What to expect

Designed by engineer George Croydon Marks, Saltburn Cliff Tramway has been transporting passengers between the town and the beach for well over a century. Remarkably, it still operates using its original water-balance system, where water-filled tanks beneath each carriage use gravity to power the railway, making it one of the finest surviving examples of Victorian engineering in Britain.

The short journey lasts only a few minutes but provides fantastic views across the coastline as the tramway descends the steep cliff towards Saltburn Pier and the promenade. The restored Victorian carriages retain much of their historic character, giving visitors a chance to experience a unique piece of Britain’s transport heritage.

Today, the tramway remains both a practical means of reaching the beach and a much-loved visitor attraction. Its continued operation, careful restoration and historic significance have made it one of Saltburn’s defining landmarks and an essential experience for anyone visiting the Yorkshire coast.