What to expect
The event will take place on on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 May and will feature a wide range of family-friendly activities, from traction engine and steamboat demonstrations to face painting and behind-the-scenes ‘Walking the Lift’ tours. The Daniel Adamson art deco steamship ‘The Danny’ will be hosting an onboard craft beer festival and tours; there will be live music, barbecues, and Cheshire Live Steamers will be showing off their wonderful miniature traction engines at the top of the lift.
For a small fee, visitors can buy tickets for a fascinating guided river cruise in the Edwin Clark trip boat along the beautiful River Weaver Navigation, offering a unique insight into the stunning 1875 Victorian structure, the world’s first major commercial boat lift, and Northwich’s salt industry history.
Bursting with old-world charm
Jannette Warrener, our national destination and attractions manager, explains: “The fantastic steam festival has become a firm favourite in the annual event calendar at Anderton Boat Lift. With live demonstrations and interactive exhibits, it’s bursting with old-world charm. The Lift is a Scheduled Monument and one of the seven ‘Wonders of the Waterways’, so this festival provides a great opportunity to showcase its fascinating history and enjoy some glorious heritage steam engines.
“We’re very grateful to all the passionate owners, many of whom have travelled long distances to be with us. All the ships, steam engines and lorries will be operated and demonstrated by volunteer enthusiasts, offering visitors a wonderful insight into their mechanical history and heritage.
“Sadly the 150-year-old lift structure, which moves boats between the Trent & Mersey Canal and River Weaver, remains closed for major repairs, following a broken lift gate. Trust engineers are currently working hard to install a new, more robust and modern gate-lifting system and we are anticipating it will be operational again by early 2027.
“In the meantime, the Anderton Boat Lift Visitor Centre, Edwin Clark trip boat and grounds are very much open for business, with visitors able to enjoy a café, shop, exhibits, maze, children’s playground and regular, guided boat cruises along the River Weaver.”
