Anderton Boat Lift

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The mighty Anderton Boat Lift is one of the ‘seven wonders of the waterways’ and together with its visitor centre, coffee shop, boat trips and near by Northwich Woodlands, it makes for a perfect family day out. 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.

Visitor Notice

From 5th January 2022, there is a road closure located at Soot Hill in the village of Anderton. Please visit canalrivertrust.org.uk/Anderton for up to date information on how to get to us.

Book Tickets

Guide Prices

Ticket Type	Ticket Tariff
Boat Trip (Adult - 16+)	£14.50 adult
Boat Trip (Child - 3 - 15)	£12.50 child
Boat Trip (Under 3s)	Free
General Admission	Free
Walking the Lift Tour (16+ Only)	£10.00 adult

Note: Prices are a guide only and may change on a daily basis.

Opening Times

Season (1 Apr 2022 - 31 Oct 2022)
Day	Times
Monday - Sunday	09:30	- 16:30

Season (1 Nov 2022 - 31 Mar 2023)
Day	Times
Monday - Friday	Closed
Saturday - Sunday	09:30	- 16:00

* Boat Trips are available 1st April – 31st Oct*
Boat Trip departure times:
10:00, 11:30, 14:00, 15:30
*please note NO boat trips operate on the first Thursday of each month

There are no boat trips 1 November - 31 March

Walking the Lift Tours
Selected dates during the year visit canalrivertrust.org.uk/Anderton for info
Minimum age 16years

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:

1238 reviews

Travelers Choice 2022

Excellent
725
Very Good
381
Average
76
Poor
29
Terrible
27

Recent Reviews:

matg2022
Trip Type:
Couples
5/5
Sunday, 29th May 2022
As someone with very little interest in either boats, canals or hydraulic lifts, I felt there was very little here for me at Canal & River Trust's Anderton Hydraulic Boat Lift. Read full review
Millie024
Llantwit Major, United Kingdom
Trip Type:
Couples
Interesting and very informative
Tuesday, 7th June 2022
There is a very large car park, with an awkward pay and display machine, but having circumnavigated this first challenge , we hurried down to the entrance to this FREE attraction, in order to attempt... Read full review
catherine512016
Middlesbrough, United Kingdom
Trip Type:
Friends getaway
Excellent
Sunday, 19th June 2022
This was part of a bus trip tour. It was absolutely great. I would definitely recommend. A fabulous piece of Victorian architecture. The staff were very knowledgeable and made the explanation of the... Read full review

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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.