the official site
The Anderton Boat Lift is a historic engineering marvel that connects the River Weaver and the Trent and Mersey Canal. Visitors can explore the grounds, enjoy scenic river cruises, and learn about the lift's impressive design and history at the visitor centre.
Read more on the official property page.
From the Wikipedia article
The Anderton Boat Lift is a two-caisson lift lock near the village of Anderton, Cheshire, in North West England. It provides a 50-foot (15.2 m) vertical link between two navigable waterways: the River Weaver and the Trent and Mersey Canal. The structure is designated as a scheduled monument, and is included in the National Heritage List for England; it is also known as one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways. Built in 1875, the boat lift was in use for over 100 years until it was closed in 1983 due to corrosion. Restoration started in 2001 and the boat lift was re-opened in 2002. The lift and associated visitor centre and exhibition are operated by the Canal & River Trust. It is one of only two working boat lifts in the United Kingdom; the other is the Falkirk Wheel in Scotland. The lift has been closed to boat traffic since 3 January 2025 following failure of a gate lift cable during routine testing. The lift will remain closed during 2026.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
Architecture
In October 1871 the Weaver Navigation Trustees held a special general meeting which resolved "to consider the desirability of constructing a lift with basins and all other requisite works for the interchange of traffic between the River Weaver and the North Staffordshire Canal at Anderton and of applying to Parliament for an Act to authorise the construction of such works." In July 1872 royal assent was granted for the (35 & 36 Vict. c. xcviii), which authorised the construction of the boat lift. The contract for its construction was awarded to Emmerson, Murgatroyd & Co. of Stockport and Liverpool. Work started before the end of 1872 and took 30 months. The Anderton Boat Lift was formally…
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 53.2725, -2.5306
- District
- Cheshire West and Chester
- Parish
- Anderton with Marbury
- Postcode
- CW9 6FW
- Parliamentary constituency
- Tatton
- Phone
- +44 1606 786777
- Nearest railway station
- Greenbank — 2.4 km
- Opening
- Daily 9:30am–4:30pm; closed Thursdays
- Official site
- canalrivertrust.org.uk
Sources
- manual: anderton-boat-lift (manual)
- wikipedia: Anderton Boat Lift (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Anderton Boat Lift?
- Anderton Boat Lift is in North-West England, United Kingdom (postcode CW9 6FW), in the parish of Anderton with Marbury.
- What is Anderton Boat Lift?
- World's first boat lift (1875) — Cheshire, fully restored, open for trips.
- How do I get to Anderton Boat Lift?
- The nearest railway station is Greenbank, about 2.4 km away. Drivers can use postcode CW9 6FW.
- When was Anderton Boat Lift built?
- Dates from the Victorian period.
- Is Anderton Boat Lift a listed building?
- Anderton Boat Lift is officially recognised as Grade II* listed.
- Is Anderton Boat Lift free to visit?
- Yes, Anderton Boat Lift is free to enter.
- How do I get to Anderton Boat Lift?
- The nearest railway station is Greenbank, about 2.4 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode CW9 6FW.