Anderton Boat Lift

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About Us

The mighty Anderton Boat Lift, known as Cheshire's 'Cathedral of the Canals' is an iconic attraction and a great, family-friendly day out.

Built in 1875, it was the world's first ever successful boat lift, designed to bridge the 50 feet gap between the River Weaver and the Trent & Mersey Canal. An engineering masterpiece, not only does it still do the job it was designed to do, but it does so with the most ingenious and endearing character of any structure on the canal system today.

Visitors to the boat lift can enjoy FREE access to the fun and interactive visitor centre, tree-top coffee shop overlooking the lift and gift shop packed with interesting and unusual gifts/souvenirs. However, if you really want to experience Anderton Boat Lift in all its glory, take a boat trip up and down the lift (the short one - 30 minutes) or through the lift and along the River Weaver (the long one - 75 minutes).

For the intrepid among you, there is also an opportunity to access the very top of the workings. But do you dare embark upon the thrilling ‘Top of the World Tour’?

In 2017, Anderton Boat Lift opened a brand new, fully accessible adventure play area. There is also a maze (built from the old counterweights that used to hang from the lift), insect village, picnic areas and lift view marquee (for weddings and corporate events) within the grounds.

For more information, please visit andertonboatlift.co.uk

Click here for Groups Information

Click here for Events

Guide Prices

Lift and river trip (the long one - 75 minutes)
Adults - £12.75
Children - £9.75
Family (two adults and two children or one adult and three children) - £35.25

Lift only trip (the short one - 30 minutes)
Adults - £8.25
Children - £6.25
Family (two adults and two children or one adult and three children) - £22.75

Opening Times

Low Season (1 Jan 2019 - 29 Mar 2019)
Day	Times
Monday - Sunday	09:30	- 16:00

High Season (30 Mar 2019 - 31 July 2019)
Day	Times
Monday - Friday	09:30	- 16:00
Saturday - Sunday	09:30	- 17:30

High Season (1 Aug 2019 - 31 Aug 2019)
Day	Times
Monday - Sunday	09:30	- 17:30
Bank Holiday	09:30	- 17:30

Low Season (1 Sept 2019 - 30 Sept 2019)
Day	Times
Monday - Friday	09:30	- 16:00
Saturday - Sunday	09:30	- 17:30

Low Season (1 Oct 2019 - 4 Nov 2019)
Day	Times
Monday - Sunday	09:30	- 16:00

* Consult website for further specific information for opening times throughout the year.

Awards

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

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.

TripAdvisor

1069 reviews

Certificate of Excellence 2018

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

Excellent
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Very Good
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Average
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Poor
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Recent Reviews:

SarahTeggs
Trip Type:
Family
Santa Cruise
Sunday, 9th December 2018
Drove from the South Lakes for the Santa Cruise and it was so worth it! Great food in the cafe, staff were fantastic and the Santa Cruise was wonderful! Lovely Father Christmas and great... Read full review
Peter L
Northwich, United Kingdom
Trip Type:
Family
Great Free Attraction
Sunday, 16th December 2018
An attraction to please a wide age group. Interactive displays, film of the history of the lift, a children's playground and,for an aadditional charge boat trips along the River Weaver. There is a... Read full review
madamerangetout
Warrington, United Kingdom
Trip Type:
Family
Lovely Santa Cruise
Monday, 17th December 2018
We had a lovely time on the Santa Cruise. I booked for me and my little girl and my friends from Nottingham. Very well organised. Friendly staff. We then enjoyed a snack in the café. Again, friendly... Read full review

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Facilities

Accessibility

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

Attraction Facilities

All Weather Attraction

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.