Foxton Locks
Planning your visit
Address: Foxton Locks Top Lock Cottage, Gumley Road, Foxton, LE16 7RA. View on Google map
Phone: 0116 279 3686
Email: enquiries.eastmidlands@canalrivertrust.org.uk
Opening Times: Passage through Foxton lock is now from 10am, last boat in at 3:15pm, locks locked at 4pm. Please liaise with the volunteer lock keepers on site, and they will advise you on your timings through the lock. Any issues please contact us on 0303 040 4040.
Price: Once you're parked up, it won't cost you a thing
Toilets: There are public toilets in both car parks at the top and bottom of the locks
Following the government’s announcement on 4 January 2021 of a national lockdown in England all boating should be limited to essential use only. Our towpaths remain open for local use but please follow government guidance, staying local, observing social distancing at all times and avoiding sections with moored boats where possible. You can find out more in our coronavirus and boating FAQs.
For a fascinating family day out in Leicestershire, head to our iconic Foxton Locks. There are flights of locks all over our network – but not like Foxton. It's home to two amazing feats of engineering in the heart of Leicestershire, on the Grand Union Canal. As well as the longest and steepest staircase locks in the UK, the site is home to the remains of the inclined plane, a magnificent, if slightly weird, piece of Victorian engineering.
But that's not the only reason over 4,000 boats pass through Foxton Locks each year, making it one of the most visited places on our canals. We recommend you take some time out to watch boats travel up or down the locks, or take a boat trip yourself, before relaxing at the pubs and picnic spots.
Things to do and see in Leicestershire
- Circular walk and dog walking
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Pond dipping
- The Canal Museum at the Boilerhouse
Places to eat:
- Top Lock cottage cafe - serving hot and cold drinks, snacks and locally produced dairy ice cream - see open times in our planning your visit section
- Foxton Locks Inn
- Bridge 61
- Bell Inn at Gumley
Boat trips:
Picnic spot:
- There are benches by the top car park and lots of nice grassy areas for a picnic
Walks and trails:
- Audio Trail - there are several speaker points around the locks telling stories from the 'cut'
Wildlife spotting:
This is a rural spot and you could spot just about anything from regional hedge laying crafts to the nest and bat boxes we've put up. There area is famous for it's pond dipping. But you'll definitely want to meet the resident tame robin. And look out for herons, swans, swallows and if you're lucky, kingfishers too.
Getting here
By car - SAT NAV: LE16 7RA
- long stay car park fee will increase to £3 for 24 hours
- short Stay Car Park fee will increase to £3.50 for a 4 hour visit.
- disabled parking - there are spaces in the short stay car park and on the access road to the Canal Museum at the Boilerhouse
Please remember that neither car park is open over night.
By train - Market Harborough is the nearest station with trains from Leicester or St Pancras
By bus - route 44, RR2 (Rural Rider) from Market Harborough station. The bus brings you to the top of Foxton village, from there follow bridle way to the locks
By boat - take a look at our boaters' infomation page, including lock opening times and visitor moorings
