GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

Anderton Boat Lift Walk

2 miles (3.3 km)

This photogenic Cheshire based site is one of the highlights of the UK's waterways.
The device lifts boats 50 feet from the River Weaver Navigation to the Trent and Mersey Canal. This 'Cathedral of the Canals' has been listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the British Waterways and won experience of the year 2019. You can enjoy a boat trip along the river which uses the lift on the way. On the trips you can learn all about the history of the area and the structure itself. The easy canal and riverside paths also make for a fine walk.
After admiring the structure you can head south east along the water to visit the Anderton Nature Park. Here there are some nice woodland trails and ponds to see.
You can find the site just to the north of Northwich.

Postcode

CW9 6FW - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Anderton Boat Lift OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Anderton Boat Lift Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

The site includes a visitor centre and a cafe for some post walk refreshment. From here you can enjoy fine views of the boat lift with your meal.

Dog Walking

The canal, park and woods make for a fine dog walk. You are requested to keep them on leads on the canal paths. Some areas around the lift are not open to dogs.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Head north from the site and you can enjoy more waterside walking around Budworth Mere in the lovely Marbury Country Park in Great Budworth. To the east of the park there's also Pickmere Lake. The pretty lake is a popular spot with swimmers and has some nice footpaths along the southern side of the water.
A little further north there's Arley Hall where you'll find a fine stately home and some stunning gardens which are amongst the best in the country.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Cheshire Walks page.

Photos

Anderton Lift 1 - geograph.org.uk - 894731

This lift transfers boats from the lower River Weaver up to the Trent and Mersey Canal. The two caissons today are supported by hydraulic rams rather than the previous ropes and pulleys on the earlier structure. This picture shows the far caisson raised where the hydraulic ram is difficult to discern from the "A" frame supports. One of the many interesting facts related by the tour guide was that Messieur Citroen developed the distinct chevron gearing, the shape of which later became the symbol of cars bearing his name. It was a triumph of Victorian engineering when first constructed.

Anderton Lift 2 - geograph.org.uk - 894741

The aqueduct section from the Trent and Mersey basin to the lift top. Water being contained by large rising gates at the left hand end. Water level difference is 15.25m /50 Feet.

Trent and Mersey Weir - geograph.org.uk - 1373203

Trent and Mersey Weir

Anderton Nature Park - Lesley's Leap - geograph.org.uk - 254709

Anderton Nature Park - Lesley's Leap: North Cheshire Way in the park. View from beside the bridge over Marbury Brook at Lesley's Leap. This small brook flows through typical clough woodland to join the River Weaver.

River Weaver from Anderton boat lift - geograph.org.uk - 967845

The view upstream of the River Weaver taken from the aqueduct leading to the Anderton Boat Lift.

Anderton Nature Park - geograph.org.uk - 804470

Anderton Nature Park. The dipping pond and riverside walk with the Winnington chemical works in the background

Witton Brook joins the river Weaver - geograph.org.uk - 1541201

Witton Brook joins the river Weaver

The Anderton Marina, South Basin - geograph.org.uk - 1805241

The Anderton Marina, South Basin

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Anderton Boat Lift.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Share>Save to Files')

Memory Map Route

Anderton Boat Lift.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Share>Save to Files)