The Leas Lift is a unique and historic funicular railway in Folkestone, Kent, England. It was constructed in 1885 and is one of the oldest water lifts in the country. The lift is a Grade II* listed building and is a popular tourist attraction.
The Leas Lift is a water-balanced funicular railway, which means that it uses water tanks to counterbalance each other, providing the power to move the cars up and down the cliff. The lift operates using a series of valves and tanks, and it is controlled from a small cabin at the top of the cliff.
The Leas Lift was originally built to transport people between the Leas promenade on the clifftop and the beach below. In its heyday, it carried thousands of people per day. However, the lift's popularity declined in the 20th century, and it was closed in 1988.
In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in the Leas Lift, and there are plans to restore it to full operation. The Folkestone Leas Lift CIC, a volunteer group, was set up in 2018 to bring the lift back into use and develop the waiting rooms into new visitor facilities.
The Leas Lift is a fascinating piece of engineering and a reminder of Folkestone's rich history. It is also a beautiful piece of machinery, and it is a joy to watch it in operation. I hope that the lift will be restored soon so that future generations can enjoy it.
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