All Boat lifts

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Boat lifts that carry boats between waterways at different levels. Passage for private boats is usually booked in advance, so check with the operator.

New CRT Waterway Features
Illustrative photo
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Falkirk Wheel

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.
New CRT Waterway Features
Illustrative photo
Author Image

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.