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Caen Hill Locks
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Caen Hill Locks

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Caen Hill Locks
4.5
1,085 reviews
#3 of 24 things to do in Devizes
Points of Interest & Landmarks
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10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
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Tours & experiences
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Top ways to experience Caen Hill Locks and nearby attractions

The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
66 within 3 miles
Caen Hill Cafe
277
435 ft$ • Quick Bites • Cafe • British
The Black Horse
74
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • British • Pub
The Rowdey Cow Cafe and Ice Cream Parlour
381
0.7 mi$$ - $$$ • Cafe • British • Vegetarian Friendly
The George and Dragon
368
0.9 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • Seafood • British
Tea Inc.
262
1.1 mi$$ - $$$ • British • Contemporary • Healthy
The Peppermill Restaurant with rooms
809
1 mi$$ - $$$ • British • Grill • Vegetarian Friendly
The Cross Keys
67
0.8 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • British • Pub
Brogans
364
1.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Cafe • British
The New Society
146
1 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • British • Fusion
1 Spice
487
1.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Indian • Asian • Balti
See all
Attractions
44 within 6 miles
Wadworth Brewery
580
0.9 miBreweries
Wiltshire Museum
386
1.1 miSpeciality Museums • Art Museums
Rowdey Cow Farm Cafe
133
0.6 miFarms
Roundway Down Iron Age Hill Fort
54
0.7 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Kenavon Venture
87
1.1 miFerries
Hillworth park
40
1.1 miPlaygrounds
The Wharf Theatre
22
1.1 miTheaters
The Market Cross
8
1 miHistoric Sites
Drews Pond Nature Reserve
59
1.7 miNature & Wildlife Areas
Bowood House & Gardens
814
Historic Sites • Gardens
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,085 reviews
Excellent
754
Very good
307
Average
18
Poor
2
Terrible
4
Bailey T
Nottingham, UK75 contributions
Impressive set of Locks - steep terrain
Jun 2021 • Couples
Visited the Locks on a Saturday evening after quite a walk down the tow path along the canal.

The locks were impressive although there was a lack of signage other than at the top or bottom so we would expect children to struggle to stay interested between the top and bottom which is quite a walk (and quite a hill!).

There is a car park near the top which we didn't use and a cafe which was closed when we visited so cannot comment on. Best view of the locks was at the bottom so the walk back to the car would be a steep one.
Written June 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Anne S
Leeds, UK465 contributions
Badge of Honour for Narrowboaters
Aug 2021
We hired a narrowboat specifically to do this famous flight of locks which we have now completed both up and down. The locks are very well-maintained and the Canal & River Trust volunteers are very friendly and helpful. There is a little coffee shop at the top which does a lovely bacon sandwich or ice cream depending on which way you are going !
Written September 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Linders83
Salford, UK24 contributions
Well worth the trip
Dec 2021
Caen Hill is the only one of the "seven wonders of the waterways" in the south of England, and I had been meaning to visit for ages. I wasn't disappointed - it is a wonderful piece of engineering. I visited quite early in the morning on my way to Avebury so I wasn't able to sample the cafe but the walk along the towpath was great. Would recommend!
Written December 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Stephen A
Bury St. Edmunds, UK123 contributions
A worthwhile visit
Sep 2020
Visited on a warm weekday afternoon in September, and parked easily in the car park between the flight of locks and the jubilee woods. Started with an ice cream from the café (which also has the honesty box for the recommended £1 parking fee). We then walked down the towpath to the road bridge, then back up alongside the jubilee wood. Plenty of "resting places" and picnic tables so will follow another recent reviewer and take a picnic next time.
Written September 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Stokenightingale
Winchester, UK8 contributions
Why have l never been here before!!!
Sep 2020
Fabulous place. Quite busy but not an issue as it’s a big place. We split to 2 walking the whole length up and back and 2 mooching and nattering (with a walking stick and dog).
Other visitors friendly and well kept walkways. We saw a few people using the locks and it was fascinating for us - exhausting for them!
We started with a coffee at the cafe well distanced etc.

I would definitely recommend The Raven in Paulshot for a meal before or after as we had an amazing meal (we are 4 foodies). The pub has new owners in August 2020 and they were polite, aware and very attentive. 10/10
Written September 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
NottinghamFishcake
Nottingham26 contributions
Beautiful setting, the best CRT volunteers
Apr 2021 • Couples
The locks are both an amazing feat of engineering and beautiful, with the reservoirs housing all manner of wildlife.

What made our experience best of all were the Canal and River Trust volunteers who helped us achieve the flight in near record time! Cheery and informative.. we had a great day. Thank you
Written April 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Pete D
36 contributions
Up and Down
Aug 2021 • Solo
The area is scenic and the history impressive. Nice little tea room at lock 44. The locks are reasonably well maintained and the towpath is impressively wide though on much of the flight the surface is loose stone. This drifts into inconvenient areas of soft fine gravel and can be a hazard when cycling and if not it's just a nuisance because it saps the momentum of the bike and the energy you put into pedalling. Concrete channels meant to cope with runoff are worse than useless and often just fill with said gravel. At the top of the flight the towpath is properly paved and it would be better if it continued for the flights entire length. Not so impressive is the lack of civility amongst some of the volunteers who man the locks and some of the members of the team who use the quad bike. Most pull to one side and allow pedestrians and cyclists to pass them before they carry on. There are however, one or two who do not do this and carry on without slowing in the slightest. Very poor.
That said most of the volunteers are fantastic and deserve a medal or actual payment.

If you are on a boat, the flight is ok but a lot of the locks leak and the paddles and sluices are not all working which makes a slow job even slower and more to point quite frustrating. Still it's in better condition than much of the rest of the K&A as only the 'honey spots' seem to have any money spent on them, while the rest is neglected with little to no maintenance such as painting or greasing or proper repair. This has been the case for a number of years now and shows no sign of improvement. Perhaps the CRT should spend their money on maintenance and paid staff instead of inflated salaries for upper management. Overall in comparison to the rest of the network the K&A looks like a very poor cousin. Oh and watch out for the inept hire boaters who have no clue what they are doing and are a danger to themselves and others. Otherwise they an absolute PIA due to speeding and lack of control (see the attached photo showing lock damage caused by a hire boat from Sally Narrowboats of Bradford on Avon)
Written August 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Martin C
Sheffield, UK625 contributions
Engineering, History and Wildlife all together.
Sep 2021
We visited on a lovely sunny autumn day. Beautiful walk down one side of the locks where the "reservoirs" are then back up the other side. Full of wild life with herons and other birds. The locks are a masterpiece of engineering and hard to believe they were built in 1810. Great to see the boats going through. Fascinating and well worth the visit
Written October 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
rosemarysteve2961
Chichester, UK13 contributions
Great walk
Sep 2020 • Couples
A pleasant walk along the tow path. Watched narrow boats negotiate the locks and admired their resolve at tackling the great many locks. A charming tea room part way along to give well earned refreshment. A lovely walk but some dodging of cyclist required!!
The only cost involved is the parking cost.
Written September 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sarahrt2
Shepton Mallet, UK283 contributions
Love this place
Jul 2020 • Couples
Our second visit (5 years apart) but still a fantastic place to visit - beautiful scenery with a wide variety of natural plants, well laid out paths, plenty of wildlife and the opportunity to indulge in a completely relaxed way of life. Everyone we met were so very friendly and happy to stop and have a chat, and we enjoyed a snack at the cafe while paying for our carpark. Well worth a visit
Written July 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Caen Hill Locks (Devizes) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Caen Hill Locks
Caen Hill Locks is open:
  • Wed - Sun 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
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We recommend booking Caen Hill Locks tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Caen Hill Locks tours on Tripadvisor