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Watford LocksElsan Disposal, Refuse Disposal & Recycling, Water Point & or Boaters Facilities, Toilets, Lock Flight, in or near to Long Buckby

Watford Locks can be found on the Grand Union Canal Leicester Line in Northamptonshire and quite near to Long Buckby.
What can be found at: Watford Locks
Opened in 1814 with seven locks in total with a rise of 52 feet 6 inches (16m). The top lock is known as Leicester Summit leading onto Foxton Locks.
Locks 3 to 6 are a Four-Rise set of staircase locks. Each of the four staircase locks has a side pond used for saving water. This means that each lock being filled takes half its water from the side pond and the rest from the lock or pound above.
When the Grand Union Canal was completed in 1929 there were various plans for 'upgrading' the Leicester Line. These included an Inclined Plane like that at Foxton Locks and also of widening the locks in keeping with the Grand Union Canal. However, these plans were shelved due to the Foxton Inclined Plane proving to be uneconomical and the lock widening because of competition from rail freight.
If you're on foot or bicycle or going by car, getting here can be tricky. There is very limited parking at bridge 6b on the B5385 which is the Daventry to Watford road. The walk to the locks from here is not long but the towpath can be muddy in wet weather.
Allegedly, there is car parking at Venture Caravans on the A5 which is level with lock 2. (A5, Toll House, Watling St, Northampton NN6 7UJ).
The Jurassic Way traverses Lock 3.
Find Watford Locks on our map.
Also shown will be Stand Alone: winding holes, moorings, water, elsan and refuse disposal etc.
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