From iron spiders to steaming salt-pans, visitors are invited to explore Cheshire's industrial heritage and the county's 2000 year relationship with salt this autumn through two major attractions, Anderton Boat Lift and the Lion Saltworks Museum. Built by Edwin Clark in 1875 to lift cargo boats 50 feet from the River Weaver to the Trent & Mersey Canal, the Anderton Boat Lift is now a significant attraction in the heart of Cheshire.

This incredible edifice is perched on the banks of the River Weaver and looks like a giant three-storey-high iron spider. The sheer scale of this engineering feat now includes a free exhibition with interactive displays, coffee shop and play area for the children. There is even a special trip boat trip taking a look around the visitor centre to learn the story of the lift and the industrial heritage of the town of Northwich. Anderton Boat Lift also celebrates its 140 year anniversary in 2015.

Nearby visitors are also flocking to the newly opened Lion Salt Works Museum, close to Northwich, which is proving a huge visitor success despite being open for just two months. The unique site was restored over four years and gives a fresh insight into the story of salt and its significance to Cheshire and the UK; it has welcomed more than 4,000 paying visitors already and has picked up two restoration awards.

Officially opened in June 2015, the Museum has fun, interactive and educational exhibits, including a dramatic sound and film exhibit and a 'subsiding house'. The Museum is located next to the Trent & Mersey Canal and is one of the few attractions in the UK with its own canal moorings.

It is one of the last four historic open-pan salt-making sites in the world and has a unique industrial heritage, recognised by the Museum, unusually, also having the status of a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

Earlier in the year, the Lion Salt Works was Highly Commended in the Building Conservation category of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) North West Awards and on the first day of opening won the Heritage Award at the prestigious 2015 North West Regional Construction Awards.

The city of Chester has also welcomed the new Chester Cathedral Falconry and Nature Garden attraction with daily flying displays and experiences including falcons, kestrels, eagles, owls and a vulture within the wildlife paradise of the Cathedral gardens. This is in addition to the multi-award winning tower tour, Cathedral at Height. Children are allowed in to the attraction for free during the popular Alice in Wonderland exhibition, celebrating 150 years of the popular children's story and Cheshire's links as the birthplace of author Lewis Carroll – the exhibition is open until 30th August.