Complete Guide to Foxton Locks
One of the best things about hiring a boat with Union Wharf Narrowboats is our proximity to the world-famous Foxton Locks. Not only is Foxton Locks one of the most popular narrowboat destinations in the country, but it’s also one of the most important industrial heritage sites in Europe. It’s home to the longest staircase flight of locks in Britain!
From our home in Market Harborough, Foxton Locks is an easy cruise. Our day boat route takes guests to Foxton Locks and back again in a day, with plenty of time for a pub lunch and some exploring. We’ve put together a complete guide with everything you need to know about Foxton Locks.
The history of Foxton Locks
Foxton Locks, one of the most remarkable engineering features on Britain’s canal network, has a history rooted in the expansion of the Grand Union Canal during the early 19th century. Constructed between 1810 and 1814, the ten-staircase locks were designed to move boats up and down a steep hillside near Market Harborough, allowing a continuous link between the Midlands and London. The staircase system enabled boats to ascend a steep rise of 75 feet in a relatively compact space, making it an impressive achievement of Georgian engineering.
By the late 19th century, increasing commercial traffic demanded a more efficient solution than the time-consuming lock flight. This led to the construction of the Foxton Inclined Plane, an innovative boat-lift system completed in 1900. It transported boats up and down the hill in minutes, dramatically reducing congestion. Although technologically advanced, the lift proved expensive to operate, and with declining canal trade, it closed in 1911 and was later dismantled.
Foxton Locks continued to serve pleasure craft and became a beloved Grade II listed heritage site. Today, ongoing conservation efforts preserve both the staircase locks and the remains of the Inclined Plane, celebrating Foxton’s role in the story of Britain’s waterways.
How to operate Foxton Locks
Foxton Locks is the perfect experience for beginners, as volunteer lockkeepers from the Canal and River Trust are on hand to guide you through all ten locks. If you don’t know what to do, or if you would like someone to operate the locks on your behalf, the volunteer lockkeepers will make sure you have the best experience possible.
To begin with, you’ll need to moor up in or close to the basin and drop off a member of your crew to find the lockkeepers. They are easily recognised by their bright blue tops and red lifejackets. If you can’t find a lockkeeper on the locks themselves, knock on the door of Top Lock Cottage. Tell them you’d like to bring your boat up or down the flight and they will book you in, giving you an approximate time. You cannot book ahead and will need to find the lockkeepers on the day.
At peak times, this could be an hour or more away, so be prepared to put the kettle on while you wait. If you are lucky, you’ll be waved straight through. The flight itself takes around 45 minutes to navigate up or down. To check the lock opening times, visit their website here: https://foxton-lock-keepers.wixsite.com/foxton-locks.
The lockkeepers will guide you through the process. They will instruct you on when to enter the locks and how to operate the paddle gear correctly. At Foxton Locks, remember the saying, ‘red before white, you’ll be alright!’, to avoid water wastage and potential flooding.
At each stage, you will be winding up the RED paddle gear first, followed by the WHITE. Wait for the lock to fill, and when the water equalises on either side of the gate, you will be able to open it and allow your boat to drive through.
You will then lower the paddles again, before closing both gates and repeating the process on the next set of gates. Easy!
Things to do in Foxton Locks
Foxton Locks has several cosy pubs and eateries. Bridge 61 Pub is a traditional canalside pub at the bottom of the locks, which is perfect for a pint or a snack while you watch the boats pass. Foxton Locks Inn is another charming pub/restaurant here with a beer garden overlooking the canal. This is a great spot for lunch during a trip on one of our Union Wharf day boats.
Visit Top Lock Cottage café for hot and cold drinks, snacks, and locally produced ice cream. There’s also a small pre-loved bookshop here so you can grab something to read on the next leg of your journey. If you have time to head further afield, visit the Black Horse in the nearby village, a short walk from the towpath. Here you’ll find quieter, countryside pub=garden vibes, with great food and drinks.
If you’re interested in Foxton Locks’ history, explore the Canal Museum and the Inclined Boat Lift. Here you can learn all about the Georgian engineering marvel of the staircase locks and see the remains of the gigantic lift. They also host exhibitions here, with further details on their website. Adult entry is £4, and children enter free.
If you want to stretch your legs after a day of boating with Union Wharf, take a stroll around the 34 acres of beautiful countryside, abundant with swans, herons, and kingfishers. There is a wide variety of shorter, gentle walks and longer hikes across towpaths, bridleways, and fields.