Caen Hill Locks

This flight of 16 locks may be the most impressive anywhere on the UK's waterways.

They were engineer John Rennie's solution to climbing the very steep hill in Devizes, and were the last part of the 87 mile route of the K&A to be completed.

Because of the steepness of the terrain there was not the space to use the normal arrangement of water pounds between the locks. As a result, the 16 locks utilise unusually large side ponds to store the water needed to operate. The Caen Hill Locks are part of a longer 29-lock flight at Devizes, all packed into just over two miles.

Boaters and walkers alike can recover from the exertions of climbing the flight at the Caen Hill Cafe, delightfully situated at the top of the locks.

View attraction map »

Back to list »