The Falkirk Wheel is a rotating boat lift that links the Forth & Clyde Canal and the Union Canal at Tamfourhill, on the west side of Falkirk. It is the only rotating boat lift in the world. Boats float into one of two water-filled gondolas, and the wheel turns to lift them 24 m. From the top they go through a 168 m tunnel under the Antonine Wall and up two locks to reach the Union Canal.

It opened in 2002 as the centrepiece of the Millennium Link project to reopen both canals. It replaced a flight of 11 locks that was dismantled in 1933. The architects were RMJM and the engineers included Arup and Butterley Engineering. The structure is 35 m tall, and because the two gondolas balance each other, each turn uses very little power.

The wheel and its visitor centre are run by Scottish Canals.

Waterways: Forth & Clyde Canal and Union Canal
Opened: 2002
Lift: 24 m, then two locks to the Union Canal
Grid reference: NS 8524 8013

Sources: Scottish Canals; Canmore site 218994; Institution of Civil Engineers.

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CRT Waterway Features

Anderton Boat Lift

Anderton Boat Lift raises and lowers boats 50 ft (15.2 m) between the River Weaver and the Trent & Mersey Canal at Anderton, near Northwich in Cheshire. Boats float into one of two water-filled caissons, which carry them between the river and an aqueduct at canal level. It opened in 1875 and is described by Historic England as the world’s first commercially successful boat lift. Edwin Clark designed it, with Edward Leader Williams as chief engineer. It was converted to electric operation between 1906 and 1908 and closed in 1983. After restoration it reopened in 2002, working on hydraulics again. The lift, aqueduct, basins and the buried remains of the old transhipment works are a Scheduled Monument. It is one of only two working boat lifts in the UK, with the Falkirk Wheel. A visitor centre and Anderton Nature Park are beside it. The lift is run by the Canal & River Trust. Waterways: Trent & Mersey Canal and River Weaver Opened: 26 July 1875; reopened 2002 Rise: 50 ft (15.2 m) Heritage: Scheduled Monument (Historic England 1021152) Grid reference: SJ 6473 7523 Sources: Historic England list entry 1021152; Canal & River Trust.

Boat Safety Examiners

Andy Gladdish — Boat Safety Examiner

A mobile Boat Safety Scheme examiner based near Milton Keynes, part of The Epic Boating Company, covering the Grand Union south to London and the South Oxford Canal. Examinations cost £200–£270 depending on the boat and location, including CRT fees and a second visit if needed. Block-booking discounts are offered.

Dry Docks & Slipways

Aqueduct Marina — Lift-out & Hardstanding

Aqueduct Marina at Church Minshull lifts boats onto a large hardstanding for DIY or yard blacking, including grit blasting and two-pack epoxy.

CRT Facilities

Aylesbury Basin facilities

Canal & River Trust facilities at Aylesbury Basin on the Aylesbury Arm of the Grand Union Canal, near Bridge 19: water point, Elsan disposal and rubbish disposal. Facilities sometimes close for repairs, so check Canal & River Trust notices before relying on them. Spotted a problem? Suggest an edit. Facility and location data from Canal & River Trust, checked 19 September 2026.

UK Canal Marinas

Aylesbury Canal Society

The Aylesbury Canal Society runs Circus Field Basin, a private marina on the Aylesbury Arm of the Grand Union Canal between locks 14 and 15, at Stocklake on the edge of Aylesbury. The Society was formed in 1971 to keep the Arm open and in use, and today has more than 250 members. The basin has residential, cruiser and visitor moorings, a covered and heated dry dock with slipway, a covered wet dock, and showers, laundry and Elsan for boaters. The Society also hires out a day boat and has a function room for meetings and events. See the linked listings below for full details of each.

Boat Hire

Aylesbury Canal Society — Day Boat Hire

Day boat hire from the Aylesbury Canal Society at Circus Field Basin, on the Aylesbury Arm of the Grand Union Canal between locks 14 and 15. Catalina is a 31ft traditional-stern narrowboat for up to 8 people, available every day including bank holidays. Every hire includes one hour of free tuition in boat handling and lock operation, and dogs are welcome. On board: a galley with sink, gas hob, kettle, plates and cutlery; a front deck seating up to 8; a flushing toilet and sink; a USB port and socket for an electric cool box; and a radiator in the cabin for colder days. Prices (2026): Monday to Thursday, excluding bank holidays, £150 inc VAT. Friday to Sunday and bank holidays £186 inc VAT. Book via the Society’s website or call 01296 252101 (office Mon–Fri 9am–1pm), WhatsApp 07999 069 243.

Dry Docks & Slipways

Aylesbury Canal Society — Dry Dock & Slipway

A covered, heated dry dock and slipway at Circus Field Basin, on the Aylesbury Arm of the Grand Union Canal, between locks 14 and 15. An electric winch brings the boat out of the water, then lifts raise it about 2ft 4in, giving access to the whole base plate for blacking, surveys and hull work. Dirty and clean workshops, a kitchen, showers, toilets and a laundry are next to the dock.

Marina Moorings

Aylesbury Canal Society — Moorings

Private moorings run by the Aylesbury Canal Society at Circus Field Basin, on the Aylesbury Arm of the Grand Union Canal between locks 14 and 15. The Society offers residential, cruiser and visitor moorings. Visiting boats get up to two weeks’ free mooring, then £12.50 per day (excl VAT). Showers, laundry and Elsan are available to boats on site. Let the Society know you want to stay via the booking form on its website. Office: Mon–Fri 9am–1pm · 01296 252101 · WhatsApp 07999 069 243 Also recorded in Canal & River Trust mooring data as sites L1, L5 and S1. CRT data licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

CRT Facilities

Batchworth facilities

Canal & River Trust facilities at Batchworth on the Grand Union Canal, near Batchworth Lock (Lock 81): water point, Elsan disposal and rubbish disposal. Facilities sometimes close for repairs, so check Canal & River Trust notices before relying on them. Spotted a problem? Suggest an edit. Facility and location data from Canal & River Trust, checked 19 September 2026.

Pubs & Attractions

Batchworth Lock Canal Centre

Run by the volunteer-led Rickmansworth Waterways Trust, Batchworth Lock Canal Centre sits right beside Batchworth Lock on the Grand Union Canal, at the point where the River Chess and River Colne meet the waterway. The centre offers a small museum and heritage displays on the canal’s history, an education programme for local schools, and public boat trips along this attractive stretch of canal near Rickmansworth’s Aquadrome. A good introduction to the canal for visitors and families exploring this end of the Grand Union.

Boatyards

Baxter’s Boatyard

Working boatyard next to Kingfisher Marina: dry dock, welding/fabrication, carpentry, repaints, blacking, engine work, BSS, chandlery, gas/coal/diesel and pump-out.