The Peterborough Lift Lock

The rich history of Peterborough connected to all sorts of manufacturing. One of such relics of the past is still active and functioning today and it is The Peterborough Lift Lock.

What is essentialy a big boat elevator, doesn’t feel like it, rather it feels like a giant tower striking with impressiveness. It is a highest hydraulic lift lock in the world, first officially opened 9 July 1904, and active today.

The working principle of the Lift Lock is based on zero power. It don’t require elecricity, and rely on simple physics of two chambers going up and down. In 2016 record was set with the 138 canoes and kayaks were placed in one of such chamber.

The magic of The Peterborough Lift Lock is that it’s big concrete structure, but feels very impressive and almost unreal, due to beautiful design and industrial beauty.

At the winter The Trent Severn Waterway canal a little bit south of The Peterborough Lift Lock turns into a skating area. The skating is allowed if the green flag displayed. If a red flag is there – temperature is too high and ice is unsafe.

Overall this is a beautiful and well-designed engineering marvel that impresses even after 120 years of work. This is a living history of Peterborough and a source of peace while watched. Being only 3-minue car ride or 15-20 minutes walking away from George Street Lofts makes visiting even more convenient.