We will be unveiling 14 wooden totems which have been designed to celebrate some of the nation’s best-loved wildlife.
The event
As part of the event, which took place on Saturday 30 May, visitors will be able to meet the artists, take part in some family crafts, and be amongst the first people to take the trail. Trail maps can be purchased from the Welcome Station at the top of the flight of locks, with proceeds supporting the Trust’s work to care for the historic site.
Funding for the project has come from Harborough District Council and the wooden sculptures have been hand-carved by artists, Peter Leadbeater and Jeremy Turner. The pieces depict popular native wildlife species including the otter, badger, dragonfly and snake.
Foxton Locks is the UK’s longest, steepest flight of staircase locks, built by hand more than 200 years ago to help raise cargo-carrying boats 75ft uphill. Set in 34 acres of natural green space, the site is 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. Visitors can find out more about the Inclined Plan at Foxton Canal Museum.
A perfect place for a spot of lunch
Emily Davis our volunteer leader, said: “The new sculptures look incredible and we’re really looking forward to welcoming people to the launch of our new trail.
“Foxton is the perfect place to watch the boats and maybe grab a spot of lunch, but the new trail also now gives people the opportunity to explore parts of the site that they may never have seen before.
“As a charity, we’re really grateful for the support of Harborough District Council and hopefully the project will see lots of people getting out an exploring more of what Foxton Locks has to offer. “
