Lion Salt Works

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It’s a story brilliantly told at the Lion Salt Works, one of the last open-pan sites in the world, an intriguing warren of stove, boiler and pan houses renovated to reveal how salt was extracted from the underground brine lakes and transformed into a coveted commodity. Immerse yourself in the high-tech wizardry of Salt Pan 3, which recreates the steamy and dangerous conditions where bare-chested men toiled over great vats of the boiling brine. Stand at the bar in the old Red Lion pub, where the workers were once served refreshing pints of beer with a replenishing pinch of salt. Spot the worker’s boots encrusted with salt crystals and the sardine tins that, curiously, wages were paid in. Then step out on the towpath of the Trent & Mersey Canal, where salt was once hauled to Liverpool’s docks, the gateway to the world.

Book Tickets

Guide Prices

Adult £6.25, concession £5.50, child £4. Family 2 adults + 2 children £16.40. Family 1 adult + 3 children £14.60. Concession Family 2 adults + 2 children £15.20. Concession family 1 adult + 3 children £14. Adult Annual Pass £18 valid for 12 months from date of issue. Family Annual Pass (2 + 2 or 1 + 3) £50 valid for 12 months from date of issue. Concessions are OAPs, Jobseekers, or Students. Children are aged 5 – 16

Opening Times

2024 (1 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2024)
Day	Times
Tuesday - Sunday	10:30	- 17:00
Bank Holiday	10:30	- 17:00

* Closed: 24-26 Dec and 1st January.
Play Area and Butterfly Garden
Gates, play area and gardens open 9am – 5:20pm Monday to Sunday.

Awards

Visit England VAQAS Accredited 2019
Regional and Miscellaneous Marketing Cheshire Award Winner 2015 2015

Directions

Road Directions

At the crossing of the B5075 from Northwich and the Trent and Mersey Canal. Leave M6, jct 19 and follow A556; or M56, jct 10 and follow A559.Nearest train stations are Northwich (1 mile), Hartford (3 miles).Buses available to Northwich town centre.

Public Transport Directions

By coach: Please book your groups in advance. By train: From Northwich Railway Station the Salt Works is a 25 minute walk or 15 minutes by bicycle. There is no taxi rank at the station. By bicycle: The Salt Works is on two Sustrans routes: On road – local route off Route 5 (Northwich) and Route 70 (Great Budworth). Traffic free – along Trent and Mersey Canal towpath. By canal: Canal boats can be moored alongside the Salt Works with visitor access from the towpath. Please check the Canal and River Trust for terms and conditions.

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

470 reviews

Excellent
301
Very Good
144
Average
19
Poor
5
Terrible
1

Recent Reviews:

Cyclist62
Adbaston, United Kingdom
Informative visit to the Lion Salt Works
Tuesday, 5th March 2024
Informative couple of hours at the Lion Salt Works. We would have liked a guided tour as I think staff bring things to life more than reading information boards, but the volunteer hadn't turned up... Read full review
byronbayley1
York, United Kingdom
Visit worth its Salt. Highly recommended
Tuesday, 12th March 2024
Very interesting, good displays and extremely informative. Staff were very friendly and helpful. It was a very enlightening glimpse of the history of the area and also British history dating back... Read full review
Jayne T
Sheffield, United Kingdom
Worth a visit for historic interest about the area and industry
Monday, 18th March 2024
Interesting displays. Informative about the salt production history. Cafe with a selection of nice cakes. Well laid out gift shop. Play area for children. Staff very helpful and friendly. Some... Read full review