Avast, ye landlubbers!: Boat Lift's Pirate Weekend promises 'riotous' summer fun

PIRATES, a crooning mermaid, and shanty-singing sailors are set to drop anchor in Northwich this summer holidays.

The Canal and River Trust’s (C&RT) Pirate Weekend is coming to the Anderton Boat Lift on Saturday and Sunday, August 10 and 11, 10am to 4pm.

The Conwy Pirates will swing into action for two days of thrilling high seas shenanigans, including cannon and pistol firing, treasure hunts, pirate costume parades, games, and live music.

They will be joined by Mermaid Aurora, who’ll entertain visitors with delightful songs and stories of the oceans.

The Edwin Clark trip boat will be offering short cruises up and down the lift, giving visitors a unique view of the stunning 1875 Victorian structure, the world’s first major commercial boat lift.

Trust staff will also be on hand to explain the need for a programme of vital repairs and upgrades to the lift as part of the ‘Engineering the Future’ project.

Cannon and pistol volleys add authenticity to the Conwy Pirate's trademark thrilling re-enactments (Image: C&RT)

Ani Sutton, destination and attraction manager with C&RT, said: “The Conwy Pirates stormed our National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port earlier this year for a riotous weekend festival.

“They were such a huge success with visitors, we’ve managed to tempt them away from the high seas and onto the canals for a pirate re-enactment at Anderton Boat Lift.

Pirates getting some much need 'aargh and aargh' with games on deck (Image: C&RT)

“The event comes only a week before Northwich’s fabulous Piña Colada Festival and what better way to whet the appetite for rum and pineapple than with pirate fun and games at this stunning historic monument – one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterway.”

Admission to the weekend pirate event and the Anderton Boat Lift visitor centre is free but some activities, such as boat trips, incur a charge and need to be booked in advance.

Mermaid Aurora will be performing ocean songs and telling stories from the bottom of the sea (Image: C&RT)

During the 2024 summer season, Anderton Boat Lift and visitor centre is open six days a week (closed Thursdays), 9.30am – 4.30pm, offering four boat trips a day.

Entrance to the visitor exhibition, shop and café are free. Special seasonal events include a Steampunk Lift-Off celebration on September 28 and 29.

For more information about visiting, check out the Canal & River Trust website  or call 01606 786777.