Anderton Boat Lift

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About Us

The grounds and takeaway are now open - Saturdays and Sundays from 10.00am to 4.00pm.

Keep an eye on the website and social media for updates on the visitor centre reopening and boat trips restarting in the summer.

Marvel at the miraculous feat of Victorian engineering they call the ‘Cathedral of the Canals’. No wonder it won Visit England’s 2018 Large Visitor Attraction Of The Year - Take a 30-minute boat ride up or down the lift to get the inside track on its workings. If you’ve got a head for heights, try Walking The Lift; venture out along the aqueduct to see the former control room and machine deck, then climb to the very top of this impressive structure for wonderful panoramic views. Little ones will love the new Let’s Play outdoor area, complete with a mock-up of Anderton’s bridge, control house and mooring area, and, inside the Visitor Centre, a lift-themed craft area where young imaginations can fly. Check out, too, the fascinating exhibition about this unique spectacle.

Book Tickets

Guide Prices

Lift Trip Only;
Adults 25+ £8.25
Children 5-15 £4.25
Young adult 16-24 £6.25
Under 5's FREE

River Trip Only;
Adults 25+ £5.25
Children 5-15 £3.25
Young adult 16-24 £4.25
Under 5's FREE

Combined Lift & River Trip;
Adults 25+ £12.25
Children 5-15 £7.25
Young Adult 16-24 £9.25
Under 5's FREE

Opening Times

2021 (20 May 2021 - 30 Sept 2021)
Day	Times
Monday - Friday	09:30	- 16:00
Saturday - Sunday	09:30	- 17:30
Bank Holiday	09:30	- 17:30

* Currently only the grounds and takeaway service is open - Saturdays and Sundays from 10.00am to 4.00pm.
Keep an eye on this page and social media for updates on the visitor centre reopening and boat trips restarting in the summer.

Car park open:
1 April to 30 September 9:00 - 20:00
1 October to 31 March 9:00 - 17:00

There's a charge and you can pay both by cash and card:

£2 for up to three hours
£3 all day
Free for coaches - please call 01606 786777 to book your coach in advance to make sure parking is available

Awards

Regional and Miscellaneous Marketing Cheshire Large Visitor Attraction of the Year - 2018 2018
Regional Marketing Cheshire Award Winner 2019 2019

Directions

Road Directions

The Anderton Boat Lift can be accessed by regional motorway and rail networks. Below are directions by rail, bus and road to help visitors find their way to the Anderton Boat Lift.

Lift Ln, Northwich, Cheshire CW9 6FW, United Kingdom

Vehicle Parking Car Parking is available at the Anderton Boat Lift. Charges are £2 for up to three hours, or £3 all day. Charges will operate from 10am till 8pm daily. Coaches park for free. It is advisable to book coach parties in advance to ensure parking is available. Please contact us on 01606 872868 before your journey.

By Rail Local railway stations are available at Cuddington, Acton Bridge, Hartford, Greenbank, Northwich and Lostock Gralam. Telephone National Rail enquiries on 08457 484950 for train timetable details and prices.

By Bus Regular buses run to and from the Northwich area.

Public Transport Directions

Rail- Northwich Station is the nearest station which is 35-minute walk (1.8 miles). Bus transfers avaiable from rail station and Northwich Bus Interchange.

Bus - Buses run regularly to and from Northwich. Closest bus stop Swing Bridge (13-minute walk, 0.7 mi)

Bike - download the heritage cycle trail leaflet and map

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

1216 reviews

Excellent
711
Very Good
374
Average
76
Poor
29
Terrible
26

Recent Reviews:

ADPyne
Kelsall, United Kingdom
Trip Type:
Couples
Cheap day out
Friday, 18th June 2021
Really enjoyed our visit to the boat lift. For a cheap day out you really can't go wrong with just parking to pay for. We visited the museum and bought a few tokens for the fun games downstairs which... Read full review
BarkhamBodger
Wokingham, United Kingdom
Trip Type:
Couples
Wonderful afternoon
Friday, 18th June 2021
Brilliant afternoon watching boats come down the lift and the nearby canal traders selling booze books and pizzas Read full review
Loliplpool
Aintree, United Kingdom
Trip Type:
Couples
Sunny Saturday stroll
Sunday, 20th June 2021
We were staying locally so decided to visit here and have a wall along the canal. Plenty of parking spaces and only cheap pay & display. Lovely canal walk, well maintained and looked after. The... Read full review

Write a review

Facilities

Accessibility

Facilities for Hearing Impaired Visitors
Facilities for Visually Impaired Visitors
Guide Dogs Permitted
Parking Areas for Disabled Visitors
Ramp / Level Access
Some Areas Accessible to Disabled Visitors
Toilets for Disabled Visitors

Attraction Facilities

All Weather Attraction
Pet Friendly - In some areas

Catering

On-Site café/restaurant - The Coffee Shop is newly renovated serving fresh coffee, sandwiches, jacket potatoes, paninis, cakes and snacks.
Picnic Site - There are various locations to have a picnic, both on site and in the Northwich Community Woodlands.

Parking & Transport

On site parking
Parking (charge) - Parking is charged at £2 for up to 3 hours and £3 for the day (until car park closing time).

Payment Methods

Delta accepted
Groups Accepted
Maestro accepted
MasterCard accepted
Min group size - To be classed as a group we require a minimum of 12 paying members in the party.
Special group rates
Visa accepted

Provider Facilities

Civil Weddings
Conference facilities
Event Venue
Toilets

Provider Features

Indoor Attraction - The two-storey Visitor Centre, Coffee Shop and Gift Shop are all indoors. The Boat Trip is also completely covered.
Marketing Cheshire Member
No Smoking Attraction
Outdoor Attraction
Village Location - Located in the village of Anderton, just north of Northwich Town Centre.