Fourteen Locks Canal Centre
Explore historic canal locks and scenic towpath walks, with a charming cafe and visitor centre. Perfect for nature lovers and history buffs.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere
Fourteen Locks Canal Centre
Best Time
Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore historic canal locks and scenic towpath walks, with a charming cafe and visitor centre. Perfect for nature lovers and history buffs.
"A lovely choice of walks and a lovely cafe that you can either sit in or takeaway. Worth checking Fourteen locks out."
🚗 Parking Fees
Pay-and-display parking is available for a reasonable fee. Accepts NFC payments. :parking: :moneybag:
🚶♀️ Scenic Walking Routes
Explore diverse paths, including routes under the M4 and towards nature reserves. Great for dogs! :walking:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Fourteen Locks
Main canal area
Explore the historic series of locks, a fascinating remnant of the Union Canal's engineering past.
Canal Towpath Walks
Various paths
Enjoy scenic walks or bike rides along the well-maintained canal towpaths, suitable for all ages.
Visitor Centre & Cafe
Main building
Relax with refreshments at the cafe, browse the small shop, and learn about the canal's history.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Parking and Access
Exploring the Locks
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Parking Fees
Pay-and-display parking is available for a reasonable fee. Accepts NFC payments. :parking: :moneybag:
🚶♀️ Scenic Walking Routes
Explore diverse paths, including routes under the M4 and towards nature reserves. Great for dogs! :walking:
☕ Cafe Delights
Enjoy reasonably priced hot and cold food, drinks, and cakes. Lovely service from staff. :coffee:
🦆 Duck Food Availability
Duck food is sold at the centre but often sells out. Grab it early if you plan to feed the ducks. :duck:
Where to visit in South Wales, that is accessible via public transport
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Parking Fees
Pay-and-display parking is available for a reasonable fee. Accepts NFC payments. :parking: :moneybag:
🚶♀️ Scenic Walking Routes
Explore diverse paths, including routes under the M4 and towards nature reserves. Great for dogs! :walking:
☕ Cafe Delights
Enjoy reasonably priced hot and cold food, drinks, and cakes. Lovely service from staff. :coffee:
🦆 Duck Food Availability
Duck food is sold at the centre but often sells out. Grab it early if you plan to feed the ducks. :duck:
🚲 Cycling Friendly
The well-maintained towpaths make it an ideal spot for cycling and a good place to stop for a rest. :bike:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise Fourteen Locks for its picturesque canal walks and the pleasant cafe with reasonably priced refreshments. It's a well-maintained spot ideal for dog walkers and cyclists, offering a peaceful escape. However, some find the public toilets to be in a tired state.
"Our first time in visiting Fourteen Locks in over 20 years and what a great walk and what a great day. It was £1.50 for 4 hours of parking there's a pay as you park machine and you can use NFC. Inside the centre there is a coffee shop, a little shop, a visitor's desk and I could see some other rooms. There were also some public toilets however these were quite tired and not great. In the toilet that we used the seat wasn't even attached to the toilet. They do sell duck food. £1.50 a bag but had sold out. On coming out of the centre we followed the path around the right of the small pond and then started walking down the left hand side of the locks. Please don't expect to come here and see a long waterway route. There is some water at the top of the locks but the further down you go the drier it becomes, however it was very picturesque. We decided when we got to the bottom of the path where it branches to the left or the right to go left and follow the path underneath the M4 motorway and then we bared round the left again heading towards the malpas junction. 2/3 of the way down we spotted a sign for the Allt Yr Yn nature reserve and branched off there to have a little nose, before making our way back the Canal Centre. We stopped off at the coffee shop and enjoyed a latte and cappuccino and a large glass of tap water. They sell hot and cold food and there is also a chiller fridge with cold drinks. All very reasonable priced and lovely service from the staff."
Sarah McGregor
"It's a lovely choice of walks and a lovely cafe that you can either sit in or takeaway. There is an information centre aswell.
The car park is a pay and display at a reasonable price.
Worth checking Fourteen locks out"
Helen Cox
"It's an nice place, well maintained and along the canal, so it's a good place to stop for a rest if you're cycling or walking the canal. Can get ice cream and cold drinks there. Parking available."
Darren Bush
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The centre is accessible by car with pay-and-display parking available. For public transport, check local bus routes that serve the Newport area, as it's a popular spot for exploring South Wales.
While specific bus routes aren't detailed in the provided content, it's a known destination for exploring South Wales, suggesting public transport options are likely available from nearby towns like Newport.
There is a pay-and-display car park at the centre. You can use NFC for payment. The cost is around £1.50 for 4 hours.
Yes, the canal towpaths are well-maintained and ideal for cycling. It's a great place to stop for a rest if you're cycling the canal.
Fourteen Locks is a lovely spot for a day trip, offering walks and a cafe. It's a good option for exploring South Wales if you're looking for accessible outdoor activities.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
There is no specific entrance fee mentioned for the centre itself, but parking does have a charge. Entry to the grounds and walks is generally free.
Specific opening hours for the visitor centre and cafe are not provided, but reviews suggest it's a place people visit throughout the day for walks and refreshments.
No advance booking is typically required for visiting Fourteen Locks. It's an open area for walks and a visitor centre with a cafe.
The walking paths themselves are free to use. The only charge mentioned is for parking.
The visitor centre includes a coffee shop, a small shop, a visitor's desk, and public toilets.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
You can enjoy walks along the canal, explore the historic locks, visit the visitor centre and cafe, and observe the duck pond. It's great for dogs and cycling.
Reviews indicate that while public toilets are available, they can be 'tired' and not in the best condition, with one mention of a loose toilet seat.
Absolutely! Fourteen Locks is highly recommended for dog walking, with plenty of scenic paths along the canal.
The canal stretches in both directions, leading towards Risca and Newport. While there are paths, some sections further down the locks can become drier.
Yes, some viewpoints have been added to the canal, offering overlooks of the water, particularly towards the bottom section of the main area.
🍽️ ☕ Food & Dining
The cafe at the visitor centre serves both hot and cold food, as well as cold drinks from a chiller fridge. They also offer cakes.
Yes, reviews suggest that the food and drinks at the cafe are reasonably priced, and the service is lovely.
Yes, you can get ice cream and cold drinks at the centre, making it a nice stop during a walk or cycle.
The cafe offers options for both sitting in and taking away your food and drinks.
Yes, you can get a large glass of tap water at the cafe, which is a nice free option.
📸 📸 Photography
The historic canal locks, the picturesque towpath, the duck pond, and the surrounding natural scenery offer great photo opportunities.
Yes, the area around the canal and the duck pond is nice for nature photography, especially if you enjoy capturing wildlife and landscapes.
Definitely. The Union Canal locks are a key feature and provide excellent subjects for historical and industrial photography.
New viewpoints have been added along the canal, offering nice perspectives over the water, which are great for capturing scenic shots.
With many visitors bringing their dogs, it's a popular spot for dog photography, especially with the scenic canal backdrop.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
🐶 Dog Owners
🚴 Cyclists
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Union Canal's Legacy
Today, the fourteen locks are a picturesque feature, though it's important to note that the canal may appear drier in sections further from the main centre.
Exploring the Waterways and Trails
Beyond the immediate canal area, the centre serves as a starting point for longer explorations. The canal stretches towards Risca in one direction and the Brynglas area of Newport in the other, offering ample opportunity for extended walks or bike rides.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit