We're welcoming an array of local stallholders selling a variety of items including jewellery, soap, wood crafts, kid's clothing, cakes and other handmade gifts.
Make a day of it
Families will also be able to get crafty themselves with rock painting, colouring and crafting activities. Visitors are encouraged to make a day of it and explore some of the walking trails and scavenger hunts that can be found alongside the canal or enjoy a spot of ‘gongoozling’ – the art of watching boats pass through the locks. There will also be some outdoor games and refreshments will be available at the fair or at one of the on-site pubs and cafes.
The fair, taking place between 10am and 4pm on Saturday 21 October, is an opportunity for people to get some early Christmas shopping done and explore the site which is home to not one, but two marvels of engineering.
Foxton Locks is the longest and steepest flight of staircase locks in the country - ten locks back-breakingly carved by hand through the Leicestershire countryside, raising the canal up a 75ft hill. Nearby are the remains of a 19th century boat lift designed to haul boats up the hill in giant bathtubs of water, now a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Caring for the 200-year-old locks requires a year-round effort by ust and our volunteers. Events like the craft fair are an opportunity for people to explore the historic site and find out how they can help protect it for future generations.
There's something for everyone
Jannette Warrener, our destination & attractions manager, said: “We’re really excited for the craft fair and can’t wait to welcome people to this amazing site, which is so full of history and wildlife. Maintaining a two-century-old working waterway is a challenge and events like this are a great way to bring local people together and highlight the work that we do to protect this special place.
“We’ve brought together some of the best local sellers, so there’s something for everyone, whether you’re starting your Christmas shopping or just want to browse.
“We really hope that people also take the opportunity to have a look around the site. It’s the perfect place to watch colourful narrowboats making their way up and down the locks, enjoy one of the walking trails or sit back and enjoy one of the waterside pubs and cafes.”
The craft fair is free to enter but there is a small charge for the children’s craft activities. Standard car parking charges also apply.
