Welcome
Foxton Locks is a place where the minds of engineers and the hard working hands of the navvy have shaped the landscape in a dramatic way. As well as the famous staircase of ten locks climbing up the hillside, there are also the remains of a gigantic boat lift.
The museum tells the story of the Lift, Locks and Lives associated with Foxton Locks. It is home to a treasure trove of artefacts and exhibitions; all housed in the reconstructed boilerhouse which once powered the boat lift.
OPENING TIMES:
ENTRY PRICE:
Winter Hours
February
Weekends only - 11am - 4.00pm
February HALF TERM
Open Monday 17th - Wednesday 19th - 11am - 4.00pm
MARCH
Weekends only - 11am - 4.00pm
ADULT £4
CHILD FREE
(Entry free for under 18s when accompanying a paying adult)
CONCESSION £3.00
(Over 60s, unemployed, students aged 18+, service personnel (including NHS, Canal & River Member, Blue Light Card)
CARER FREE
(Entry free when accompanying a paying visitor with additional needs)
Dogs are welcome in the museum & shop on a lead.
What's on 2025
EXHIBITION
Foxton Creates
12 April - 1 June
Discover the creativity of local young artists in this exhibition, featuring artwork by children from four primary schools as part of an Arts Council-funded project led by
Culture Leicestershire.
Festival of Boats
7 June - 28 September
Celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Inland Waterways Association's first Festival of Boats in Market Harborough, showcasing the event's rich history and impact on Britain's inland waterways.
Charlotte Ashman
4 October - 2 November
Experience life on the waterways through Charlotte's artwork, inspired by her everyday life aboard and the rich heritage of Britain’s canals. Her prints beautifully connect the past and present, showcasing the enduring legacy of those who shaped the canal system.
ACTIVITIES
Egg Elevator Challenge
7 March - 16 March
Engineering Marvel
7 March - 16 March
Discover the incredible science behind the Foxton Boat Lift. As part of British Science Week, explore the power of pulleys, gears, and hydraulics. Get hands-on with interactive displays and uncover the mechanics behind one of history’s most ambitious canal structures!
Tuesday Tours
5 April - End of October
Accompanied by knowledgeable guides, visitors will get the opportunity to venture onto the remains of the inclined plane, gaining insights into the history and engineering feats of this incredible piece of Victorian engineering.
Starting from outside the museum.
Tours run at 12pm, 1pm and 2pm
Family Trails
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Explore Foxton Locks with our free family trails during the school holidays. Each holiday there will be a different themed trail.
Art Packs
Unleash your creativity with our free art packs, available to borrow from the museum.
Make a donation to the museum
The Foxton Canal Museum is run by the Foxton Inclined Plane Trust which is a registered charity (No. 513241). Donations and bequests, large or small, are always welcome. A monetary donation will help preserve Foxton Canal Museum’s collection and the incredible stories of the people who lived and worked here for future generations, this in turn will enable the Museum to develop new exhibitions and broaden public access to its collections.
Foxton Canal Museum
Middle Lock
Gumley Road
Foxton
LE16 7RA
Telephone No: 0116 279 2657
Email: info@foxtoncanalmuseum.org
Foxton Canal Museum is an Accredited Museum (1644) operated by Foxton Inclined Plane Trust (charity no: 513241)