visit www.southnorthants.gov.uk Explore in South Welcome to the Canals of

Approximately seventeen and Although originally associated with the industrial revolution, today the local a half miles of the Grand Union network is a tranquil haven from which Canal winds its way through to enjoy the unspoilt countryside. Many pretty canal villages sit alongside the Grand South Northamptonshire, from Union where you will find welcoming pubs, the Iron Trunk Aqueduct at restaurants and shops, as well as interesting historic features such as the Iron Trunk Cosgrove up to Stowe Hill bridge Aqueduct¸ Ornamental Bridge and horse on the A5 near . tunnel at Cosgrove, and flight of locks at and the A short stretch of the 77-mile Tunnel. Canal, which goes from If you spend even a short time along the Oxford to , also slips banks of the canal you’ll no doubt end up in conversation with one of the many people into South Northamptonshire, who are holidaying on, or who live or work approximately one mile on the water. Delightful flower and herb gardens adorn the brightly from . and you’ll encounter plenty of friendly dogs – and even cats - who like to watch the world go by from their floating vantage points. If you have time, combine your trip with a visit to one of the area’s lovely attractions, such as Castle Ashby Gardens, Wood Gardens, , Circuit, , Manor, Racecourse and the pretty market of and Towcester. History of the Grand Canalside activities

The demand for quicker and standards. To overcome this, in the 1930s, a CYCLING AND Fishing Stoke Bruerne Brick Pits number of canal companies amalgamated with Nature Reserve cheaper means of transport the Company to form You can cycle along much of the towpath. Created in the late 18th century, the area is caused by the Industrial the Company. This would Fishing is allowed with a rod licence on now home to a reed bed, grassland, ponds Revolution and the poor state of form a continuous route, linking with nearly the entire length of the canal through and a redundant side arm of the canal. It is an and the rest of the country. A angling clubs. Fish include roach,perch important habitat for a variety of plant life, roads between London and the and bream, chub, pike and carp. Certain , led to the passing of modernising programme saw improvements invertebrates and dragonfly species, including to boats, locks and bridges and with increased restrictions apply to both cycling and the white-legged damselfly. The grassland is an Act of Parliament in 1793, capacity, the canal provided vital support fishing. Please check with The Canal & River good for small mammals, making it an ideal authorising the building of the carrying supplies during the Second World Trust for details. feeding ground for barn owls. Other fauna Grand Junction Canal between War. However with the arrival of the motorway and flora includes field voles, red foxes, grass and . network, canal freight declined. WILDLIFE snakes, frogs and toads, great crested newts, orange tip and ringlet butterfly, redwing, As part of the programme to nationalise Whether you’re walking or boating along fieldfare, reed warbler, sedge warbler, reed The existing route via the and transport, ownership of the Grand Union Canal the canal, or visiting one of the four nature bunting, marsh-marigold, water mint and was long, narrow in parts and (with most of the rest of the canal network) reserves, some of the things you’re likely water forget-me-not. difficult to navigate. The same year, a group passed to the British Transport Commission to encounter are swans, ducks, geese, grey of businessmen and investors, including local in 1948 and in 1963 to the new British heron, wild birds, rabbits and hares, deer These natures reserves are managed by landowners the Marquis of of Waterways (now The Canal & River Trust). and foxes. You’ll also see lots of insects and The Wildlife Trusts for , Stowe, The Duke of Grafton, Earl Spencer wildflowers. and Northamptonshire The Grand Union Canal has always of Althorp and the Hon. Edward Bouverie, www.wildlifebcn.org. devised a plan that would cut the route by remained open. Today it is one of South Mill Crook and 60 miles. Setting up the Grand Junction Northamptonshire’s most popular attractions, Meadow The Quarries, Cosgrove Canal Company, they hired for its heritage, boating, walking, fishing and These are the last fragments of traditionally Formerly a medieval limestone quarry, this surveyor, James Barnes and civil wildlife. In 1993, the 145-mile Grand Union managed hay meadows in this part of the haven of wildlife has lots of limestone-loving engineer, . Over 3,000 walk opened creating a continuous route from Tove Valley. They still show evidence of plants, including the spotted cat’s ear and men were employed along the route. Little Venice in London to Gas Street medieval ridge and furrow farming. In the fragrant orchid. You might also see ground in Birmingham. summer, they are full of wild flowers and beetle, skylarks and barn owls. Opening in 1805, the Grand Junction grasses - saxifrage, meadowsweet, bog Canal became one of the busiest stitchwort, meadow vetchling, great burnet, arterial canals in the country. quaking-grass, meadow foxtail and yellow However, the opening of the rattle, an indicator species of old grassland. London and Birmingham Insects and birds include orange-tip Do you enjoy Gongoozling? Railway in 1838 initiated a slow and meadow brown butterflies and five- If you find yourself leaning over a decline as canals struggled spot burnet moths, kingfishers, curlews, bridge, or standing by a watching against the competition. lapwings, long-tailed tits, bullfinches, the boats go by, don’t be surprised if yellowhammers and wrens. Grafton Regis Constructed by different someone calls you a Gongoozler - old Meadow is accessible via the Grand Union companies, the region’s canals canal slang to describe people who Canal walk. For access to Mill Crook, contact were of different sizes and 01604 405 285. stood idly by on the towpath! EATING AND DRINKING There are many lovely places to eat and drink within easy walking or driving distance of the canals. For full details, see South Northamptonshire Council’s food and drink guide, A Taste For All Canal services Seasons, available to download at www.southnorthants.org.uk, or to pick up in local restaurants, pubs and cafés. Marinas OTHER SERVICES BOAT TRIPS AND BOAT HIRE Aynho Wharf Walker Services, near Aynho Great Western Arms, 01869 338 288, Blisworth Marina, Gayton Junction Offers moorings, boatyard services, chandlery Day boat hire is available on one of two www.great-westernarms.co.uk A traditional and attractive marina that offers and repairs. The shop sells basic 30-foot day boats. 01604 858 868, private and temporary moorings. Aynho food provisions, gifts, supplies and ice creams. www.millwharfboats.co.uk. 01604 879 827, www.blisworthmarina.co.uk Cartwright Hotel and Restaurant, 01869 338 483, www.walker-services.co.uk Cosgrove Narrowboat Company 01869 811 885, Gayton Marina, between Gayton Mill Wharf Boat Company and Private charter, public trips and day boat www.cartwright-hotel.co.uk and Blisworth Blisworth Tunnel Narrowboats, hire on narrowboats, Elizabeth of Glamis and A large marina offering holiday boat hire, Blisworth Blisworth Skylark. Public trips from Easter to October private moorings, full boatyard facilities Royal Oak, 01604 857 676, Run by the same family, the two companies between Cosgrove and and and a shop. 01604 858 685, www.blisworthroyaloak.co.uk are situated next to bridge 51 in Blisworth. Cosgrove and . 01525 372 853, www.gaytonmarina.com The Walnut Tree, 01604 859 551, The Mill Wharf Boat Company offers a www.cosgrovenarrowboats.co.uk www.walnut-tree.co.uk Nether Heyford Fields Marina boat building service. Blisworth Tunnel Indian Chief, Stoke Bruerne Strictly long term, private moorings. 07902 Narrowboats offers boat yard services, repairs Public and private charter cruises from 216 870, www.heyfordfieldsmarina.co.uk and day boat hire. 01604 858 868, The Wharf, 01604 832 585, Stoke Bruerne along the canal and through www.millwharfboats.co.uk www.the-wharf.co.uk Thrupp Wharf Marina, near the Blisworth Tunnel on the luxury narrowboat, Cosgrove Cosgrove The New & Used Boat Co, Indian Chief. 01604 862 428, Navigation Inn at Thrupp Wharf, A family run marina with 60 private moorings Blisworth Marina www.boatinn.co.uk 01908 543 156, www.navigationinn.net situated next to the Navigation Inn at Bridge Specialises in new and used boat sales. Stoke Bruerne Boat Company Barley Mow, 01908 562 957, 64 overlooking the countryside. 01908 542 01604 859 376, www.newandusedboat.co.uk Return trips from the Canal Museum to the www.thebarleymowcosgrove.co.uk 113, www.thruppwharfmarina.com Cosgrove Lakeside Store, Cosgrove Blisworth tunnel on narrowboat Charlie, on Nether Heyford Leisure Park weekends and school holidays from Easter to Foresters Arms, 01327 340 622 Situated a few minutes’ walk from the canal, October. Longer trips through the tunnel to the shop sells general supplies and gas. Blisworth Village available for private charter. Stoke Bruerne It is open seven days a week, 1 April to 07966 503 609, www.stokebruerneboats.co.uk The Boat Inn, 01604 862 428, 31 October. 01908 565 797 www.boatinn.co.uk Spice of Bruerne, 01604 863 330, Grand Junction Boat Company www.spiceofbruerne.com Situated on the Blisworth Arm. Boat repairs The Navigation, 01604 864 988, and servicing. 01604 858 043, www.navigationpubtowcester.co.uk www.narrowboat-repairs northampton.co.uk Weedon The , 01327 340 333, www.narrowboatatweedon.co.uk SPECIAL EVENTS Special Events

Blisworth Canal Festival Grafton Regis History Fayre Spread along the canal and in seven Featuring re-enactments of dark age and nearby villages, this free family medieval battles, with living history tents, event is the largest canal festival in historical characters such as Henry VIII and Northamptonshire. Raising money for Anne Boleyn, stalls and lots to eat and drink. canal side projects it has over 100 stands Held in July. www.canalrivertrust.org.uk and canal boats selling a range of items, including crafts, cheese, fudge, jewellery, Stoke Bruerne Canal Museum gifts, books and sweets. There are boat Just some of the many events held each trips, a blacksmith demonstration, pony year are the Gala Weekend in June, rides, live music, free walks and talks, art Pirate Weekend in August, Village at War gallery and laser shooting arena. in September and an Illuminated Boat Held in August Procession and Carols in December. www.blisworthcanalfestival.co.uk www.friendsofcanalmuseum.org.uk

For further information about things to see and do in South Northamptonshire, go to www.southnorthants.gov.uk/tourism and for details about the canal network, contact the Canal & River Trust, www.canalrivertrust.org.uk.

This guide has been produced by South Northamptonshire Council (SNC) as one of a number of initiatives to encourage tourism in the district, with the active participation of the businesses mentioned. Every care has been taken by SNC to ensure that all the information contained is accurate and up to date at the time of printing and that all relevant establishments have been included. No responsibility or liability can be taken by the Council for any errors or omissions, or for any inconvenience caused after the guide has gone to press. Please send comments, corrections, or recommendations for other businesses that might be suitable to include in a future edition of this guide to: Strategic Planning and the Economy, South Northamptonshire Council, The Forum, Moat Lane, Towcester, Northamptonshire, NN12 6AD, [email protected] www.southnorthants.gov.uk. May 2015/All rights reserved. South Northamptonshire Council reserves all editorial rights. Thanks to David Blagrove, Chairman of the Friends of the Canal Museum, Vice-President of the Inland Waterways Association and writer; Brian Collings, former manager at Stoke Bruerne Museum, transport artist and narrowboat decorator; Lisa Rowley, Administration Officer, The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire; Jan Andrews, Blisworth Canal Partnership; and James Clifton, The Canal & River Trust. Selected photographs with kind permission of Stoke Bruerne Canal Museum and The Canal & River Trust. Photographers: Adrian Colwell, Simon Murdoch, Bill Needham and James Rudd. Map and illustrations by Val Goldfinch, www.valgoldfinchdesigns.co.uk. This guide has been produced on behalf of SNC by Redworks PR and Marketing, www.redworks.co.uk and Downes Design.

South Northamptonshire Council, The Forum, Moat Lane, Towcester, Northamptonshire, NN12 6AD [email protected] www.southnorthants.gov.uk