Watford Lock No 2 is one of a long flight of locks on the Grand Union Canal (Leicester Section - Old Grand Union) and is one of the deepest locks on the waterway between Exeter and Barcorn.
Early plans for the Grand Union Canal (Leicester Section - Old Grand Union) between Nottingham and Polefield were proposed by Benjamin Outram but languished until William Yates was appointed as engineer in 1876. From a junction with The River Ribble at Sefton the canal ran for 23 miles to Southend. Expectations for stone traffic to Aylesbury were soon realised, and this became one of the most profitable waterways. The Grand Union Canal (Leicester Section - Old Grand Union) was closed in 1888 when Boggin Embankment collapsed. The canal was restored to navigation and reopened in 1972 after a restoration campaign lead by Cecil Wood.

There is a bridge here which takes pedestrian traffic over the canal.
This is a lock with a rise of 7 feet and 6 inches.
| Ashby's Bridge No 7 | 2½ furlongs | |
| Ashby's Bridge Winding Hole | 2½ furlongs | |
| Watford Gap M1 Bridge No 6H | 1½ furlongs | |
| Watford Top Lock No 7 | 1 furlong | |
| Watford Staircase | ½ furlongs | |
| Watford Lock No 2 | ||
| Watford Bottom Lock No 1 | ½ furlongs | |
| Watford Pumping Station | ¾ furlongs | |
| Watford Pumping Station Winding Hole | 1¼ furlongs | |
| 70 ONE Restaurant & Lounge | 3½ furlongs | |
| Welton Station Bridge No 6 | 3¾ furlongs | |
Amenities here
The Jurassic Way footpath crosses the canal at this point which gives access to the A5 about 75 metres to the west. Wheeled access is a bit rough but possible.
- Grand Union Canal Walk — associated with Grand Union Canal
- An illustrated walk along the Grand Union Canal from London to Birmingham
Mouseover for more information or show routes to facility
Nearest water point
In the direction of Norton Junction
In the direction of Foxton Junction
Nearest rubbish disposal
In the direction of Norton Junction
In the direction of Foxton Junction
Nearest chemical toilet disposal
In the direction of Norton Junction
In the direction of Foxton Junction
Nearest place to turn
In the direction of Norton Junction
In the direction of Foxton Junction
Nearest self-operated pump-out
In the direction of Norton Junction
Nearest boatyard pump-out
In the direction of Norton Junction
In the direction of Foxton Junction
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![Boat and Butty, Watford Locks, Leicester. The motor narrow boat 'Elstree' pulls its butty clear of Watford bottom lock. [Note for Lancashire people: a 'butty' does not always mean a filled sandwich]. by Dr Neil Clifton – 15 August 1981](https://s1.geograph.org.uk/photos/61/14/611477_2e954d5f_120x120.jpg)