Free: Anderton Transport Festival in Northwich

The picturesque Cheshire town of Northwich will play host to a free, family-friendly Transport Festival later this month. It’s centred around the Anderton Boat Lift, which known as one of the ‘Seven Wonders of the Waterways’. Built in 1875, the lift transports boats 50 feet between the River Weaver and the Trent & Mersey Canal. This recently restored marvel of the industrial age is one of only two in the UK. Festival showpieces include a historic narrowboat, a coal-fired steam tug, a collection of classic cars, and a scale model steam wagon. The event is free to enter, but for a small cost, visitors can take a boat ride through the lift. The trip takes around 40 minutes, during which they will be given a commentary. There’s also a river trip, which includes a talk on the industrial heritage of Northwich. Booking for both trips is advisable. There’s also a souvenir shop and a tree-top coffee shop.

Sat 21 Jul – Sun 22 Jul, The Anderton Boat Lift, Lift Lane, Northwich, CW9 6FW, Tel: 01606 786 777, 10.30am – 3.30pm, FREE, www.canalrivertrust.org.uk