History, Technology and Industrial Archaeology
Quarry Bank Mill – an intact mill dating from the 18th century, with working machinery, water wheel and the Apprentices’ House, where you can get an idea of what life was like for the workers.
Little Moreton Hall – one of the country’s finest Tudor houses. The classic black-and-white timbers still stand as a testament to the skill of the craftsmen.
Anderton Boat Lift – if you need to get goods from one canal to another a hundred feet higher, what do you do? – lift the entire boat from one to the other! The Anderton Boat Lift, now fully restored, linked the Trent & Mersey Canal with the Weaver Navigation, allowing barges to float serenely from one to the other. It has to be seen to be believed.
Salt Museum, Northwich – the manufacture and trading of salt played a large part in the early prosperity of Cheshire. From the growth of Nantwich, Northwich and Middlewich to the foundations of the once-dominant ICI, salt was a huge industry. The Salt Museum brings it all to life – educational and fun at the same time.
Jodrell Bank Visitor Centre – home to the world-famous Lovell Radio Telescope and the Jodrell Bank Observatory, the astronomy research centre of the University of Manchester. Sir Bernard Lovell first came to the site after World War II, to escape the radio interference caused by the trams in Manchester!
Beginning with ex-military equipment, he eventually managed to secure funding for the huge telescope. It was finished in 1957, just in time to achieve fame as it tracked the Soviet ‘Sputnik’ satellite. The dish of the telescope is a landmark which can be seen from much of Cheshire.