Foxton Locks

This is a beautiful 14 mile (return) flat and traffic free ride along the towpath of the Grand Union Canal, which wanders between Market Harborough and Foxton Locks in Leicestershire.

We follow the signs for Route 6 of the National Cycle Network which is opposite the railway station in Market Harborough, where there are frequent trains from Derby via Leicester.  Although initially on the same route as the Bramcote Valley Way, following the River Welland, the route to Foxton diverts through Welland Park and a few urban streets before the meandering canal heads Northwards and later Westwards.





The railway station at Market Harborough (right)

Follow Route 6 and not Route 64.

                                                    Rattle along the wooden walkway.

                   NCN 6 runs alongside the River Welland through pedestrianised shopping centres.

The exit from Welland Park.  Turn right here.

Following this sign.

Right at junction.

And left onto Logan Street, going left at the top of the hill to access the canal by way of a narrow alleyway.

On reaching the canal towpath, turn right to Union Basin which is the terminus of the Grand Union Canal in Market Harborough.  We will return to this point after visiting Union Basin and continue along the path i.e. left here towards Foxton.

The approach to Union Basin.

And the basin itself. Waterfront Cafe (right) recommended.

A fine sculpture on the quayside.

We retrace our steps (tyremarks) to the alleyway and continue along the winding towpath towards Foxton some six miles hence. The path surface is hard and stoney all the way.

This way to Foxton.

So far we have been on Route 6 of the National Cycle Network, but here at this swing bridge Route 6 leaves the canal and goes up the hill opposite, missing Foxton Locks.

Through the gate and straight along the towpath.........................

.................take us to the locks at Foxton..............................

....................and another manually operated swing bridge.

The flight of 10 locks rises up the hill from here, and X marks the top lock.

The Foxton Locks Inn opposite is one of many places to eat and drink around the basin below the flight of locks.

The view from the top lock is spectacular.

The white cottage was once the home of the lock keeper and is now an excellent cafe.

A good choice of food and drink at reasonable prices.

A statue of Jack Cryer, once lock keeper who lived, with his family, in the cottage

This fine sculpture of a horse stands alongside the canal above the top lock.

Access to the other side of the canal  is across this bridge where you can see the disused link to the remains of the inclined plane. This leg of the canal leads to Birmingham and London.

No boats traverse this link.

 Water lilies and reeds grow where boats no longer go.


The remains of the inclined plane.........

... which once was used instead of the locks to carry boats up and down the hill in steel containers hauled by a steam engine.

From here a view of the top few locks and also the side ponds which hold the water drained from one lock, so that it can be used to fill the next one further down the hill.

A quiet mooring for these boats in the side leg of the canal at the bottom of the inclined plane.