At A Glance
Foxton Locks and Naseby Battlefield are two of the best day trips from 14 Acres, and you can pair them with a walking route from Clipston for a single, unhurried day in the East Midlands countryside.
- Foxton Locks is a 17-minute drive (around 8 miles) from 14 Acres in Clipston.
- The lock staircase has 10 chambers and is a Grade II listed canal feature on the Grand Union Canal.
- Naseby Battlefield, site of the 1645 Civil War battle, is 5 miles from the estate and free to visit.
- The Clipston-to-Naseby footpath links the village to the battlefield in roughly 3 miles each way.
- All three locations sit within the same morning loop from The Barn, The Loft or The Cottage.
If you are staying at 14 Acres in Clipston and want a single, well-paced day out, my favourite combination is Foxton Locks in the morning, Naseby Battlefield after lunch, and a quiet walk back into the village before dinner. All three sit within a small loop on the Leicestershire and Northamptonshire border, so you do not waste a holiday driving long distances.
Below I have written it the way I describe it to guests when they arrive at The Loft or The Barn: how to get there, what to actually do at each stop, and where to eat. I have walked these routes myself and tested the timings, so the practicalities are real, not estimates from a map.
If you would rather start gentler, our things to do in Clipston guide opens up the village itself first, then loops out into the wider area. Either order works.
Visiting from 14 Acres? The Barn, The Loft and The Cottage all sit on our private estate in Clipston, walking distance to country trails and a short drive to the attractions in this guide.
Why Foxton Locks is worth the morning
Foxton Locks is genuinely one of the most photographed canal landmarks in England. The staircase climbs 75 feet through 10 lock chambers, in two flights of five, and was opened in 1814 to carry working narrowboats over a steep ridge on the Grand Union Canal. It is still operational, so you can usually watch a boat being worked through the chambers within an hour of arriving.
From 14 Acres in Clipston, the drive is short and pretty. Eight miles, through Husbands Bosworth, with one easy turn onto the lane leading down to the Foxton Locks car park. Allow 17 minutes door-to-car-park.
Once you are there, the locks themselves are the main draw, but I would actually start at the top with a coffee at The Top Lock café, then walk down the towpath to see the chambers from below, and finish with a slower amble along the canal. The full out-and-back is around an hour at a relaxed pace.
- Free car park (small charge in summer), open from early morning.
- The Inclined Plane Trust museum is open seasonally and is free.
- Bridge 61 and The Foxton Locks Inn both serve canal-side food and local ale.
- Boat trips from Foxton Boats run roughly hourly between April and October.
Naseby Battlefield: where the English Civil War turned
Naseby is the kind of historical site that does not look dramatic from the road and absolutely is once you understand what happened there. On 14 June 1645, Sir Thomas Fairfax and Oliver Cromwell led the Parliamentarian New Model Army to a decisive victory over King Charles I, and the battle is widely treated as the moment the war turned.
The battlefield itself is open landscape, criss-crossed by interpretation boards from the Naseby Battlefield Trust. There is no entry charge and the parking is on a quiet farm lane. It is genuinely fascinating to stand at the foot of the Royalist position and read the troop movements off the boards in front of you. For deeper context, the Naseby Battle and Visitor Centre hosts seasonal exhibits, lectures, and guided walks; I would check the official website for opening days before you set out: see the Naseby Battlefield Trust visitor information for the latest.
From The Loft, the drive to Naseby is around 5 miles, or 12 minutes by car. If you want to walk it, the Clipston-to-Naseby footpath runs roughly 3 miles each way through the fields, and the route is signposted and stile-friendly. I send most guests with sensible boots out this way.
The Clipston to Naseby walking route
This is the walk I recommend most often to guests staying at The Cottage who want one quietly memorable afternoon. The path leaves Clipston near All Saints Church, threads through hedged farmland, and emerges close to the Cromwell Monument above the battlefield.
It is genuinely peaceful. Open hilltops, hedgerow birds, and almost no one else on the route mid-week. You can lengthen it by looping back through Sibbertoft, or shorten it by parking at the battlefield and walking down into Clipston for a pub lunch instead.
If you want longer routes from the front door, our Northamptonshire walking trails round-up has a few more options that all start within a short drive of 14 Acres.
Stay at 14 Acres in the heart of the English countryside
Three luxury retreats on a private 14-acre estate near Clipston. The Barn, The Loft and The Cottage. Available individually or together for groups up to 19 guests. From £119 a night.
Where to eat: pubs near Foxton Locks and Naseby
For lunch, my two regulars are The Foxton Locks Inn (right at the top of the staircase, canal-side terrace, classic British pub menu) and The Bell Inn at Welford on the way back. Both do a good local ale and an honest Sunday roast.
If you want something more refined for dinner, the village pubs near Clipston, including The Bulls Head and The George at Great Oxendon, are within 10 minutes of 14 Acres and worth booking ahead at weekends. Our restaurants near The Cottage in Clipston dining guide has the full list.
Where to stay: The Loft, The Barn or The Cottage
All three of my retreats at 14 Acres make a great base for this loop. The Loft sleeps up to 6 with a private balcony over the lake, The Barn sleeps up to 8 across three super king bedrooms, and The Cottage is the snug couples option for two to three guests. Couples often choose The Cottage for a quieter weekend and I usually move families to The Barn so they have the open-plan kitchen and 10-metre glass wall to the garden.
All three properties include underfloor heating, luxury linens, smart TVs with Netflix, free fibre internet, breakfast provisions and free secure parking with EV charging. Stays start from £119 a night, with a 50 percent deposit at booking and the balance 30 days before check-in.
A note from Susan
“Foxton Locks, Naseby and the village itself sit on three sides of 14 Acres. I tell guests to do all three in one morning and afternoon, then come home to The Loft for a quiet glass of wine on the balcony. That is the right pace for this part of the country.”
More to explore at 14 Acres
- things to do in Clipston guide
- Northamptonshire walking trails round-up
- restaurants near The Cottage in Clipston dining guide
- All three of my retreats at 14 Acres
“It was perfect. Beautiful inside and out and the little details were so lovely. We went away with our 7 month old for my husband’s birthday and it was amazing for all of us. Communication with Susan was amazing, our stay felt luxurious, from the dreamy bed and sheets, to the generous breakfast.”
— Anika Kanti, via Airbnb Reviews (5/5)
Frequently asked questions
How far is Foxton Locks from 14 Acres in Clipston?
Foxton Locks is around 8 miles from 14 Acres, a 17-minute drive via Husbands Bosworth. Free parking is available at the locks (small seasonal charge in peak summer).
Is Naseby Battlefield free to visit?
Yes, the battlefield itself is free to walk and the Naseby Battlefield Trust interpretation boards are open access. The seasonal Battle and Visitor Centre may charge for indoor exhibits and guided walks; check the official website before you go.
Can you walk from Clipston to Naseby?
Yes. The signposted footpath runs roughly 3 miles each way through farmland and field gates. It is suitable for confident walkers in proper boots and links Clipston to the Cromwell Monument above the battlefield.
Can you take a boat trip at Foxton Locks?
Yes. Foxton Boats runs roughly hourly canal trips between April and October, and you can also hire a day-boat to go through the locks yourself. Booking ahead at weekends is sensible.
What is the best pub near Foxton Locks for lunch?
The Foxton Locks Inn sits right at the top of the staircase with a canal-side terrace and a classic British pub menu. Bridge 61 next to it is more compact and equally good for a quick lunch.
Where should families stay near Foxton Locks?
The Barn at 14 Acres sleeps up to 8 with a 10-metre glass wall to the garden and a fully equipped family kitchen. It is around 17 minutes by car from Foxton Locks and the same distance from Naseby.
Do I need to book Foxton Locks in advance?
No, the locks are open access. Boat trips and the visitor cafés should be booked in advance on summer weekends. Weekday mornings out of season are usually quiet.
Are the locks accessible?
The towpath at the top is largely level and step-free for a short distance. The staircase itself is steep with steps at each lock. The Top Lock café and the museum are accessible at the upper level.
Stay at 14 Acres in Clipston
Three boutique retreats on a private 14-acre estate in the Leicestershire and Northamptonshire countryside, walking distance from village trails and a short drive to all the attractions in this guide. From £119 a night.
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