The Grand Union Canal and the Oxford Canal meet at Braunston. This confluence shapes the village’s history as well as the choice of walks: the focus is on locks, towpaths and waterside structures, complemented by historical traces on the High Street and in the surrounding cultural landscape. If you are looking for a hotel in Braunston, you can plan your stay around whether you mainly want to explore canal history, walking routes or the village’s historic features.
Canal-side walks and routes through the surrounding area
The self-guided Braunston Village & Canal Circular Heritage Walk leads from the village centre to the Grand Union Canal and then along the towpath. Six locks lie on the Braunston flight, and you pass most of them on this circular route. The towpath in Braunston is open daily. Check the latest visitor information before your visit.
Other circular routes start at Braunston Marina. The Wolfhampcote – Puddlebanks & Braunston Turn is described as a short walk through local history. The Ashby St Ledgers by the Jurassic Way is described as a walk along the Jurassic Way with a generally easy, gently hilly character. If you want to plan a longer route, Up the locks & over the tunnel to the New Inn at Norton Junction is an approximately 10-mile return walk, mostly along the towpath.
The Tree Trail is a 1.5-mile walk featuring more than 20 trees. The named routes therefore differ both in theme and in stated distance: the Tree Trail combines a short distance with a focus on trees, while the return walk to the New Inn is about 10 miles long. No boating experience is required to travel on the Ouzel II from Union Canal Carriers; full instruction is provided. Check the provider’s latest service information before travelling.
Canals, tunnels and structures
Braunston Tunnel opened in 1796 and is 2,042 yards long. It is lined with locally made bricks. Above the tunnel, three round brick air shafts stand beside the footpath over the hill. These details make the tunnel a distinctive part of the canal’s history, which can also be read in other structures around Braunston.
Braunston Marina has two dry docks and reservoirs. The reservoirs were built by the Grand Junction Co. from 1806 onwards. A footbridge recovered from the Buckingham branch in 1962 carries the towpath over the water connection at the marina. Braunston Stop House also brings together several aspects of local history: the Grade II listed building originally served as a customs house for trading vessels travelling between the Grand Junction Canal and the Oxford Canal. The Canal & River Trust welcome station in the Stop House provides information about the surrounding area and assistance from volunteers.
Village history and cultural landscape
The present-day buildings on the High Street have many points of historical interest. Traces of blocked-up doors and windows can be seen on several buildings. Tudor House dates from the late 15th century. All Saints’ Church also has a long religious history: since Norman times, three stone churches have served the Braunston community at this site.
The pair of cast-iron bridges at Braunston Turn was completed in 1834. The view of the medieval landscape takes in a wider area: the deserted village of Braunstonbury has extensive, very well-preserved earthworks. These include an enclosure surrounded by a moat and a large manorial fishpond. The ridge-and-furrow pattern of medieval fields can still be seen in many fields around Braunston.
Discover more destinations: Harpole, Desborough, Potterspury, Wappenham, Nassington, Ecton, Hardingstone, Woodford
For the wider travel overview: Northamptonshire.
