Fourteen Locks Canal Centre

About the museum

The Monmouthshire Canal was authorised by Act of Parliament in 1792 to carry iron and coal from the South Wales valleys to Newport. Its Crumlin Arm was 11 miles long with 32 locks, and the Cefn flight of 14 locks at Rogerstone, built to the design of the engineer Thomas Dadford Junior, lifts the canal 167 feet in about half a mile. The flight was completed by 1798 and was so busy that gas lighting was installed so that boats could work at night.

The locks are unusual in design, with five pairs, one triple set and a single lock linked by a system of pounds and ponds. They are a scheduled ancient monument. Restoration began in 2002 with lock 21, and locks 17 to 20 and their pounds were restored in 2010–2011 with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and other grants.

The Fourteen Locks Canal Centre is run by the Monmouthshire, Brecon and Abergavenny Canals Trust. It has a welcome desk staffed by volunteers, a craft shop, the Dadford Tea Room and a museum, and it holds events through the year. The canal towpath here is part of National Cycle Route 47.

Highlights

• Cefn flight of 14 locks, a scheduled ancient monument
• Canal centre with welcome desk, museum and craft shop
• Dadford Tea Room
• Canal Heritage Trail along the lock flight
• Events including activity trails, history talks and walks

Operated by

Monmouthshire, Brecon and Abergavenny Canals Trust (MBACT)

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The centre describes itself as family and dog friendly and holds events such as activity trails, forest school, family fun days and music festivals.

Getting there & parking

The canal towpath is part of National Cycle Route 47 and the Sirhowy Valley Walk.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The Dadford Tea Room serves locally sourced food, speciality coffee and fair-trade tea, including gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options. The craft shop sells handmade gifts by local artisans. Public toilets are available and a small donation is requested. Wi-Fi is mentioned only for the hireable Cefn Meeting Room.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 20 guests.

The Cefn Meeting Room can be hired by business and community groups for up to 12 people in meeting layout and up to 20 in cinema layout, with a buffet from the tea room if wanted. Bookings do not depend on the canal centre’s opening hours.

Plan your visit