explore the history of WELCOME TO the inclined plane FOXTON LOCKS

Foxton Locks is a fabulous family day out, whatever the weather. The whole family will enjoy a fun-packed visit Foxton Locks is home to two amazing Behind The BoilerHouse you will see the evidence of The ‘Foxton Discovery’ App uses the latest to Foxton Locks, situated just 4 miles west another amazing feat of engineering: A fine example of Foxton Discovery of . Surrounded by feats of engineering in the heart of grand Victorian industrial construction – the Inclined technology to recreate the Inclined Plane Boat Lift. By using your smart phone or tablet device Leicestershire’s beautiful countryside, you will the Leicestershire countryside. Plane Boat Lift. Designed at a time when canals were Download the free App for information on the the mass transport system for England the boat lift was you can see the boat lift magically appear experience all that this unique waterway locks, Inclined Plane Boat Lift, places to eat and built to help improve the capacity of the canal network. before your eyes, all in the exact position boats landmark has to offer – colourful narrowboats, The Grade II listed locks on the Leicester Line of drink and the Discovery Trail. The full story is told in The BoilerHouse. would have made their journey in the past. the famous flight of 10 locks and the new the are over 200 years old. They BoilerHouse virtual experiences. demonstrate how 19th century canal engineers solved At the base of the locks is a canal-side shop and two The 'Foxton Discovery' App is now available in the problem of getting boats up and down a steep hill. pubs: Bridge 61 and Foxton Locks Inn. the App Store. It is free to download but requires This exciting new Discovery App also a £3.99 in-App purchase to unlock all of its features. provides additional information including: This impressive flight of ten locks is the longest set The locks and surrounding area are open and accessible FIVE HANDY TIPS TO ENSURE YOU MAKE THE to the public all year round. The network of footpaths By upgrading you will gain free admission into of staircase locks in Britain. It takes an average of 45 N Detailed explanations and multimedia MOST OF YOUR VISIT: and towpaths provide ideal walking and cycling The BoilerHouse and enjoy the full Inclined minutes for boats to travel the entire flight and on a experiences for the Discovery Trail Go to www.foxton-locks.co.uk and download the ‘Foxton busy day as many as 40 boats can make the trip. The opportunities with a choice of many routes. Plane Boat Lift virtual reality experience. Discovery’ App. Don’t worry if you don’t have a smartphone, keepers will be busy directing the traffic, making there’s still plenty of information to help you plan your visit. use of the passing pond in the middle of the flight. N If you upgrade the App you will gain Fascinating Facts: Make The BoilerHouse (admission fees apply) your first free entry into The BoilerHouse visit when you arrive – you can download the App there Alongside the locks you can see the side ponds which The locks were designed by Benjamin Bevan. Building work started on Foxton Locks in 1810 and finished if you haven’t ahead of your visit. provide reserves of water for the locks and prevent N Looking glass reality which will provide wastage. These ponds are a haven for local wildlife, in 1814. Learn about the life and people of the Inclined Plane a digital version of how the Inclined through interactive exhibitions, digital recreations and including ducks, heron and water vole. Water in the locks is controlled by paddles – red paddles exploring Foxton Locks itself. to fill the locks and white paddles to empty them. Plane Boat Lift would have looked To find out more about how the locks operate, make Explore Foxton Locks trail whilst taking in the picturesque In its heyday at busy times it could take five hours waterways and countryside. Make sure you stop off at the sure you pay a visit to The BoilerHouse. or even longer, to get through Foxton Locks. N Foxton Quest exploration game site of the lift at the Inclined Plane. If you have the full In 1900 the boat lift was built and the locks were version of the App bring along your tablet or mobile device At the top of the flight of locks, pause to look at the allowed to fall into decline. and you will see a boat magically appear before your eyes! stunning views across the Leicestershire countryside. The development of rail transport saw a decline in canal To download the App, simply visit the Take time to listen to the old lock keeper in the Top Once you have enjoyed all of the exciting activities, make traffic and the lift closed in 1911. Google Play Store, Apple App Store or time to stop off and refuel at one of the pubs, cafes Lock Coffee Stop and enjoy some well-earned The increase of leisure traffic has seen the canals www.foxton-locks.co.uk before you arrive. or picnic areas. refreshments. and Foxton Locks experience a new lease of life.

HOW TO FIND US

Foxton Locks is on the Leicester Line of the Grand Union Canal 4 miles west of TOP LOCK Market Harborough and close to the village of Foxton. The site has two car parks FOXTON BRIDGE EVENTS – long stay and short stay – both are pay and display. COFFEE STOP FOXTON By car: SAT NAV: LE16 7RA LOCKS 61 From the A6: Travelling north or south follow the brown tourist signs. When heading towards Market Harborough on the B6047, turn right towards Take a rest and refuel at the Top Lock Coffee Foxton and left towards Gumley. The locks are accessed from Gumley Road. Please avoid passing through either Gumley or Foxton villages. INN Stop which is situated at the top of the flight Foxton Locks has an exciting calendar of events that all From junction 20 of the M1 follow A4304 to Lubenham and follow the brown of the family can enjoy. tourist signs. of locks. Enjoy a coffee and an ice-cream in what was The Top Lock Car Park is a long stay car park and costs £1.50* per day. The Events start during Easter with a family friendly Easter Bottom Lock Car Park is for shorter stays and costs £2.00* for up to four hours. LOCKS once the Lock Keeper’s cottage. You can Both car parks are pay & display. If you pay for your parking by phone on Egg Hunt. There’s also a series of activities during May arrival it will cost £1.50* for the whole day – call 01895 262 122. Car parking choose from a wide selection of hot and cold Bank Holiday. LEICESTERSHIRE is free after 5pm . There is a special offer available at Foxton Locks Inn. food and drinks plus eight flavours of locally If you spend £15 or more on food at Foxton Locks Inn, they will refund your During the third week of June the Foxton Locks Festival parking cost, simply present your ticket when paying (the pay & display made ice cream. THE PERFECT DAY OUT FOR ALL THE FAMILY machine provides two tickets). *Charges correct at time of going to print takes place. This is a great day out for all the family For opening times please visit www.foxton-locks.co.uk around the famous Foxton Locks. With crafts, Saxons, By bus Foxton Locks, Gumley Road, hands-on activities, live music plus much more. FREE For information on travelling to Foxton Locks by bus, please visit Foxton, Leicestershire, LE16 7RA www.centrebus.info to plan your journey. PARKING Enjoy a pint and a meal at the award-winning Tel: 07473 891305 AFTER 5PM Information on boat hire and boat trips from the locks is available from Foxton AT During the August Bank Holiday bring along your THE BOTTOM Boat Services. For more details, visit: foxtonboats.co.uk Foxton Locks Inn, any time of the year. The Bridge 61 is a small traditional canal-side pub Teddy for a Teddy Bear’s Picnic and follow the Teddy CAR PARK popular venue offers a full bar and restaurant which is situated at the bottom of the locks. Trail and claim your prize at The BoilerHouse. Also, For more information on what to see and do in Leicester and Leicestershire please visit; menu and is the perfect place for all-season Watch the boats go by whilst enjoying a during the summer holidays, children can get involved WEB: www.foxton-locks.co.uk TEL: 0116 299 4444 all-weather dining with its magnificent new variety of local ales, speciality ciders plus hot and become a junior lock keeper. EMAIL: [email protected] heated and covered terrace. drinks and snacks. Visit us on Facebook at goleicestershire SHORT Foxton Locks Inn hosts musical events throughout the Follow us on Twitter at @loveleics year. This guide has been produced by Leicester Shire Promotions Limited, the official The Inn is situated at the base of the Inclined Soak up the atmosphere at this authentic destination management organisation for Leicester and Leicestershire. All information Plane. There is parking close by. The Inn is canal-side pub, which is in what is thought to Find out more about events and days out by visiting was correct at the time of going to press. Leicester Shire Promotions cannot accept BREAK liability for inaccuracies and omissions in, or subsequent alterations to information open from 11am during the summer and be the old accommodation quarters for the www.foxton-locks.co.uk supplied. You are advised to check opening times, prices etc, with establishments before your visit. Large print format is available. Please call 0116 225 4000. 12pm in the winter months. workers of the Inclined Plane and is decorated Brought to you by In partnership with: with traditional canal artefacts. It has a snug For opening times please visit www.foxton-locks.co.uk with a serving-hatch bar and a larger room Lower Lock, Gumley Road, Foxton, BOAT TRIPS Market Harborough LE16 7RA with wide doors that open out onto the explore the history of Tel: 0116 279 1515 waterfront. The cosy venue gets even cosier in Enjoy time out and some tranquility on a From Easter to October passenger trips run the inclined plane © Leicester Shire Promotions 2015 7-9 Every Street, Town Hall Square, winter with its open fire keeping things toasty short break in the Foxton Locks area. The from the bottom basin. Check on 0116 279 2285 Leicester LE1 6AG for times. Self-drive boats can be hired for the day SPEND £15 OR MORE AND GET FREE CAR PARKING for you when you visit in the colder months. ideal get away from it all where you can enjoy Leicester Shire Promotions is a partnership OFFER between Leicestershire County Council, Leicester award-winning food, peaceful waterways and If you spend more than £15 on food at Foxton Locks Inn, we City Council, the Leicester and Leicestershire Open every day; details on www.foxtonboats.co.uk Upon presentation of this guide, you will receive 10% off Enterprise Partnership and the private sector. will refund your car parking. Simply present your car parking a cosy bed at the end of day’s exploration. ticket (ticket machine provides 2 tickets). Terms & conditions Bottom Lock, Gumley Road, Foxton, the Vagabond public boat trips (not applicable on Bank apply – please visit www.foxton-locks.co.uk for more details. Market Harborough LE16 7RA For short break offers please visit Holidays). T&Cs apply – please see www.foxton-locks.co.uk Tel: 0116 279 2285 www.goleicestershire.com

www.foxton-locks.co.uk STAY AWAY FROM THE EDGE (SAFE) Learning to be safe near water is an Explore the picturesque waterways with a walk along the canal important lesson for us all. The Canal paths, through local villages and lush farmlands. & River Trust’s campaign ‘Stay Away From the Edge (SAFE) offers ways to Don’t forget after all of that walking to stop off for a refuel at Foxton make children (and their adults!) aware of Locks Inn, Bridge 61, Top Lock Coffee Stop or you might want to do a A FABULOUS DAY OUT AT FOXTON LOCKS water safety through special volunteer-led bit of gongoozling: to leisurely watch the passage of boats, from the bank sessions and exciting challenges. There of a canal, lock or bridge. The BoilerHouse is Foxton Locks’ exciting are suggestions for class-led activities new space. Originally, the building was home and assemblies, plus our popular FREE to the boiler and mechanical workings that child-friendly water safety booklets too. powered the Caissons (loaded boat containers) Visit https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/ up and down the Inclined Plane. Now after explorers/water-safety to find out more. extensive refurbishment, it shows not only how it all worked, but also brings to life what it was like to live and work on the canals and locks of the Victorian waterways.

Containing many fascinating exhibits of the time, The BoilerHouse demonstrates how tough it was to make a living showing how families survived the harsh conditions of 19th century canal life.

The BoilerHouse does much more than simply display these original artefacts, it allows you to interact with them. The centrepiece being an interactive game where the whole family can stoke the boiler to create the right

conditions for the Inclined Plane to successfully To make the most of your visit, download the operate. When you achieve the exact boiler free Foxton Discover App – either ahead of conditions, the loaded barges make their your visit or at The BoilerHouse. Upgrade the journey up and down the Inclined Plane, all App to give you views of a virtual reality in real time. Progress is visible on large Inclined Plane Boat Lift, take part in the projection screens where the Inclined Plane Foxton Quest to solve an age old mystery can be seen operating in a fully recreated and explore Foxton Locks site on the virtual reality world. Hearing the sounds of Discovery Trail. the boiler coming up to temperature, with dials to monitor, and the Caissons moving, this If you upgrade the App you will gain discounted becomes a completely enthralling experience. entry into The BoilerHouse. Visit www.foxton-locks.co.uk to plan your visit and Immerse yourselves in the world of the “Lifts, download the App. Lives and Locks” with a state of the art visual © Canal & River Trust experience which will give you a fascinating Further details about the Foxton Locks Inclined insight into the history of the locks and the Plane Trust and the events it arranges can be The Inclined Plane marvel of the Inclined Plane Boat Lift. Enjoy found at www.fipt.org.uk story videos and explore the workings of a During your visit to Foxton Locks you can marvel at not just one but two real loaded boat - climb on board! incredible feats of engineering designed to move boats up a steep hill. The BoilerHouse cannot be missed as part As well as the incredible staircase of locks, the remains of the Inclined of your visit to Foxton Locks. Plane Boat Lift are still very much in evidence and now, thanks to digital During your trip to Foxton visit the steep grassy slope, the Inclined Plane. Marvel at how technology, you can step back in time to witness in virtual reality the lift the lift was operated by using the Foxton Discovery App. in operation. By upgrading to the premium Foxton Discovery App, you can access the latest in digital The Boat Lift was originally built as a solution to operational technology to see exactly how the Inclined Plane Boat Lift would have looked and operated. restrictions imposed by the narrow lock flight. By using your smart phone or tablet device you can see the Boat Lift magically appear in front of your eyes – all in the exact position boats would have made their actual journey and all in It was opened in 1900 and carried boats up the hill in giant tanks real time. of water. It closed 11 years later because it was too expensive to run and traffic reverted back to using the locks. It was dismantled in 1928. Plan your visit to Foxton Locks and don’t miss your chance to marvel at this amazing virtual recreation - a unique bit of waterways history.