Foxton Locks is set to sparkle as the Canal & River Trust invites visitors to one of Leicestershire’s most spectacular Christmas events, taking place on Friday 28 November.
The charity, working with Foxton Locks Inn, Foxton Canal Museum and other businesses on site, is organising the event, which will see the historic site decked out in hundreds of festive lights. Oadby, Wigston & Harborough MP, Neil O’Brien, is set to carry out the big switch-on, with the illuminations leading all the way along the flight of 200-year-old locks.
Visitors will be able to browse the Foxton Locks Inn Christmas market, offering a selection of festive gifts and seasonal treats. The popular pub will also have a giant Christmas tree, Santa’s grotto, live music and hot food.
Foxton Canal Museum is staying open late for people to explore their local canal history, and the Top Lock café will be serving hot chocolate, soup and hot food. The Trust’s volunteers will be hosting festive family craft sessions in the Welcome Station at the Top Lock, giving people the chance to make pine-cone baubles and decorations for their Christmas tree. Boaters on site will also be getting into the festive spirit with a best-decorated boat competition.
The event is taking place between 4pm and 8pm with the lights being turned on at the Top Lock cottage at 5.30pm. The lights will be on daily from 3pm to 6pm, running through to New Year’s Day.
Jannette Warrener, destination & attractions manager for the Canal & River Trust, said: “Foxton Locks is a spectacular place at any time of the year, with its flight of ten locks carved into the Leicestershire countryside, but it’s particularly magical at Christmas time.
“We’re really looking forward to welcoming Neil O’Brien and seeing the whole site decked out in lights, bringing some festive cheer to the historic locks, museum and on-site pubs and cafes.
“It promises to be such a fun event with decorated boats, lots of festive food, music and crafts, as well as the chance to get started on the Christmas shopping, so bring the family and get in the festive mood.”
Foxton Locks is the UK’s longest, steepest flight of staircase locks, built by hand more than 200 years ago to help raise cargo-carrying boats 75ft uphill. Set in 34 acres of natural green space, the site is the perfect place for an autumnal walk and a visit to the canal museum, pubs and cafes on site.
