The canals across the United Kingdom, which were mainly constructed in the 18th and 19th centuries, often encountered hilly landscapes. To descend or ascend slopes, canal builders typically used one or more locks that could raise and lower boats from one level to another. However, in the location of Anderton in Cheshire, late 19th-century canal builders faced an awkward problem with connecting shipping between the River Weaver and the Trent and Mersey Canal, which were separated in elevation by about 50 feet (15.25 m). Installation of locks at the site seemed impractical, so builders found a different solution.
The civil engineer Edwin Clark designed a boat lift to connect the river and canal. The lift, which was formally opened in 1875 as the first boat lift in the world, consisted of a wrought iron structure with two moving cassions, tub-like chambers that could each hold a canal boat. When loading or unloading, one caisson would be located at the bottom level adjoining the river, while the other would be located at the upper-level opening into the canal. Once the caissons were loaded, one would ascend while the other would descend; the counterbalancing weights meant little force was needed to raise or lower either caisson. Originally, a hydraulic system was used to move the caissons, but it was later replaced with an electrical system in the early 1900s.
The lift continued to operate for over a century, and it served as a model for the construction of other boat lifts in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in the world. Unfortunately, the discovery of severe corrosion in 1983 forced the boat lift to close. It remained shuttered for many years, but campaigners were eventually able to secure funds for repair and the boat lift reopened in 2002.
In the present, the Anderton Boat Lift, which is also hailed as the “Cathedral of the Canals” and one of the “Seven Wonders of the Waterways” is operated by the Canal and River Trust. A park with visitor facilities has been built around the site so that people can learn about the history of this Victorian-era engineering marvel, but it still fundamentally functions as a boat lift. However, instead of transporting goods between the river and canal, it now transports tourists and enthusiasts seeking out a truly unique boating experience.
Know Before You Go
The visitor center and grounds around the Anderton Boat Lift are open to visitors from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on every day of the week except Thursday. Admission is free, and the site is wheelchair-accessible.
The lift is located near the small village of Anderton, which is just northwest of Northwich at the western edge of a large wooded park area with multiple trails. The lift is slightly over a half-hour walk from the center of Northwich and about a 45-minute walk from Northwich’s train station.
Parking is available on the southeast side of the canal. A couple of bus routes connect Anderton to Northwich, although the buses are either relatively infrequent or stop relatively far away from the boat lift.
