Timothy Turner, General Manager, Anderton Boat Lift, said: "I am delighted that the hard work and commitment of all the staff and volunteers at the Lift is recognised with this sought-after and prestigious accolade. We are all very passionate about the Lift and its history and try to go that extra mile to create an enjoyable and memorable experience for all our visitors."
"A great deal of thought has gone into telling the fascinating story of the world's first successful boat lift and how it is still working today. At all stages we aim to engage the audience. So whether visitors come to visit the free exhibition, listen to our experienced boat guides as they float through the Lift and along the River Weaver or simply read the display boards as they walk through the terraced site, we aim to interest and educate visitors from young to old."
The Anderton Boat Lift is one of the seven wonders of Britain's waterways and is an engineering masterpiece, being the world's first ever successful boat lift. The Lift sits in a spectacular location between the River Weaver and the Trent & Mersey Canal and is an interesting combination of working historic structure and fun, educational experience.
There's an extensive programme of activities throughout the year to encourage visitors to this iconic site. This includes a variety of paid events such as the annual beer festival, Summer concert and Firework Spectacular as well as a host of free events such as a Transport Festival, Victorian Weekend and a Wild West Weekend.
The Lift was restored in 2002 after a £7 million restoration made possible due to a substantial grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. However, it's only through the constant support of visitors and volunteers alike that our team continues to tell the tale of this iconic structure.
