Work on this lift was a mammoth task. Excavation of the cliffs at its deepest is over 120 feet and the tracks to carry the carriages are 22 feet wide. It has an incline of 1 in 28 making it the steepest in the country.
Work was finished in the spring of 1902 and at that time cost £6,000 to build. It was opened on Coronation Day, April 9th 1902. In 1973 work commenced to update the lift and electric motors were installed to replace the old water balance system previously used. Together with new passenger cars the total cost was £35,000. The re-opening took place in 1976 and today it is a great tourist attraction carrying passengers from the Stade up onto the East Hill where you can take in the many splendid views. You can then walk along the cliff tops, through the glens and enjoy the beauty of this vast Country Park.