Stoke Bruerne

Stoke Bruerne is a picturesque Northamptonshire village which lies on the Grand Union Canal with its charming stone cottages facing the canal just as the houses in most villages would face the street.

















 
Nicholson's Ordnance Survey Guide to the Waterways describes it as 'the best example of a canal village in this country'. Here you can visit Blisworth Tunnel, the second longest navigable tunnel in Britain, The Canal Museum which has indoor and outdoor exhibits, including a blacksmith's shop and the historic narrowboat Sculptor, and also explore the flight of seven locks.

















You can just watch the boats go by, enjoy a meal in one of the two restaurants (Spice of Bruerne or Woodwards), savour a cup of tea or coffee and a cake in the Museum's Waterside Cafe, or have a pint (or a meal) in one of the two canalside pubs (The Boat Inn or The Navigation). There are also two trip boats giving opportunities for a short cruise to the tunnel mouth and back.




















 

A few minutes walk away from the centre of the village is Rookery Open Farm where families can have close contact with large variety of animals and learn about farming. There are also climb-on tractors, mini-go-karting and bouncy castles for the younger children.





 







Also in the village are gift shops, a blacksmith (near tunnel mouth), stained glass workshop and a small shop inside The Boat Inn selling basic provisions. In the summer cream teas are served in a canalside garden (weather permitting).

Other shops, cash points, banks and post offices are at Roade or Towcester a short drive away.