Caen Hill Locks
Caen Hill Locks
4.5
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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The area
Address
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Best nearby
Restaurants
70 within 3 miles
Attractions
43 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- John Constable28 contributionsImpressive to say the leastThe locks here was on the wife's wish list as part of our long, long overdue visit to Wiltshire. Very, very impressed at the extent of human effort, ingenuity present at the start of the 19th century. A huge big up to the staff and volunteers who keep it going too. An awesome site to behold, plus a great tea room/ cafe near the topVisited September 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten September 13, 2023
- Rea A82 contributionsCaen Hill Locks - DevizesCaen Hill Locks - I took a photo at foot level and the picture of the locks didn't do it justice so fired up the drone and wow what a view. The locks were definitely worth a visit, never seen anything like this before. We went to the cafe near these locks and it was AWFUL, it was a very cold day outside so expected to walk into a warm cafe, no heating and it was freezing in there, we ordered a extra hot coffee (this didn't happen either) and the tea cake was served in a cardboard bowl (yes bowl shape), wooden knife so trying to butter it was impossibleVisited November 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten November 25, 2023
- 444beatrixKendal, United Kingdom50 contributionsAwesomeStunning flight of 21 locks. The engineering feat is breathtaking and it was a lot of fun watching barges navigate their way up the locks. Good cafe and car park. Visitor centre and really helpful volunteer staff.Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten March 28, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,095 reviews
Excellent
763
Very good
307
Average
18
Poor
3
Terrible
4
Bailey T
Nottingham, UK106 contributions
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.
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarahrt2
Shepton Mallet, UK370 contributions
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rosemarysteve2961
Chichester, UK13 contributions
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.
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NottinghamFishcake
Nottingham25 contributions
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
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anne S
Leeds, UK577 contributions
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PhilMerridan
St. Albans, UK495 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
We went up & down these locks in August when the weather was really hot. Take plenty of drinks & have a team operating the locks as it is very hard work. This time we only walked down beside them which was a lot better. The is a little cafe at the top.
Written October 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bernie L
Twyford, England, United Kingdom322 contributions
Sep 2020
We traveled the Caen locks in both directions in a barge and spent two evenings just mooching round the area.
The locks themselves are an incredible feat of engineering which is well worth a look. There are small information boards that give background. There are normally some canal trust workers or volunteers around for a chat, and to help the barges through. There is a small cafe at the top serving lovely ice creams. The whole area is very well maintained, clean, tidy and litter free.
It’s worth an hours wandering round and with boats pootling about there is plenty to see. There is also a small young broad leafed wood to one side which you can wander around. Very much in its infancy, but worth a look. Again there are a number of information boards giving more background information. There is a reasonably sized car park if you travel by car: honesty box for payment in the cafe. If the weather is good there are superb views from the far side of the car park.
The locks themselves are an incredible feat of engineering which is well worth a look. There are small information boards that give background. There are normally some canal trust workers or volunteers around for a chat, and to help the barges through. There is a small cafe at the top serving lovely ice creams. The whole area is very well maintained, clean, tidy and litter free.
It’s worth an hours wandering round and with boats pootling about there is plenty to see. There is also a small young broad leafed wood to one side which you can wander around. Very much in its infancy, but worth a look. Again there are a number of information boards giving more background information. There is a reasonably sized car park if you travel by car: honesty box for payment in the cafe. If the weather is good there are superb views from the far side of the car park.
Written September 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linders83
Salford, UK22 contributions
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pete1984
42 contributions
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)
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martin C
Sheffield, UK597 contributions
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How long does it take to climb all locks
Written July 26, 2018
walking about 40 mins, cycling 15 mins, in a boat 4-6 hrs depending on the traffic of other boats
Written August 4, 2018
Anywhere in devizes showing the joshua v parker boxing this Saturday night? Thanks in advance.
Written March 28, 2018
Apologies for not getting back to you. However I wouldn't have known the answer anyway. Sorry.
Written April 4, 2018
Magda R
Southampton, United Kingdom
hi, i would like to no if i can hire a narrow boat for half a day,and can my disabled husband get on it without any problems.how much would it cost. thank you
Written August 8, 2016
You can hire narrow boats but I couldn't tell for how long sorry
Written August 10, 2016
Is there any help doing the flight? I'm on a narrowboat and was fine going down but coming back up up will be a problem as I have been I'll and my 72 year old husband Will not be able to do it on his own. Happy to pay for help.
Written March 7, 2016
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