About Leas Lift
A Grand Idea Becomes Reality
In the 1880s, Folkestone was a booming seaside resort. Tourists flocked to the cliffs, but the steep walk between the elegant Leas Promenade and the beach below was difficult, especially for older visitors and families. A group of local businessmen proposed a solution: a water-powered lift to connect the two. The first Leas Lift was built and opened in September 1885. Elegant, efficient and affordable, it quickly became a town favourite. On opening day alone, more than 2,000 people rode the lift – a remarkable feat that signalled the start of a new era for Folkestone’s seaside travel.
A Second Lift and a Smarter System
Thanks to the popularity of the original lift, a second was added in 1890 on a parallel track. It had distinctive stepped seating and end-door entry, built to suit the site’s unique layout. That same year, the pump house was introduced, an essential upgrade to improve how the lift worked. Originally, water was used once and drained onto the beach. With the new pump system, water could be collected, stored, and pumped back up for reuse. This change made the Leas Lift more efficient and self-contained. Together, the twin lifts and upgraded hydraulic system marked a new chapter for this local icon.
How it Works
The Leas Lift operates on a water-balance principle. Each carriage has a tank underneath it. Water is added to the top car, making it heavier. This causes it to descend, pulling the lighter car up. The two are connected by a steel wire rope that loops over a large sheave wheel at the top of the track. Once the heavier car reaches the bottom, its tank is emptied and the cycle begins again. Water is pumped from the lower station to a tank at the top, ready for reuse. Its precise, gravity-based system is simple and remarkably enduring.
Enduring Through the Years
From Edwardian holidays to two world wars, the Leas Lift has seen over a century of change. During the Second World War, it was closed to the public and used as a Home Guard lookout post. After reopening in the late 1940s, it became a treasured feature of post-war family holidays. Though the second lift closed in the 1960s, the original survived thanks to the support from the local council and ongoing community care. In 2010, a group of dedicated volunteers stepped in to take over operations and helped to preserve the lift until its closure in 2017.
