Aerial view of a flight of locks, each with large overflow pounds next to them, surrounded by fields.

Caen Hill Locks

The 16 locks that form the steepest part of the Devizes flight at Caen Hill are not only a scheduled ancient monument, they are an Olympic-sized challenge every boater must do. This 'wonder of the waterway' is a rite of passage.

Caen Hill (pronounced ‘cane'), is one of the longest continuous flight of locks in the country. With a total of 29 locks with a rise of 237 feet over two miles with a 1-in-44 gradient.

Visit our welcome boat, The Admiral, to meet our volunteers and for activity sheets, local walks and information and stories about the locks before taking a stroll over to our newly planted, Diamond Jubilee Wood.

Download your free map

More information about what you can enjoy at Caen Hill

Things to see and do

Places of interest

It takes time and funding to keep Caen Hill Locks safe and beautiful for everyone. Your support makes it possible.

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Planning your visit

Address
Canal & River Trust car park (P&D), The Locks, Rowde, Devizes, SN10 1RF. The Admiral Welcome Boat is by Lock 44 and the café.
Opening times
The towpath is always open.
Price
Once you're parked up, it won't cost you a thing. Parking costs £4 for the day.
Toilets
For customers of the local pub/café

Information leaflet

Take a look at our fold-out guide to Caen Hill

Got a boat?

Find out about lock times, moorings and facilities

Pause for a chat with our friendly volunteer lock keepers, they’ll tell you more about the canal, the area and the work they do to make Caen Hill special. Repairing locks, building flower planters for wildlife, clearing fallen trees after storms – they do it all.

Volunteer at Caen Hill

Getting here

By car
SATNAV postcode SN10 1RF. Our Canal & River Trust pay & display car park is off Marsh Lane and costs £3 for all day. Travel down the hill and turn right following signs to Rowde.
By boat
The locks typically take five to six hours to traverse in a boat. Check opening times.
If you're thinking of travelling up (or down) the flight you'll need to talk to our volunteer lock keepers as they have the experience to make sure the water is conserved during your passage.
There are visitor and lock waiting moorings at the top lock and some visitor moorings, as well as boating services near the bottom of the main 16 flight locks.