Anderton Boat Lift & Visitor Centre, Cheshire

Looking for the perfect day out in Cheshire?

Visit Anderton Boat Lift, a giant three-storey-high iron edifice on the banks of the River Weaver Navigation. It is one of the 'Seven Wonders of the Waterways' and together with its visitor centre, coffee shop, play area and nearby Northwich Woodlands, it makes for a great day out.

Things to do

Anderton Boat Lift has earned its nickname of Cathedral of the Canals for a very good reason. Not only does it still do the job it was designed to do of lifting boats and barges 50ft from the River Weaver Navigation to the Trent & Mersey Canal, but it does it with the most ingenious and endearing character of any structure on the canal system. Truly a great day out for all the family, with plenty to keep you there all day.

A walk on the wild side

Next to Anderton Boat Lift and visitor centre, you will find a wildlife haven and beautiful wild flowers. Look out for bats, bug hotels, ducks, swans, moorhens, rare orchids, and if you're lucky, a white-tailed eagle. If cycling is more your thing then don't miss the Heritage Cycle Trail which will take you from Anderton Boat Lift to Northwich, and the Weaver Hall Museum.

Planning your visit

Anderton's history

The Anderton Boat Lift is one of only two working boat lifts in the UK, and is affectionately known as the Cathedral of the Canals.

Designed by Edwin Clark in 1875 to transfer boats and barges between the River Weaver and the Trent and Mersey Canal across a height of 50 feet. It was in operation for over 100 years until it closed in 1983 due to corrosion. However, it opened to the public again in 2002 after a huge renovation project began in 2001.

Impressive engineering

You will understand the impressive engineering that has gone into this well-designed infrastructure during your visit to us. The science behind it however is actually relatively straightforward. Two huge water tanks, each possessing watertight sealable doors, work as counter balances to transport the boats up and down.