Set on the banks of the Grand Union Canal, Stoke Bruerne is one of Northamptonshire’s most distinctive villages. It may not be traditionally chocolate-box pretty, but its working locks, narrowboats and layered history give it a distinct character.
“Have a drink on me.” It’s not an invitation you hear every day — unless you’re in Stoke Bruerne, home to one of the UK’s longest-running family pubs.
Set along the Grand Union Canal, The Boat Inn dates back to 1877 and has remained in the same family ever since. In the top bar, beneath the concrete slabs, lie the ashes of former landlord Jack Woodward. A plaque on the wall above simply reads: “Have a drink on me.”
Stoke Bruerne is clearly a village not only rich in history, but blessed with a distinctly dry sense of humour.
The Grand Union Canal
The Grand Union Canal in the late 18th century transformed Stoke Bruerne into a bustling inland port — the waterways acting as the M1 of their day, linking Birmingham and London.
The canalways were the M1 of their day, linking Birmingham and London long before motorways existed.
The Canal Museum
The Canal Museum, housed in a former Victorian corn mill on Bridge Road, tells the story of the boatmen, lock-keepers and families who once lived and worked on the water.
A short walk north brings you to the lock flight, once the heart of the village’s industrial life and now one of the county’s most photogenic spots. Holiday makers’ and canalboat dwellers’ narrowboats still pass through daily, keeping centuries-old traditions alive.
Nearby is the southern entrance to Blisworth Tunnel, completed in 1805. Stretching for over 3,000 yards, it is one of the longest navigable canal tunnels in Europe and the 9th longest canal tunnel in the world – no mean feat of engineering.
Along Bridge Road and the High Street, stone cottages and thatched roofs reflect a history stretching back to the Domesday Book of 1086. The village takes its name from the Briwere family, prominent local landowners in the medieval period.
The Boat Inn
As commercial canal traffic declined, The Boat Inn adapted. Today it welcomes leisure boaters, walkers and cyclists, canal history enthusiasts and even wedding parties.
It also operates canal boat trips, including journeys through the nearby Blisworth Tunnel.
It boasts a book club, hosts wedding parties and entertainment on a regular basis. The Boat Inn and surrounding locks feature in classic canal-themed film Painted Boats (1945), with a young Jack Woodward reportedly appearing on screen.
For further event details visit: https://boatinn.co.uk/
Exploring Stoke Bruerne by Foot
Small in size but rich in stories, Stoke Bruerne is a village shaped by movement — and best explored slowly, on foot.
The Perfect Afternoon Walk in Stoke Bruerne
Start: Canal Museum, Bridge Road
Finish: The Boat Inn
Time: 1.5–2 hours (excluding pub stop)
- Canal Museum
- Begin with a gentle wander around the museum exterior, or pop inside for a short visit to set the scene and get a sense of the canal’s history.
- Lock Flight Walk
- Head north along the towpath, watching boats work their way through the lock flight — a prime photo spot and a great place to linger.
- Blisworth Tunnel Entrance
- Continue to the tunnel mouth and pause to take in the sheer scale of this impressive feat of engineering.
- Brick Pits & The Navigator or The Boat Inn
- On the return journey, detour slightly towards the Brick Pits, a quieter stretch of water rich in wildlife and reflections. From here, make your way back towards the village, passing The Navigator or on to the Boat Inn.
- Return via the Towpath
- Finish the walk along the towpath, soaking up views of moored narrowboats and everyday waterside life as you head back.
Alternatively try out this walk: https://northamptonshirewalks.co.uk/about/walk-10-a-lovely-circular-walk-for-all-the-family-around-northamptonshires-jewel-in-the-canal-network/
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