The Anderton Boat Lift Centre, was the winner of the large visitor attraction of the year 2018.This is a thoroughly enjoyable day out with lots to do and see. The main attraction is the boat lift which provides a 50-foot (15.2 m) vertical link between two navigable waterways: The River Weaver and the Trent and Mersey Canal. This is a magnificent feat of engineering and visitors can experience it for themselves either by taking the walking tour (not for the faint hearted and definitely not for you if you have a fear of heights!) or by taking the boat trip which will
take you from the top to the bottom of the lift which takes approx.. 30 minutes. During this time the tour guide will explain to you the story of the lift, the people of the waterway who used it and the people who brought it back to life. You can either take just the boat lift or you can combine this with a combined lift and river cruise where the boat meanders along the River Weaver to Northwich and back.
There is also the option to take a 2.5 hour cruise from Sutton Weaver to Acton Bridge on the iconic steam cruiser The Daniel Adamson. This is a lovely cruise passing through old swing bridges, tree lined countryside and canal locks complete with pretty cottages. This trip does need to be booked in advance.
Back at the Anderton the visitor centre is well worth a visit It houses a very good exhibition, looking at the lift’s history and the people who worked on and around it.
Or take a walk down the canal and see some of the history of the area taking in the remains of The Old Lion Saltworks, reputedly the last in Britain to produce salt using the traditional evaporation method using brine pans. Continue on to the very pretty village of Great Budworth named the most picturesque village in Cheshire which has an extremely good village pub The George and Dragon, where you can take a break in their beer garden watching village life go on around you. Then make your way back along the towpath to The Anderton Centre and home to Foxes Field where you can sit out in the late afternoon sunshine with a drink to plan your evening.