‘A truly unique and much-loved, special historic structure’
It’s a marvel of Victorian engineering and this weekend sees birthday celebrations for the Anderton Boat Lift – the world’s first major commercial boat lift in Northwich.
The modern marvel is often referred to as the ‘Cathedral of the Canals’ – largely thanks to the incredible design and engineering work which went into its creation.
It’s a major tourist destination and is seen as being one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways.
Saturday and Sunday will see The Canal & River Trust transport visitors back in time to the year of its birth (1875). The charity will be hosting a spectacular free family festival over the anniversary weekend.
‘We would love to see as many people as possible join us to celebrate this special anniversary,’ says Jon Horsfall from The Canal & River Trust.
‘Anderton Boat Lift took the canal world by storm when it formally opened to boat traffic on 26 July 1875.’
‘It was a huge success and attracted distinguished engineers, scientists and guests from all over the world to marvel at the ingenuity of its creation.’
This weekend will see visitors transported back in time to 1875. Image: Canal & Rivers Trust.
‘Preserving a working monument’
Organisers say visitors will be able to enjoy magical, historical activities and events, including: Victorian games, circus entertainers, fairground organs and slot machines, jugglers, aerialists, stilt walkers, illusionists and circus workshops.
There’ll also be guided tours together with boat trips along the River Weaver together with the opportunity to join a Lego ‘make and take’ workshop. Attendees will have the chance to create an exclusive 150th anniversary model of the boat lift to take home.
‘Today it is an incredibly important part of our industrial heritage but preserving it as a working monument is increasingly a challenge.’
‘A major planned upgrade has been postponed due to spiralling costs and sadly there has been a problem with the lift gates for the last six months.’
‘We are hopeful this will be sorted out by our charity’s engineers very soon and the boat lift can resume its task of transporting around 3,000 boats a year between the two waterways.’
‘It would be wonderful if this could happen in time for its big birthday celebration. We are keeping our fingers crossed!’
‘Whatever happens we will enjoy a fantastic anniversary celebration for a truly unique and much-loved, special historic structure.’
Image: Canal & Rivers Trust.
‘An incredibly important part of our industrial heritage’
Designated one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways, The Anderton Boat Lift was designed by engineer Edwin Clark to connect the Trent & Mersey Canal with the River Weaver.
The lift has successfully carried boats between the two waterways for most of its 150 years.
It was converted to an electric system of pulleys and counterweights in 1908 but was out action in the 1980s and 1990s due to safety concerns about corrosion.
At the turn of the Millenium, more than £7 million was raised to fund a major restoration – and the boat lift began operating again on 26 March 2002.
There was an official opening the following year by HM King Charles, then Prince of Wales, on 28 April 2003.
Since then, it has attracted thousands of visitors to Northwich to marvel at the incredible engineering masterpiece and enjoy a trip aboard the Edwin Clark boat, named after the lift’s designer.
The Victorian Fair opens between 9.30 a.m. – 4.30 p.m.
