Foxton Locks

Explore Foxton Locks, a historic canal marvel in Leicestershire, offering picturesque landscapes, canal heritage, boat trips, and a glimpse into 19th-century engineering brilliance.

You’ve never seen anything like Foxton Locks. Enjoy the peaceful countryside surroundings as you watch canal boats pass through 10 locks up a steep hill. And then grab some food or drink at the nearby café or pub while you see the world float by.

Foxton Locks is home to Britain’s longest set of staircase locks.

See how 19th century canal engineers solved the problem of getting boats up and down a steep hill at Foxton, with the grand Victorian inclined plane boat lift and the flight of ten canal locks that are over 200 years old. The locks are recognised as one of the most important industrial heritage sites in Europe.  The locks and surrounding area are open and accessible to the public all year round.

Visitors to Foxton Locks can step back in time at the Boiler House and get a breath-taking virtual experience of how boats travelled in the boat lifts to improve the canal network in the 19th century. To make the most of your visit, we recommend downloading the Foxton Discover App ahead of your visit. Visitors can also make the most of passenger boat trips, which run most weekends from April to October, or hire a boat for the whole day to experience the canals first hand.

At the base of the locks is a canal-side shop and two pubs; Bridge 61 and Foxton Locks Inn. Enjoy eight flavours of locally made ice-creams and a wide range of hot and cold food and drinks in what once the Lock Keepers cottage, the Top Lock Coffee Stop.

Foxton Locks is 4 miles west of Market Harborough and close to the village of Foxton. If you want to get fit and active whilst enjoying beautiful scenery, Foxton Locks is the place to go for a walk. With long and short routes available along canal towpaths and fields, it’s the perfect chance to get out in the open Leicestershire air. Most routes are dog-friendly. If you fancy a real challenge, the canal walk from Market Harborough is the perfect way to build up an appetite before a nice Sunday Lunch.

There is a bus service (bus 44 or rural rider) from the Market Harborough station which brings you to the top of Foxton village. There are two ‘pay and display’ car parks on site for long and short stay, which are free after 5pm.

When visiting Foxton Locks please show respect and consideration for others, following the advice around social distancing at all times and keeping your distance from both other people and moored boats where people may be living aboard