Hydraulic Landmarks and Attractions in the UK

Hydraulics are part of everyday life – from cars and planes to office chairs and heavy machinery, these systems quietly power the modern world.

Since Joseph Bramah invented the hydraulic press over 200 years ago, this technology – based on Pascal’s Law – has continued to inspire innovative breakthroughs. Today, you can witness its legacy first-hand through a range of hydraulic landmarks and attractions across the UK. From lifting bridges to canal lifts, these engineering marvels show the enduring power of hydraulics in action.

1. The Anderton Boat Lift, Cheshire

One of the UK’s most iconic hydraulic landmarks, the Anderton Boat Lift is a stunning feat of Victorian engineering located near Hydraulics Online HQ in Cheshire. Opened in 1875, this rare structure was designed to move boats between the River Weaver Navigation and the Trent & Mersey Canal – a 50-foot difference in height.

The lift operates using two colossal tubs of water, or caissons, which rise and fall in sync thanks to a brilliantly simple hydraulic principle. Each caisson is connected to the other by a pair of massive hydraulic cylinders. As one caisson descends, its weight helps lift the other – dramatically reducing the energy needed to move the massive loads of water and vessels.

Whether you’re a fan of industrial history or just love clever design, the Anderton Boat Lift is a must-see. It’s a living monument to Britain’s hydraulic ingenuity.

For a deep dive into the lift’s design and history, check out the Foxes Afloat video.
Want a quicker view? This drone footage from Ringway Manchester offers breath-taking aerial visuals.

2. Tower Bridge, London

Tower Bridge is not only one of the UK’s most iconic hydraulic landmarks – it’s a global symbol of London. Since opening in 1894, this striking bascule bridge has featured in countless films, TV shows, and postcards. But behind its grandeur lies a fascinating feat of hydraulic engineering.

Originally, Tower Bridge operated using steam-powered hydraulic engines and six enormous accumulators that stored the pressurised water needed to lift the bascules. This system allowed the bridge to open for passing ships with remarkable efficiency for its time.

In 1976, the bridge underwent a major upgrade. The original steam system was replaced with a modern electro-hydraulic system, designed and maintained by Bosch Rexroth. Today, this cutting-edge setup continues to power the bridge’s iconic lifts – blending Victorian ingenuity with 21st-century precision.

To learn more about Tower Bridge and Bosch Rexroth’s involvement, click here!

3. Rolling Bridge, London

The second London entry on our list of hydraulic landmarks may not be as famous as Tower Bridge, but it’s every bit as fascinating. Tucked away in Paddington Basin, the Rolling Bridge is a modern marvel of kinetic design that we couldn’t resist sharing.

This innovative footbridge, designed by Heatherwick Studios, is made up of eight hinged segments. Each handrail contains seven vertical hydraulic cylinders positioned over the hinge points. When activated, these cylinders extend in unison, causing the bridge to curl up into a compact octagonal shape – like a mechanical caterpillar folding in on itself. The entire transformation takes about three minutes and is powered by a sophisticated hydraulic system housed in a nearby building.

It’s creative engineering like this that proves hydraulic systems are still being used in bold and imaginative ways—more than two centuries after Joseph Bramah’s invention of the hydraulic press.

This isn’t the only innovative hydraulic architecture by Heatherwick Studios and in our other article, “Hydraulic Landmarks and Attractions Around the World“, we cover their ground breaking “Glass House” design.

4. Falkirk Wheel, Scotland

The second of the UK’s two boat lifts – and the only rotating boat lift on the planet – the Falkirk Wheel is a true icon among modern hydraulic landmarks. Located in central Scotland, this 21st-century engineering marvel connects the Forth & Clyde Canal with the Union Canal, replacing a historic flight of 11 locks.

The wheel features two equally sized gondolas mounted on opposite sides. Thanks to Archimedes’ Principle, each gondola always weighs the same – whether it’s carrying boats or just water – ensuring perfect balance. This ingenious design means the ten hydraulic motors powering the rotation don’t need to exert much force to lift the 600-tonne gondolas. In fact, each lift uses just 1.5 kWh of energy – roughly the same as boiling eight kettles!

Falkirk Wheel - hydraulic landmarks in the UK

Archimedes principle is explained brilliantly here, in relation to the Falkirk Wheel, by YouTuber Tom Scott:

Besides the ten motors powering its rotation, there’s also lots of other actuators controlling many other things under the surface, which you can see here!

5. Stealth, Thorpe Park, Surrey

Located in Surrey’s Thorpe Park, Stealth is one of the UK’s most thrilling hydraulic landmarks – and the fastest rollercoaster in the country. This steel-launched coaster catapults riders from 0 to 80 mph in just 1.8 seconds, outpacing even the world’s quickest production cars.

The secret behind this jaw-dropping acceleration? A hydraulic launch system. Using a high-torque hydraulic motor, the system powers a winch that rapidly reels in a cable attached to the train. This immense force launches the ride’s 20-passenger trains down the track and up a towering 62.5-metre top hat element in a matter of seconds.

Stealth is a textbook example of how hydraulics can deliver raw power with precision – making it a standout among modern engineering attractions.

Not nearby? You can experience similar hydraulic launch coasters like Rita at Alton Towers or the record-breaking Formula Rossa at Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi, which hits 149 mph in under 5 seconds.

6. Grimsby Dock Tower, Lincolnshire

Standing tall since 1852, the Grimsby Dock Tower is the oldest of the UK’s featured hydraulic landmarks – and a striking symbol of Victorian engineering. Officially opened by Queen Victoria in 1854, this 309-foot tower was designed as a hydraulic accumulator, based on the pioneering work of William Armstrong.

At its peak, the tower housed a 30,000-gallon water tank suspended 200 feet above ground. This height created the pressure needed to power the dock’s hydraulic cranes, lock gates, and sluices. The system drew water from a deep well and used force pumps to maintain the tank’s supply, enabling efficient operation of the bustling Royal Dock.

Grimsby Dock Tower even featured a lift to carry visitors to the top – a rare luxury at the time. Though the lift is no longer in use, the tower remains a Grade I listed building and a proud monument to Britain’s industrial heritage

Grimsby Dock Tower - hydraulic landmarks in the UK

To learn more about William Armstrong as well as four other innovative scientists, mathematicians and engineers download our free ” Hydraulics Heroes” e-book.

7. Concorde, Cambridgeshire, Manchester and Surrey

In 1976, the first commercial Concorde flight took off from London to Bahrain, marking the dawn of supersonic passenger travel. Though retired in 2003, Concorde remains one of the most revolutionary aircraft ever built – and a high-flying entry in the world of hydraulic landmarks.

Capable of carrying 100 passengers from London to New York in under three hours, Concorde cruised at Mach 2 (1,354 mph) – faster than a rifle bullet. But behind the glamour and speed was a sophisticated hydraulic system that powered everything from its landing gear and flight controls to its iconic droop nose and visor.

Though it hasn’t flown in over two decades, Concorde remains the second-fastest commercial airliner in history – surpassed only by the short-lived Soviet Tu-144. Its legacy lives on not just in aviation history, but in the evolution of high-performance hydraulic engineering.

Day picture of Concorde G-BOAC in hangar

In 2014, Hydraulics Online was invited by Heritage Concorde to take on a truly iconic challenge: designing and supplying a bespoke hydraulic power pack to restore the legendary droop nose of Concorde G-AXDN at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford. Naturally, we said yes.

This project marked the beginning of a remarkable journey. Today, there are three Concordes in the UK with fully functional droop noses – each powered by our custom hydraulic systems:

✈️ G-AXDN at IWM Duxford
✈️ G-BBDG at Brooklands Museum
✈️ G-BOAC at Manchester Airport’s Runway Visitor Park

8. Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Tyne & Wear

This stunning and futuristic structure is the Gateshead Millennium Bridge in Newcastle upon Tyne. Also known as the Blinking Eye Bridge – thanks to its spectacular opening method – this is the world’s first and only tilting bridge.

Opened in 2001, its completely unique function and appearance is still turning heads more than 20 years later. Six large hydraulic rams and eight motors are used to rotate the pedestrian and cyclist bridge, which weighs around 850 tonnes.

Despite its weight, the bridge is extremely efficient thanks to its parabolic support arch. As the structure tilts, the arch cleverly acts as a counterweight, helping the bridge fully raise to its maximum 50-degree tilt in about four and a half minutes.

The Gateshead Millennium Bridge has become a true British icon since its construction – so much so that it was even featured on the back of the one-pound coin in 2007.

Gateshead Bridge hydraulic landmarks in the UK

Here’s a short time-lapse of the bridge opening and closing fully:

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Hydraulic Attractions and Landmarks around the World

After showcasing a number of hydraulically powered landmarks and attractions that can be found across the UK, we continued to explore a world of fascinating and spectacular designs powered by hydraulic systems.

Amazing Hydraulics: The Story of Tower Bridge, London

The iconic rising bascules of London’s Tower Bridge are stuff of folklore. The bridge has so many amazing real-life and fictional stories associated with it. However, perhaps its most interesting story is its engineering.

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