The Locks

Opening times

In the summer months, the Foxton flight is manned by British Waterways lock-keepers between 8am and 7pm, seven days a week. You will need to arrive by 6.15pm to ensure that you are through the locks before they close.

You can check for any additional restrictions to navigation on the Leicester Line, and any changes to the published hours, by consulting Waterscape.com's stoppage pages

Lock operation

During the summer months, you will be guided through by a lock-keeper - but it can be helpful to understand how the locks work before you arrive.

• The locks are arranged in two 'staircases' of five locks each. Within each staircase, the top gates of one lock are the bottom gates of the next.
• Between one lock and the next, there is a 'side-pond' - a small reservoir off to the side. (This makes four side-ponds for each staircase.)
• As is standard for a staircase, you move between locks by draining one lock and filling the one below it. However, at Foxton, you will use the side-ponds to do this.
• You will begin by filling the lower lock with water from the side-pond. You do this by opening the red paddle. (You won't need to do this if the lock is already full.)
• You will then empty the upper lock into the side-pond. You do this by opening the white paddle. Once the two locks are at the same level, the boat can move between them.

Remember: "Red before white, and you'll be all right. White before red, you'll wish you were dead!"

Stay safe at the locks. Ensure that the safety catch is engaged before you wind up the paddle. When following another boat through the flight, you must leave an empty lock chamber between your boat and the one in front.

The locks can seem daunting at first, so come prepared and take it step by step.