Foxton Locks facts for kids
Foxton Locks are a famous set of ten canal locks in Leicestershire, UK. They are part of the Grand Union Canal and are located near the village of Foxton. These locks are special because they are built like two "staircases," each with five locks. They help boats climb a steep hill on the canal.
Quick facts for kids Foxton Locks and Inclined Plane |
|
|---|---|
Upper staircase of Foxton Locks
|
|
| Location | Leicestershire, UK |
| Built | 1813 and 1900 |
| Architect | Benjamin Bevan (Canal & Locks), Gordon Cale Thomas (Inclined Plane) |
| Governing body | Canal & River Trust |
|
Listed Building – Grade II*
|
|
| Official name: Foxton Locks, Grand Union Canal Leicester line | |
| Designated | 7 December 1966 |
| Reference no. | 1360753 |
|
Listed Building – Grade II
|
|
| Official name: Lock-Keeper's Cottage adjacent to Foxton Top Lock | |
| Designated | 9 March 1989 |
| Reference no. | 1360774 |
|
Listed Building – Grade II
|
|
| Official name: Lock-Keeper's Cottage with adjoining stable block and Foxton Canal Craft Shop, adjacent to Foxton Bottom Lock, Grand Union Canal | |
| Designated | 9 March 1989 |
| Reference no. | 1061459 |
| Official name: Inclined Plane immediately east of Foxton Locks | |
| Designated | 24 January 1973 |
| Reference no. | 1018832 |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
Foxton Locks (grid reference SP691895) are ten canal locks. They are made of two "staircases," each with five locks. They are found on the Leicester line of the Grand Union Canal. The locks are about 3 kilometres (2 miles) west of Market Harborough. They are named after the nearby village of Foxton.
These locks mark the start of a 32-kilometre (20-mile) high section of the canal. This section passes through places like Husbands Bosworth and Crick. It ends with the Watford flight of locks.
Next to the locks, you can find the site of the Foxton Inclined Plane. This was a special machine built in 1900. It was designed to lift boats up and down the hill faster than the locks. However, it was not very successful and only worked fully for ten years. It was taken apart in 1926. Today, there is a project to rebuild it because the locks can still get very busy with boats.
Contents
What are Staircase Locks?
Staircase locks are used when a canal needs to go up a very steep hill. They are a group of locks where each lock opens directly into the next one. This means the bottom gates of one lock are also the top gates of the next. Foxton Locks are the biggest set of staircase locks in England.
How Foxton Locks Work
The locks at Foxton have special areas called "side pounds." These are like small pools next to the locks. White paddles are used to empty water from a lock into a side pound. Red paddles then fill the next lock downstream using water from the side pound. This system saves a lot of water. It is much more efficient than other types of staircase locks.
Building the Locks
Work on building the locks began in 1810. It took four years to complete them. The Foxton Locks officially opened on 1 October 1813.
Not much changed at the locks until the inclined plane was built. When the inclined plane was working, the locks were not used as much. In 1908, money was given to fix the locks. This allowed them to be used fully again, even at night.
In 2008, Foxton Locks became part of the European Route of Industrial Heritage. This is a group that celebrates important industrial sites across Europe.
Using the Locks Today
The locks are usually staffed by people from Easter until October. This is when most boats are using the canal. Outside these hours, the locks are padlocked. This helps to prevent water shortages. It also makes sure that boats going up and down can move smoothly. There can be long waits during busy times. However, going through the locks usually takes about 45 minutes to an hour. It is quicker because the locks are narrow, and the gates are easy to open.
Visiting Foxton Locks
The locks are a very popular place for visitors. They are listed as a Grade II* listed building, which means they are very important. The local council has created a country park at the top of the locks.
At the bottom of the locks, you will find a junction with another part of the canal. Here, there are two pubs, a shop, and a boat that offers trips. The area is great for people who enjoy walking or learning about history.
Foxton Canal Museum
The Foxton Canal Museum is located in the old boiler house. This building used to power the inclined plane's steam engine. The museum tells the story of the locks and the inclined plane. It also shares information about the lives of the people who worked on the canal. You can also see a collection of Measham pottery there. The museum opened in 1989.
See also
- Bingley Five Rise Locks in West Yorkshire
- Bingley Three Rise Locks in West Yorkshire
- Foxton Inclined Plane Trust
- Watford Locks in Northamptonshire
- Caen Hill Locks near Devizes, Wiltshire
- Fourteen Locks near Newport, South Wales
- Tardebigge Locks near Bromsgrove, Worcestershire
Images for kids
-
Bottom of Foxton Locks
-
Panorama of the upper staircase
