Foxton Locks Canal
Foxton Locks Canal
Distance: 0.5 miles
Walk: 15 mins
sat nav: LE16 7RA
Explore Foxton Locks, a historic canal marvel in Leicestershire, offering picturesque landscapes, canal heritage, boat trips, and a glimpse into 19th-century engineering brilliance.
How do you lift a fully loaded narrowboat up a 75ft hill? Engineers of the past 200 years have come up with not one but two ingenious solutions at Foxton and, together, they offer a day out like no other.
There are flights of locks all over the nation’s canal network but there’s nowhere quite like Foxton Locks – the longest and steepest staircase of locks in the country. Ten locks back-breakingly carved by hand through the Leicestershire countryside.
An innovative boat lift, or inclined plane, was built next to the locks to carry boats up and down the steep hill in giant bathtubs, or caissons, of water. Expensive to operate, and under increasing competition from the railways, it was mothballed after just 11 years but today visitors can stand on the remains and find out more about how it worked in the nearby museum.
Two centuries ago Foxton would have bustled with the sights, sounds and smells of a working waterway but today it offers a peaceful escape where you can almost feel life slowing down. There’s a friendlier feel too, where people passing on the towpath say hello and there’s always a smiling lock keeper on-hand for a chat.
Maybe you’ll enjoy a spot of ‘gongoozling’, the art of watching the beautifully painted narrowboats make their way through the locks. With around 5,000 boats passing through each year, Foxton is the perfect place to try it.
Visit Foxton Locks Canal
Uppingham – Market Town
Uppingham is blessed with a range of speciality shops and traditional retailers, many of whom are still family owned and run. For browsing around antiques shops, Uppingham hits the mark perfectly allowing you to meander around the town for hours, finding hidden gems around every corner. Antiques waiting to be discovered in Uppingham include glass, china, cutlery, silver, jewellery, maps, furniture, mirrors, coins and many more objects d’art. If you need help on how to curate them into your home or for a full interior design plan, pop into Sarah Harding Interiors for inspiration.
Art is very important to Uppingham with a number of distinguished art galleries displaying work from acclaimed artists from around the world as well as introducing visitors to a plethora of talented local artists. Peter Barker Fine Art is a great example of this, and the internationally renowned Goldmark Gallery is certainly not to be missed. The Rutland Gallery exhibits both established and emerging contemporary artists.
Miles: 19
The Bell Inn
The Bell Inn’s bar and restaurant is conveniently located in Leicestershire. Why not enjoy some traditional pub food in relaxed and friendly surroundings. Select from our lunch or dinner menus. See our range of ales, spirits, wines and much more. The Bell Inn is the perfect place for traditional pub food. A sunny weekend afternoon is perfect in our beautiful garden and alfresco seating area.
Gumley is a very popular walk on the Leicestershire round route map. The Bell Inn is a perfect place to meet to start and finish your walk
Cycling is also a major pastime in this area and if you are planning a route, make sure to stop at our pub for some refreshmentMiles: 2.2
Burghley House
Welcome to Burghley, one of Europe’s most outstanding and important family estates. Visitor facilities include the Orangery Restaurant, Gift Shop, Gardens of Surprise and beautiful walks around the historic parkland laid out by Capability Brown and still occupied by a herd of fallow deer.
Miles: 32
Tropical Birdland
A unique attraction which is home to over 250 birds with stunning free-flying parrots from around the world!
Miles: 21
Foxton Locks Canal is 0.5 miles from Foxton Locks Lodges
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