Foxton Locks
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Market Harborough
What it’s like
Free walk around Britain's longest staircase locks - optional short canal cruises at weekends from spring to October.
Walk Britain's longest staircase flight of locks on the Grand Union Canal - ten locks stacked in two staircases, wildlife, sculpture trail and the remains of the Victorian inclined boat lift. Site entry is free once you have parked; pay for parking on exit (ANPR).
Short public canal cruises leave from the bottom lock beside Bridge 61 on weekend and bank-holiday afternoons in spring to October (plus some school-holiday weekdays when running). Trips are typically around 20-30 minutes; recent fares are about £6 adults / £4 children (dogs free) - pay on the boat, no booking usually needed. Call Foxton Boat Services on 0116 279 2285 to check if they are sailing that day.
Cafes, pubs, a canal museum in the old boilerhouse and a welcome station sit around the site. Towpaths are walkable but there is a steep climb to the top lock and uneven ground in places. Short-stay car park LE16 7RA; long-stay LE16 7RY. Free parking after 5:30pm.
Facilities
Plan your visit
How much does Foxton Locks cost?
It's free to get in. Some extras are priced; the full list is on this page.
Is there parking?
Yes, there's parking on site, plus Blue Badge bays.
Can we eat there?
Yes, there's a café, and there's a picnic area if you'd rather bring your own.
How accessible is it?
The venue lists wheelchair access and an accessible toilet.
Can the dog come?
Yes, it's listed as dog friendly. Worth checking any on-lead rules before you set off.
Is it indoors?
No, this one's an outdoor day, so pick your weather.
How do we find it?
Foxton, near Market Harborough. Short-stay car park LE16 7RA (bottom of the locks); long-stay LE16 7RY. About 20-25 minutes south of Leicester by car. Pay parking on exit - ANPR in both car parks.
Also on site
Canal Museum (Boilerhouse)
Historic museum located in the Boilerhouse, run by the Foxton Inclined Plane Trust.
Foxton Locks Inn, Bridge 61
Pub located on site at Bridge 61.
Pre-loved bookshop
Second-hand bookshop located in the Top Lock Cottage.
Top Lock Cottage café
Serves hot and cold drinks, snacks and locally produced ice cream.
Welcome station
Staffed by volunteers who talk visitors through lock keeping and the site's history.
Experiences
Day boat hire
Chance to hire a day boat at the site.
Animals
Herons
Wildlife to look out for across the site's 34 acres of green space.
Kingfishers
Wildlife to look out for across the site's 34 acres of green space.
Swallows
Wildlife to look out for across the site's 34 acres of green space.
Swans
Wildlife to look out for across the site's 34 acres of green space.
Areas to explore
Inclined Boat Lift remains
Remains of the unique Inclined Boat Lift, listed as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Longest staircase flight of locks in Britain
Grade II listed staircase flight of locks, the longest in Britain, an essential part of travel, trade and leisure for over 200 years.
Sculpture Trail
outdoors14 wildlife-themed sculptures to discover around the site, with an activity map available from the welcome centre at the top of the locks.
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