Naburn Locks
This walk visits the pretty Naburn Locks on the River Ouse, just south of the city of York.
It's a lovely place for a stroll with riverside paths, a nature trail and a sensory garden. The area is good for wildlife so look out for red kites, kingfishers and herons as you make your way along the waterside paths. The site also includes the heritage buildings such as the forge, workshop, and the lock keeper’s cottage.
The area has an interesting history with the original lock and weir combination built in the 1750s. At the time it was one of the most impressive feats of canal enginerring in the country. In Victorian times a larger lock was opened by Queen Victoria's grandson with a splendid opening ceremony. The locks were once busy with barges transporting goods to and from York and Hull.
Postcode
YO19 4RU - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsNaburn Locks Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Naburn Locks Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Naburn Locks OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Naburn Locks Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
After exploring the locks you could take a stroll up the river to visit Naburn village. Here you can enjoy some refreshments at the Blacksmiths Arms. Outside there's two enclosed garden areas where you can relax with your meal on warmer days. There's a cosy interior too with wooden beams and a roaring fires. They do very good homemade food and have a good selection of ales too. You can find the pub in the village on Main Street with a postcode of YO19 4PN for your sat navs. The pub is also dog friendly if you have your canine friend with you.
There's also the Ship Inn in Acaster Malbis. The riverside pub has a lovely garden area where you can relax with a view over the water. Inside there's a cosy interior with a real fire. You can find them at postcode YO23 2UH for your sat navs.
The pub provides car parking and is also dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Head north and you can try the circular York River Walk in the city. The route visits some of the highlights of the area including Rowntree Park, York Millennium Bridge, Tower Gardens, the York Walls and York Castle. You can also pick up the long distance York Millennium Way and Foss Walk here.
Just to the east of the locks you can pick up the epic Trans Pennine Trail. The shared cycling and walking trail can be followed south to Riccall and Barlby.
For more walking ideas in the county see the Yorkshire Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Naburn Lock, River Ouse. The photo gives some idea of the size of Naburn Lock, though even this is dwarfed by some locks on the European waterways. Below here the river is tidal - next stop the North Sea! Passing Selby and Goole it is joined by the River Trent at Trent Falls then on to the Humber estuary.
The Weir Naburn Lock
Naburn Lock is almost dead centre of the O/S grid it occupies. This view is taken from the north looking downstream towards the locks. The boat on the left is a Yorkshire Water Patrol boat.
An island in the River Ouse at Naburn
This is the weir to the west of the island which divides the River Ouse at this point. The Lock Cottages are situated on the island whilst the Lock Gates are on the eastern side of the island.
The Ouse at Acaster Malbis. Just north of the locks.
The Blacksmiths Arms in Naburn village
A view of the River Ouse at Naburn village.