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.

Mooring here is impossible (it may be physically impossible, forbidden, or allowed only for specific short-term purposes). It's in the middle of the staircase lock flight. Mooring before and after the staircase is not possible either.
This is a group of four locks with a rise of 31 feet 7 inches (9.63 metres).
| Kilsby Road Bridge No 8 | 3¾ furlongs | |
| Ashby's Bridge No 7 | 2 furlongs | |
| Ashby's Bridge Winding Hole | 1¾ furlongs | |
| Watford Gap M1 Bridge No 6H | 1 furlong | |
| Watford Top Lock No 7 | ½ furlongs | |
| Watford Staircase | ||
| Watford Lock No 2 | ½ furlongs | |
| Watford Bottom Lock No 1 | 1 furlong | |
| Watford Pumping Station | 1¼ furlongs | |
| Watford Pumping Station Winding Hole | 1¾ furlongs | |
| 70 ONE Restaurant & Lounge | 4 furlongs | |
Amenities nearby at Watford Lock No 2
- 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
There is no page on Wikipedia called “Watford Staircase”



![Watford staircase, Grand Union Canal [Leicester section]. Looking down to locks 5, 4 and 3, from the footbridge over the tail of lock 6. by Christine Johnstone – 06 September 2017](https://s1.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/05/56/37/5563741_344834af_120x120.jpg)


























