The Cefn Flight was completed in 1799 as part of the Crumlin Arm of the Monmouthshire Canal.
The locks were specifically designed to transport coal from the valleys to the port of Newport.
The 14 locks occupy one of the steepest gradients on the entire British canal network.
A single horse could haul a loaded canal boat weighing up to 28 tons along the waterway.
The entire flight overcomes an elevation change of 160 feet within a very short distance.
The centre is run largely by volunteers committed to the restoration and preservation of the canal infrastructure.
Fourteen Locks Canal Centre is the interpretive gateway to the Cefn Flight, a remarkable feat of 18th-century engineering on the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. The site features a series of fourteen locks compressed into a half-mile stretch, designed to overcome a 160-foot rise in elevation. The centre functions as a heritage site managed by the Monmouthshire, Brecon and Abergavenny Canals Trust. Visitors can explore a network of towpath trails that follow the historic waterway through the Rogerstone area of Newport. The facility includes an exhibition area detailing the history of the canal and its industrial significance. The canal is no longer operational for through-navigation at this flight, serving instead as a preserved industrial landscape and recreational corridor.
The view looking down the length of the lock flight from the top bridge provides the best perspective of the series of chambers.
Wear sturdy, waterproof footwear as the towpaths can become muddy during wet weather.
Bring binoculars to spot local birdlife such as kingfishers and herons along the water corridor.
Check the official Trust website before traveling to see if there are guided heritage walks scheduled.
Do not attempt to walk the entire length of the canal in one day; focus on the immediate lock flight area for the most rewarding historical experience.
The visitor centre is typically closed on Mondays; always check the Trust website for potential seasonal changes in opening days.
Keep dogs on a lead near the water's edge and remain on designated paths to protect the local ecosystem.
