We're holding a series of activities enabling people to explore the historic site.
Foxton Locks is the UK's longest, steepest flight of staircase locks and also home to the remains of the Foxton Inclined Plane – a Victorian boat lift designed to haul boats up the hill and now a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Summer activities
As part of the summer activities, we are holding a series of canoeing experiences, giving a duck's eye of the Grand Union Canal. The 90-minute sessions, held on Saturdays and some Tuesdays until 22 August, are a great way of exploring the canal's heritage and the beautiful Leicestershire countryside. Anyone is welcome to take part whether they're a seasoned canoeist or a first-timer. Sessions are available to anyone over the age of eleven.
On Tuesday 15 August, we are inviting families along for a day full of family fun. Visitors can have a go at canoeing and fishing sessions, kids' crafts, water safety activities, pond dipping, moth trapping and guided walks unveiling the site's history and wildlife secrets. There will also be Caribbean drumming workshops and music sessions taking place in the canalside orchard.
Leicestershire Fire & Rescue Service, Leicestershire Police and the Community Safety Partnership will also be on hand showcasing the work that they do and demonstrating some of the equipment they use. Delicious food and drink will be available from the cafes and pubs on site.
Preserving and protecting
Diana Vogtel, our community development manager, said: “Foxton is such an incredible place, steeped in history and full of wildlife, but we want to encourage people to see it from a different perspective and have a go at something different this summer.
“There's really nothing better than being on a canal in a canoe or exploring the bugs and beasts living in our local waterways, and these events will give people the chance to do that in the beautiful surroundings of Foxton Locks.
“Many people may not know that the locks are cared for by a charity so it's also an opportunity for them to find out about the work we do to keep canals alive and how they can help us to protect the locks for future generations.”
