Saltburn Cliff Tramway
Durham and North East
Saltburn

The Saltburn Cliff Tramway opened in 1884 to replace a vertical hoist and is now the oldest water balanced funicular still in operation in Great Britain, linking the Victorian town of Saltburn with the only remaining pleasure pier on the whole North East

Take a ride on Britain's oldest water balanced cliff funicular. Saltburn's Cliff Tramway links the Spa town of Saltburn to the pier and promenade.

Opened in 1884 to replace an earlier vertical hoist the cliff tramway is probably the oldest of its type still operating. The two cars, each fitted with a 1000 gallon water tank, run on parallel tracks. The car at the top of the 71% incline has it’s tank filled with water until it overbalances the weight of the car 120ft below and gently descends while the lower car ascends. When the car reaches the bottom its water is re-pumped to the top and the process begins all over again. The cars are controlled by a brakeman at the top. The 10-12 seater cars were rebuilt to the original Victorian design for the Saltburn 150 celebrations in 2011

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