caen hill locks

910JohnL

If you are able, walk the full length of the locks. I think there are circa 24 in all. It is very interesting if you know very little about locks. A nice warm sunny day is ideal. There is the Caen Locks Cafe for refreshments, and at the Devizes end there is the Black House pub/ restaurant. But must say, in my opinion, the food here is poor and not worth the money.

North_Lodge

Enjoyable time spent walking up and down the locks and watching the canal boats pass through - this was February so probably very different at peak season. Pleasant seats at various points so could take a picnic although there is a cafe at the Locks which even in the winter was fairly busy.Car parking is charged. Paths reasonably suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. If you use a sat nav it will take you to the top of the road by the bridge so follow the brown signs which will take you to the car park which is further down. You can extend the time you spend here by walking on past the locks. One pub at the top end of the locks on the main road which overlooks the canal.

john210364

Had a very enjoyable walk along canal but a bit muddy in places but only due to rain day befor. But well worth seeing all the locks .

209richardk

Fantastic bit of engineering at its best..great for walking or cycling with lots of natural wildlife.I would recommend this to anyone who loves the great out doors.

PTRaggett

This long lock flight is impressive. It abounds with wildlife, canal boats, cyclists and walkers.Last week the sight of birds of many types standing on thin sheets of ice was just idyllic. Generally the towpath is in great condition and even after heavy rain only a few places develop muddy pools.Standing at the bottom and looking up the flight is just as impressive as standing at the top looking down, though the latter affords the backdrop of countyside to the horizenFrom the very first lock to the very last is about 2.5 miles, but with the time and the energy to ascend and descend a long hill it is a most rewarding experience, perhaps stopping off for refreshment at the cafe in the middle of the flight or the pub at the top.As a local I feel blessed to have this on my doorstep and a hearty thanks to the hundreds of volunteers, who over the last 40 odd years restored and now maintain the canal and the surrounding wildlife habitats.as a valuable amenity for all to enjoy, what is more it's free to walkers.

850martine

Can't help but be in awe of the Caen Hill flight of locks. Living in Devizes & seeing them, along with much of the canal transformed over the last 30 years is amazing - never stop enjoying walking/cycling the towpaths.

StripeyBlue

Canal-side towpath walks along 16 locks in a flight of 29 on this part of the Kennet & Avon, between Rowde and Devizes. There are some great videos of this stretch of the canal on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrQ6FcktvlMhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WF74dYENLfAhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7Iz1Mh_mrUhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILlV9SnL9rkInteresting to see how the lock gates work and to know the history. Built in 1810 to get cargo up the steep Caen Hill near Devizes. The success of the railways saw the demise of the locks but they were restored & reopened in 1990 & are well maintained by the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust. There are big overflow pools which form areas of nature reserve with reed beds and lots of wildlife. I always see Herons there. There's an ice cream cafe at Caen Hill and several pubs beside the river where you can eat outside.

466deel

Well worth a visit at any time, you can take a leisurely walk along the canal and watch the boats come up through the locks. There is a very nice café or you can walk along to the pub.

996dougc

On a any day of the week, in almost any weather the locks are well worth the time spent to visit. A not to challenging walk from top to bottom and back. Good little café at about the half way point for a decent cup of coffee, bacon butty and slice of cake. Best car park is probably alongside café.

Saramand

This is a lovely walk to do. If you start at the very bottom you can see all of the boats going through the locks and there is a lovely cafe half way up, or you can carry on and go into Devizes.

DinerSmurf

There's something unbelievably captivating about the idyllic scene of a canal winding its way through the English countryside. Caen Hill is quite unique in being able to furnish the largest number of locks you will ever be able to see all at once. There are 29 locks in all but the sight from the bottom of the hill of the 16 closely grouped ones in the middle as they rise into Devizes is both mesmerising and unforgettable.A wonderful spot for a walk or just to sit by the side of the canal and watch the world go by, some on narrowboats. Do not forget your camera!

ericc810

We went on Sunday so parked in the town FOC and walked downhill. We then walked around Rowde cut across some fields and came back up the locks. Lots of info boards around telling you about the history of the locks and the old buildings in Rowde. Few cafes / pubs along the way too. Walked about 6.5 miles in total. Slightly damp underfoot though

mark24655203

Wonderful day out if hot and sunny! Has the longest amount of locks in the UK within a distance of half a mile.Tea shops, wild life and just wonderful fresh air.

pauldQ7419RD

Seeing the feat of engineering as there were about 27 locks over a 2 mile stretch of the canal. Wonderful views and the quaint cafe along the way

450MikeW

good to visit when either walking or cycling the tow path. there is also a campsite at the bottom of the flight and devices not far from the top which can be reached via the towpath on the right hand side (facing uphill)