Foxton Locks

Foxton Locks is one of the great engineering set-pieces of the English canal network, two staircases of five locks climbing the hillside on the Grand Union, with the ghostly earthworks of the old inclined plane alongside. From the air the geometry of the ten-lock flight is superb, and the surrounding Leicestershire farmland, moorings and canalside pubs frame it nicely. This is a honeypot, though, so plan carefully. The land is owned by the Canal and River Trust, whose policy asks operators to seek permission before taking off from or landing on their towpaths and property; hobby flights are common but you are technically on CRT land, so the courteous move is to launch from adjacent public ground or the road verge and keep clear of boats and people. Weekends are heaving with walkers, boaters and families, making both TOAL and line of sight awkward, and the valley funnels wind along the cut. Fly early on a weekday when the locks are quiet and the low sun rakes across the staircase. Watch for overhead trees near the top lock and the frequent gongoozlers on the balance beams. No airport FRZ affects the site.