Steam at the Lift Festival

Around three dozen historic steamboats and traction engines are travelling from all over the country to congregate at Anderton Boat Lift, Cheshire’s historic ‘Cathedral of the Canals’ near Northwich, on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 May, for its biggest ever spectacular ‘Steam at the Lift’ Festival.

Hosted by the Canal & River Trust charity, the event will feature for the first time a celebratory steamboat flotilla sailing along the River Weaver Navigation from Winsford Marina to Anderton on the Saturday morning, showcasing vintage vessels from the Steamboat Association of Great Britain.

During the weekend festival, visitors will be able to enjoy a wide range of activities from ‘Top of the World’ guided tours of the lift and a Saturday night barbecue to Lego and face painting for children. The Daniel Adamson art deco steamship ‘the Danny’ will be hosting an onboard craft beer festival and tours, and the Cheshire Live Steamers will be demonstrating miniature traction engines at the top of the lift.

The Edwin Clark trip boat will be offering short cruises up and down the lift, giving visitors a unique view of the stunning 1875 Victorian structure, the world’s first major commercial boat lift. Trust staff will also be on hand to explain the need for a programme of vital repairs and upgrades to the lift as part of the ‘Engineering the Future’ project.

Admission to the weekend festival event and the Anderton Boat Lift visitor centre is free but some activities, such as boat trips and Lego, incur a charge and need to be booked in advance. Festival opening times are Saturday (10am – 10pm) and Sunday (10am – 4.30pm).