Blisworth Tunnel Circular

Ron and Jenny Glynn

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Beginning at the canal-side village of Blisworth, the route takes a path high above the canal embankment as far as the tunnel entrance, before veering away from the canal's course. The countryside is marvellous and undulating, with far-reaching views. The old dismantled railway is crossed twice near the southern end of the tunnel on the edge of Stoke Bruerne before the walk heads northwards again. Field-paths and fine old bridleways with just a short section of canal towpath from the tunnel entrance, lead back to the bridge at Blisworth. The tunnel, begun in 1793, was opened in 1805, the same year that the route of the Grand Junction Canal at Braunston (where it joined the Oxford Canal) to Brentford and Paddington, was completed. 3,056 yards in length, it is one of the longest navigable tunnels on the system. In the days of horsedrawn boats, the horses were taken over the top of the tunnel whilst the boats were painstakingly legged through the tunnel, a perilous undertaking resulting in many deaths, but one of the necessary risks that boating families faced on a daily basis in making a living.

England - Central England - Northamptonshire - Countryside

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Church, Food Shop, Great Views, Pub, Wildlife

5/3/2015 - Megan McGowan

Wish we had taken more note of the last comment, although the tunnel entrance was interesting and the village was nice the rest of the walk was hard going and uninteresting. The final section we were unable to locate the bridle path and ended up navigating via footpaths where the stiles were damaged and then una ble to find a way forward as all the possible exits from the field were blocked by the farmer! Ended up walking along the road which is quite busy.

2/4/2012 - Dennis Johnson

Start and finish of walk are the best bits to be honest. The countryside is fairly flat and uninteresting although in fairness the directions on this site are very good. If time at the end of the walk keep going along the canal and do a loop of the village (adds on about another half a mile).