🚶♀️⚓ Boats, Barges and a Brilliant Walk 🚶♂️🍦
2025 Waterway Festival
Foxton and Market Harborough
Saturday 7th June and Sunday 8th June
Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the 1950
IWA Festival of Boats and Arts held in Market Harborough
To be based at Foxton with a cavalcade to
Market Harborough on the Saturday
Featuring historic and private boats,
floating traders, land based stalls,
food, ice cream, music and much more…
Ahoy, walkers! Fancy something a little different?
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the 1950 IWA Festival of Boats and Arts, we’re taking a walk with a watery twist! This year’s event is based at Foxton, with a cavalcade of historic and private boats making their way up the canal from Market Harborough on Saturday — and we’re going to catch them in action!
Here’s the plan:
We’ll hop aboard the LC4 bus from Fleckney at 9:25am opposite Batchelor Road to Market Harborough, have a good nosey around the wharf (floating traders! food! music! ice cream!), and then stroll the easygoing 6-mile towpath to Foxton. No hills, no stiles, just a scenic canal-side wander with boats chugging past. Bliss.
Once at Foxton, we’ll soak up the festival vibes and refuel at one of the local hostelries — pint optional, but highly recommended.
And the way back?
Well, we’re keeping that flexible. Choose your own adventure:
🚌 Jump on the LC4 again
🚶 Towpath it home for a peaceful amble
🥾 Or go full explorer mode via Gumley and Saddington
The return route will be a group decision on the day, based on legs, weather, and thirst levels.
Whether you’re here for the history, the towpath, or just the chance to see a boat called “The Slippery Otter,” this is one not to miss.
Come along, bring your best walking shoes, and let’s make it a canal-tastic day out!