STEAM@THELIFT
ANDERTON BOAT LIFT,
Lift Lane, Northwich, Cheshire, CW9 6FW
Date 8th-10th May 2026
PLEASE NOTE, THE ANDERTON LIFT IS OUT OF COMMISSION and will not be repaired until at least spring 2027.
General Arrangements and Itinerary:
Friday 8th Launching at Winsford Marina basin. This is a public slipway, there is no charge and it is available all day. There is mooring and a water tap available to fill boilers.
For those who can launch and have steam up and be away from Winsford Marina by 2.00pm steam to Anderton Lift to moor overnight. This is approximately a 2-3hr journey and involves two locks. These are manned locks and if you are not away by 2pm you will not make the second lock before the lock keepers go off duty.
Those who cannot make it by 2.00pm will moor at Winsford Marina overnight, or launch Saturday morning.
Trailer storage will be available at Winsford Sailing Club and adjoining farm, at a cost of £15 per trailer for the weekend. Logistics of getting skippers back to their trailers and to storage areas will be dealt with when we know who is attending and what the requirements will be.
Saturday 9th The main event of the day is the parade from Northwich to the Anderton Boat Lift. Details will be available for those attending.
Once back at the Anderton Lift the remainder of the day will be spent in steam on display, with free steaming around the area
Mooring for all Saturday night will be at the Anderton Lift.
Sunday 10th This will be a day of free steaming with a chance to go further afield, details to be confirmed based on the wishes of those present.
Boats will again moor overnight at the Anderton Lift with the other boats.
Monday 11th Boats to return to Winsford Marina for hauling out. Again, logistics of moving the trailers etc will be sorted when we know individual requirements.
This is a ‘level 2’ event, and all boats will be required to complete and return the SBA Declaration Form before the event.
declaration_form sba.pdf
Costs; Launching, mooring, and use of locks are free but their will be a £5 registration fee per person and of course £15 trailer storage where applicable payable on booking
However, if you do not already have one, you will need to get a Canal and River Trust Licence. This can be done online and a short term one to cover the event cost determined by boat size. You do not need to get a Boat Safety Scheme Certificate for a short term license, there is a self-declaration ‘Boat Condition’ form which includes a section specific to steamboats. It will be your responsibility to get this prior to the event, without which you will struggle to get through the locks and will not be permitted to use the Lift.
Food and Accommodation; Attendees will be responsible for sorting out their own food and accommodation. Throughout the day there will be an onsite Café serving breakfast and lunch into the afternoon, with a BBQ in the grounds and a Bar and Real Ales aboard The Daniel Adamson. If interested in a Pre-Event Dinner on the Friday night please indicate on the Registration Form
Accommodation in the area is plentiful, including Northwich Premier Inns and Nunsmere Hall Hotel.
There will be two types of registration forms. One will be for boats, skippers, and their guests and and one for those for those wishing to attend without a boat. Please note organisers will not be able to guarantee that those attending without a boat will be able to get a place on a boat at any given time.
There is opportunity for those who wish to extend their stay either side of the event to further explore the river and adjoining canals. Anyone wishing to do this should indicate on the Registration Form.
This year there is a further opportunity to steam from the Norbury event to the Anderton Lift if attending both events. Dan Warner who is organising the Norbury event will be arranging this but please note you will be moored on the canal at the top of the Lift and will not have access to the Weaver and the boat parade.
Any questions, please contact.
Daniel Hutchinson (SBA Organiser) daniel@spurstow.com
Mike Carter & Dan Cross (Canal and River Trust Event Organisers)
Event type 2
Key to event types
1 - SBA Organised Event (owner's declaration required)
2 - SBA organised participation in 3rd party's event (owner's declaration required)
In event types 1 and 2 the SBA organisers and SBA members are covered by the SBA Liability Insurance;
3 - private meeting of members with or without boats
4 - private, individual participation of members in 3rd party's event
5 - for information only
The Steam Boat Association of Great Britain