It opened to the public on June 28, 1884.
The funicular uses a water-balance system, meaning no electricity is required to power the movement of the cars.
Each car is capable of carrying up to 12 passengers per trip.
The tramway was originally designed to replace a difficult and steep walk known as the 'Cat Steps'.
It is owned and operated by the Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council.
The ironwork visible on the tramway was constructed by Stockton-based firm Dixon, Raylton & Co.
The Saltburn Cliff Tramway is the oldest water-balanced funicular still in operation in the United Kingdom. It connects the town of Saltburn-by-the-Sea at the cliff top with the lower promenade and pier at the beach level. The mechanism utilizes a counterweight system where water tanks beneath each car are filled and emptied to facilitate movement up and down the steep incline. The current carriages run on original Victorian tracks, maintaining much of their historic aesthetic. It bridges a height difference of 120 feet over a track length of 207 feet. The tramway remains a functional piece of Victorian engineering rather than a purely static museum exhibit.
From the beach level looking upward at the cars against the backdrop of the cliff face.
Check the local council website for service status before arrival, as operations are weather-dependent.
Combine your ride with a walk along the adjacent Saltburn Pier.
If the queue is long, the nearby cliff-side path offers a scenic alternative walk.
Do not attempt to ride if you have significant mobility issues or difficulty with steep inclines, as the platform access involves small steps.
Operates seasonally; typically closed during the winter months and during periods of high winds or adverse weather.
