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River Foss

The River Foss runs through Foss Crooks Woods near Oulston Reservoir and continues South through the Vale of York to the River Ouse near the centre of York. Passage through Castle Mills Lock is managed by our volunteers.

River Foss Map

Nofolk crab boat going through Castle Mills Lock on the River Foss

News

York lock reopened thanks to IWA

Boating

Nofolk crab boat going through Castle Mills Lock on the River Foss

Silver Propeller Challenge

Wormalds Cut, River Foss

York

Facts & Stats

1.3 miles

(2.09km)

The length of the River Foss that is navigable

1 lock

Protection

The only lock on the Navigation is Castle Mills Lock which is just upstream of the Environment Agency’s flood barrier which protects the Foss from the floodwaters of the Ouse. Book passage through Foss Lock.

1796

Opened

The River Foss was historically navigable for nearly 12 miles up to Strensall and had six locks.

From Foss Crooks Woods to York

The River Foss was historically navigable for nearly 12 miles up to Strensall and had six locks.

The Foss Navigation opened in 1796 and was extended in 1804. It was sold to York Corporation in 1852, and all but the last mile and Castle Mills Lock closed in 1859. Rowntrees bought the wharf and warehouse that had originally been part of Leethams Mill at the junction with the Wormalds Cut which was in use until the 1980s, and barges were bringing 200 tonnes of news print per week into York from Goole until 1997.

Book Passage through Castle Mills Lock

Castle Mills Lock on the River Foss in York is operated on request by volunteers from IWA North Riding Branch, as a free service to all boaters.

Book a Passage

To book a passage through Castle Mills Lock, at least two days’ notice is needed. Please note that all passages are subject to water levels in the River Foss.

Phone: 01494 932731
Or email: [email protected]

Navigating the Foss

There is no overnight mooring available on the River Foss, so it is necessary to book both passages. Boaters are requested to pass back down through Castle Mills lock within 2 hours. It is, however, an attractive mile-and-a-half of secluded and interesting waterway for a return trip within the day. Larger boats are advised to turn at Wormalds Cut; a 40’ narrowboat can turn further upstream; or two narrowboats breasted nose-to-tail can use one to drive up and the other to drive back.

Waterway notes

Branch

North Riding Branch

Useful info

Castle Mills Lock is operated by IWA North Riding Branch volunteers. Book your passage

Waterway news

Nofolk crab boat going through Castle Mills Lock on the River Foss

News

York lock reopened thanks to IWA

Boating

Waterway underfunding

Hundreds of miles of waterways – along with their unique heritage and habitats – are currently starved of funding and rely on constant lobbying by us to safeguard their future.

Sustainable Boating

We want boating on canals and rivers to be more sustainable and – even though the current overall contribution to UK carbon emissions is very small – we want to help reduce emissions on the waterways.

Waterways Heritage at Risk

Britain’s canals and rivers are a unique, living heritage. But that heritage is at risk – from urban development, lack of protection, loss of skills and knowledge and climate change.

You can help Save Waterways Heritage.

Waterway restoration

Restoring the UK’s blue infrastructure – our inherited network of navigable canals and rivers – is good for people and places.

Local activities

Nofolk crab boat going through Castle Mills Lock on the River Foss

Silver Propeller Challenge

Wormalds Cut, River Foss

York

LOVE YOUR WATERWAYS

Britain's waterways are vital; together we can campaign for them now and for the future.