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Opened in 1875, the Anderton Boat Lift at Anderton, near Northwich, Cheshire, spanned the 50 foot height difference between the Trent and Mersey Canal and the River Weaver navigation. The lift allowed cargoes to move between the two waterways without transferring cargoes. The original lift was entirely hydraulic, relying on gravity to drive the pistons which raised and lowered the caissons (tanks) holding the narrow boats. Unfortunately the salt content of River Weaver resulted in the pistons becoming badly corroded and the lift had to be closed but was replaced by an electric powered system. At its peak the lift could handle 68 narrow boats per day and carried over 250,000 tes of freight per year.

Commercial traffic declined rapidly after WW1 and the lift finally closed in 1975. It re-opened in 2002 after restoration.

Today use of the boat lift is free to any boat holding a British waterways licence.