Hatton Locks, one of the sweet points of the midlands canal system. Or so I’m told by Dean Davies, our Waterways Manager of the West Midlands C&RT. So much so that C&RT sought and got volunteers to help boaters with the locks and greeting of visitors.

There are 21 locks numbered 26 to 46. The most dramatic visual collection being looking from 37 up to 42…like a shortened Caen Locks flight (Kennet and Avon canal). All are large double locks and really quite majestic viewed from downstream.

Whenever the sun shines you’re sure to find many visitors swarming around Hatton Hill Bridge 54 and the Cafe and shop just two hundred metres west of there at Lock 46; this serves wonderful value snacks with both indoor and outside lawn seating plus canal magazines, maps and narrowboat products. The weekend or summer holiday atmosphere here is well worth a visit on a day of clement weather. If you’re a car visitor park at Bridge 54 and have a great relaxing day. The Waterman pub on a hillock beside the canal and opposite the Cafe is a location gem with lawn seating overlooking the downward vista of the canal.

My preference away from the crowds is Bridge 52 with its splendid cottage and flowerbeds (usually) – and also Hatton Bottom Lock 26, just near the Warwick Parkway rail station.

Just west of Lock 46 (3/4 mile walk) is Hatton Country World – Hatton Farm Village and Shopping Village – worth a visit. Just east of Lock 26 (1 mile) is Warwick centre and castle, both superb!

My slideshow follows my the  usual route I walk which is east/west from Lock 26 to Lock 46. Why? Well on a sunny afternoon the sun is behind you and brings the whole scene to gloriously yellow coloured life.

Below is a Google map of the flight and area.


View Hatton Locks in a larger map