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Illuminated boats light up Foxton Locks

Families are being encouraged to visit the famous Foxton Locks in Leicestershire and enjoy a spectacular boat festival along the Grand Union Canal.

Illuminated boats

Taking place on Saturday 17 December from 3 - 8pm there will be lantern making workshops and carol singing at the Boiler House Museum, festive boat trips, the Harborough Silver Band plus a variety of hot food stalls.

The highlight of the event will be the illuminated boat parade with pyrotechnics and a fire sculpture at 6pm. The parade will include a number of narrowboats all beautifully lit up with a variety of sparkly Christmas lights and, thanks to the generosity of Grand Union Narrowboats, the winner of the ‘best dressed' boat will also win a £250 gift voucher.

Foxton Locks is home to a staircase of 10 locks which enables boats to navigate up and down the hill at Foxton. Built in 1815 the locks are 200 years old and around 4000 boats travel through this famous flight each year. The site is also home to the now disused boat lift which was originally designed to speed up travel through the locks before it fell into disuse in 1911.

Vicky Martin, from the Trust, said: "This is the first time we've held a Christmas illuminated boat festival at Foxton Locks and the event promises to be a really fun, festive occasion for local people and the boating community.'"

Last Edited: 05 December 2016

photo of a location on the canals
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