Day 4: Arley Hall and Anderton Boat Lift
The morning was spent visiting Arley Hall, a private house and gardens. The gardens were large, impressive and very well kept. In spite of it being late in the season, there was plenty of colour in the many borders, the woodland walk, fern garden, Quercus Ilex columns, the lime avenue of trees and much more.
The Anderton boat lift was a very impressive sight. It is an incredible three storey high edifice on the banks of the River Weaver and was built to link the river with the Trent and Mersey Canal. We started our journey with a trip along the river as far as Northwich before returning for an ascent of the boat lift which is hydraulically operated. It was certainly an experience to remember!
Arley Hall
First impression
First impression
The walled garden
The walled garden
Hedychium in the greenhouse
A fountain
Colourful borders
Borders in the walled garden
The tea cottage
Arley is famous for the unique Quercus Ilex columns.
Quercus Ilex columns
A quiet spot
Borders
A hidden sunken garden
Ferns in the sunken garden
Sundial circle
Red border
Pink gauca rose
The house
A secret corner
The vegetable garden
The chapel
The fairy glen
A deer wanders through the fairy glen
Woodland walk
The Anderton Boat Lift
First sight of the boat lift built in 1875
First sight of the boat lift built in 1875
A massive construction to take boats from the River Weaver to the Trent and Mersey Canal.
We reach Northwich on the River Weaver and then make the return trip to our starting point.
In the lift
All done by hydraulics, the water level has changed.
The view from the Trent and Mersey Canal
Looking down to the River Weaver
The sluice gate
The new level
Up high!
The boat at the highest level
Canal boats
Donovan – Colours