Foxton Locks is a landmark location on England's waterways, noted not only for its famous flight of locks but also as the site of the Foxton Inclined Plane - a pioneering boat lift opened at the start of the 20th century to speed the flow of traffic. The sweeping views of farmer's fields add to the appeal of this tranquil rural location. The sandy towpath leads visitors alongside green fields of grazing sheep and cattle to the top of the staircase locks, where the magnificent patchwork panorama unfolds. Here, the pastoral peace transforms into a more bustling scene as curious passers-by gather to watch the colourful boats make their halting progress up the flight of locks. The Foxton Museum occupies the site of the boat lift boiler-house, and down at the bottom of the locks, a tearoom and shop provide welcome refreshment.
Foxton Locks are ten canal locks consisting of two "staircases" each of five locks, located on the Leicester line of the Grand Union Canal about 5 km west of the Leicestershire town of Market Harborough and are named after the nearby village of Foxton. It forms the northern terminus of a 20-mile summit level that passes Husbands Bosworth, Crick and ends with the Watford flight. Staircase locks are used where a canal needs to climb a steep hill, and consist of groups of locks which open directly into each other. Foxton Locks are the largest flight of such staircase locks on the English canal system. The locks are a popular tourist attraction and the county council has created a country park at the top. At the bottom, where the junction with the arm to Market Harborough is located, there are two public houses, a shop, trip boat and other facilities. The area is thus ideal for tourists, as well as for gongoozlers.
Opening Times: The locks will be open Monday to Thursday from 8am - 7.00pm (the last boat in will be 6.15pm); and Friday to Sunday from 8am - 7.00pm (the last boat in will be 6.15pm). It takes approximately 45 minutes to pass throught the flight. Boats must be through the flight by the time of closure. As locks can be very busy, please allow yourself plenty of time to ensure passage.
The Foxton Canal Museum was opened by the Foxton Inclined Plane Trust in 1989. Ideally situated by the middle lock, the museum is housed in the reconstructed steam-engine boiler house and is an informative diversion for young and old alike. Interesting exhibits of canal history provide a glimpse into early 20th century boating life. These include cabin decorations, furnishings and the lifesize reconstruction of a boatman's family visiting the tollkeeper's office. Colourful displays explain how canal locks work, and children can take part in fun quizzes. Visitors interested in the Foxton Inclined Plane Boat Lift can trace its history and mechanical structure here.
Picturesque thatched cottages announce your arrival in the quiet yet quaint village of Crick. Once a year, the scenic marina becomes the bustling hub of the annual Crick Boat Show, but for the most part this is a restful destination with opportunities to stroll uninterrupted along the canal towpath and through the old village centre. A church has stood in Crick since 700 AD but the current Norman structure dates from around 1077. St Margaret's church is an attractive building with a medieval spire and brickwork which glints red-gold in the afternoon sunshine.
Crick may not be the largest town, but it has a typically British supply of pubs and restaurants. Visitors can enjoy a relaxing waterside meal on the terrace of Edwards, or gravitate towards the various traditional town centre pubs including the thatched Red Lion.
Market Harborough is a busy market town mid-way between Leicester and Northampton. Built on a medieval planned street-grid over 800 years ago, both Charles I and Cromwell made it their base. The town is bigger, and therefore has less of a rural feel than nearly Foxton. The pedestrianized centre features all the ususal names in high street shopping and is over looked by the graceful church tower. Just beyond the old Market House, Welland Park offers peaceful green respite from the commercial buzz with a paved riverside walk threading through the lawns and flowebeds. Places of interest:The Old Grammar School, St. Dionysius Church, Harborough Museum, St. Mary's Place.
Newly restored as an active boating centre, the Union Wharf (formerly the Canal Basin) is now also a hub of artistic and cultural activity. The term of the 'Harborough' arm of the Grand Union Canal was once a bustling industrial quarter with timber merchants, boat builders and numerous warehouses filling the basin area with noise and commotion. Today, the red-brick buildings have been transformed into arts and crafts workshops with empty warehouses being reinvented as trendy canal-side apartments. Visitors can sit back, watch the boats and absorb the unique wharf atmosphere from the 18th century Union Inn.
This leafy seven-lock flight includes four interesting staircase locks, complete with side pounds. A surprisingly rural spot, given it's sandwiched between the A5 and the M1. Handy for Watford Gap Services.
This pretty spot outside the small town of welford is a popular destination for sunbathers and sketchers, as well as the more usual boaters and walkers. The settlement at Welford dates back to the days of the Doomsday Book. Coaches on their way from Leicester to London often pulled in to rest at the small town, and its popularity grew with the construction of the Welford arm of the Grand Union Canal in 1815. The Wharf occupies a pleasant grassy locale presided over by the historic Wharf Inn. A bend in the canal leads to the colourful marina and the start of several pleasant walks. At the back of the wharf stand the remains of the Welford lime kilns, once the largest kiln site along the Grand Union Canal. As demand for lime grew in the early 1800s, barges began transporting more and more limestone along the canal networks to the kilns, where it was burnt, turned into lime and put to use as fertiliser by local farmers. The seven Welford kilns were built in phases from 1820 and stayed in operation until the early 1930s.