Please be aware that due to the ongoing wet weather, our overflow field car parks are unlikely to be able to open at the moment as the ground is completely saturated. Our long and short-stay car parks will be open as usual but could be very busy at peak times making spaces limited.
Foxton Locks, Leicestershire
Foxton Locks is a Grade II listed site, and home to the longest staircase flight of locks in Britain. These locks have been an essential part of travel, trade and leisure for over 200 years.
Things to do
Foxton Locks sits on 34 acres of natural green spaces, which makes it great for nature spotting. Look out for herons, swans, swallows and kingfishers. Also located at the site are two pubs, two cafés, a museum and the chance to hire a day boat.
Each year, over 400,000 visitors experience the rich heritage of the site, including the remains of the unique Inclined Boat Lift, listed as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
There is plenty to keep you busy at Foxton:
- visit the historic Canal Museum located in the Boilerhouse run by the Foxton Inclined Plane Trust
- take a boat trip on Vagabond II – managed by Foxton Boats LTD (summer only)
- hire a day boat and travel a little further – managed by Foxton Boats LTD
- meet the team in the welcome station and learn about lock keeping and the site's unique history
- guided walks, themed activities and events
- summer events programme including paddle boarding and canoeing
- pre-loved bookshop in the Top Lock Cottage for your favourite read
- bring a picnic or recharge at one of the places to eat on site: Top Lock Cottage café – serving hot and cold drinks, snacks and locally produced ice cream, and Foxton Locks Inn, Bridge 61.
Planning your visit
All you need to know about visiting Foxton Locks
Opening times
Foxton Lock Flight Opening Times:
31 March 2024 - 29 June 2024 8am until 6pm, last boat in at 5.15pm
30 June 2024 - 14 September 2024 8am until 7pm, last boat in at 6.15pm.
15 September2024 - 26 October 2024 8am until 6pm, last boat in at 5.15pm.
27 October 2024 - 30 March 2025 9.30am until 3:30pm, last boat in at 2.45pm.
Price
Once you've parked, it won't cost you to visit
Access
Toilets are located near both the long and short-stay car parks at the bottom of the site with disabled access/facilities.
Due to the historic nature of the site, there are areas of uneven ground, but the towpaths are accessible. There is a steep incline to reach the top lock area and the inclined plane.
Benches and seating spots are available across the site, including within the pre-loved bookshop.
Two parking spots for disabled parking access on the half-drive.
Contact the museum for access requirements to their building and collections.
Parking
Disabled parking is currently free as long as visitors display a blue badge. There are nine marked disabled bays in the bottom car park (LE16 7RA). There are two disabled parking spaces on the half drive (alongside ice boats). These are not marked out due to heritage reasons, but they are useful for getting close to the museum.
In the top car park, disabled visitors may park for free, but it is not marked out for car spaces.
Top car park, LE16 7RY – £3 all-day parking, no overnight. Motorbikes cost the same as cars, and the Pay By Phone parking app is recommended. Buses are asked to park in the top car park and the charge is £5 for a bus.
The bottom car park (LE16 7RA) is £3.50 for up to 4 hours, same for motorbikes.
This is the short-stay car park, and it becomes £8 beyond 4 hours.
Address
Foxton Locks Top Lock Cottage, Gumley Road, Foxton, LE16 7RA.
Contact details
Phone: 01162 793686 Email: [email protected]
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