Historic Victorian seafront lift that is only one of three left in the UK will reopen after restoration

The Victorians are well-remembered for their marvellous engineering and architectural feats. From railways to grand buildings, and giant ships - this was a period where British engineering excelled and helped society progress.

But another interesting Victorian relic that still survives is a further example of this. The water-balanced seafront lifts - of which only three now remain in the UK.

And the Leas Lift in Folkestone, Kent, is to be reopened following a careful restoration. The lift is a Grade II*- listed structure and will be repaired and refurbished to return it to its original use next year.

Cathy Beare, chairwoman of the Folkestone Leas Lift Company Charity, said: “We can’t wait to welcome passengers back 140 years after it was first installed. People tell me the hard work starts now, although it certainly feels like we are well on the road to success.”

One of only eight water balance cliff lifts built nationally, the Leas Lift is one of only three in the UK still operated by its original system, providing transport from the Leas to the seafront and Lower Coastal Park.

The lift operates using water and gravity and is controlled from a small cabin at the top of the cliff. A spokeswoman for the National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “It has carried more than 36.4 million people since it opened in 1885, in a process that is especially energy efficient. The lift has a very small carbon footprint, as it emits no pollution and recycles all the water used to drive the cars.

“The lift was hugely popular in the Victorian era and operated almost continuously for over 130 years, closed only occasionally for repairs and during World War Two. The lift closed in 2016 due to safety fears and was placed on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register in 2018.

“It has since deteriorated further due to being out of operation and its beach-front location. A successful cafe was opened at the height of the pandemic in 2020, breathing life back into the space.”

The other surviving Victorian lifts are at Saltburn, North Yorkshire; and at Lynton and Lynmouth, North Devon. A modern water balance lift was opened at Machynlleth, Powys, Wales, in 1992.

The restoration of the Folkestone seafront lift was made possible thanks to a £4.8 million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. A total of £6.6 million has been raised for the project.