🚤 Stoke Bruerne - a canal location with a free museum, boat trips, camping site, history, walks and a pub with a play area!

😍 Stoke Bruerne a beautiful location in Northamptonshire, just a mere 15 minute drive from Milton Keynes. Although all of its amenities are convenienly close together, it is a charming, scenic location that feels like you have stepped back in time.

😌 WHAT DOES STOKE BRUERNE HAVE TO OFFER?
From picturesque english cottages, from a historic scenic canal or calming woodland walk, delicious eateries, fun boat trips, a pub/restaurant with a play area and even peacful camping available, Stoke Bruerne has something to offer for everyone!

🕳 THE 9TH LONGEST CANAL TUNNEL IN THE WORLD....
Blisworth Tunnel: Deep beneath the peaceful waters of the Grand Union Canal lies a masterpiece of engineering—Blisworth Tunnel. Stretching an impressive 3,075 yards (2,811 meters), it’s not only the longest wide, freely navigable tunnel in Europe but also spacious enough for two narrowboats to pass side by side in opposite directions.

This subterranean passage ranks as the third-longest canal tunnel in the UKand an impressive ninth-longest in the world. Carved through the earth, it plunges 143 feet (43 meters) below ground level, making it one of Britain’s most fascinating hidden waterways.

Whether you’re exploring the canal by boat or simply marveling at its history, Blisworth Tunnel is a quiet giant, connecting past ingenuity with present-day adventure.

🛝 A PUB WITH A PLAY AREA
The Navigation is a pub/restaurant with indoor as well as outdoor seating directly next to the canal features a fenced off play area with climbing equipment and a double slide for probably for ages a 5+. Serving food and drinks. Also The Navigation is dog friendly in the bar & beer garden.

📖 THE FREE CANAL MUSEUM
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 4pm
Note: Please check the website to keep updated on opening times incase of closing for private events.

The canal museum is free and accessible (accessible via the side entrance of the cafe and is only accessible on the lower level not level 2). Parking charges do apply. There is a green with numerous
benches to sit on, a great location for a picnic to watch the world slowly pass by!

Nestled in the charming canal village of Stoke Bruerne, The Canal Museum stands as a testament to Britain’s rich waterway heritage. Housed within a beautifully preserved Grade II listed corn mill, this pioneering museum—the first of its kind in the country—unlocks the fascinating stories of the Grand Union Canal. 

Try your hand at creating your own iconic roses and castles, slip into a boater’s costume, and soak in the sights, scents, and sounds of life on the water.

Then, meet Sculptor, the museum’s historic narrowboat. Built in 1935, she carried cargo, fought fires in WWII London, and worked the waterways until her retirement in 1984. Now, she’s moored outside, ready to share her incredible story.

🚤 BOAT TRIPS (Dog friendly)
1️⃣ Charlie: There are two boat trips available one being Charlie located directly outside the museum. This is open
▪️April - October every weekend and everyday in the school holidays
▪️11am - 3.30pm (last trip)
▪️Trips depart every 30 mins
▪️Trips lasting 25 minutes.
▪️Adults: £5, Children: £4
(Please note: Prices can change at anytime)

2️⃣ Santa Cruises in December are available leaving from The Boat Inn across the canel opposite the museum.

🌳 WOODLAND WALK
If you find yourself wandering past the museum with curiosity in tow, head straight down toward the tunnel—just a short five-minute walk will lead you to the woodland walk, a tranquil path tucked away beyond the canal’s edge. This may not be accessible for wheelchairs in some locations and the it is has a slight raised path.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t explore too far this time (blame an off day!), but even in my brief adventure, the woods had plenty to offer—sculptures hidden among the trees and playful lambs bouncing through the fields, radiating the kind of joy that makes you pause and smile. 

I can’t say for sure how far the trail stretches or what surprises lie further ahead, but if you’re up for an unplanned meander, this could be the perfect little detour. Just a heads-up: the gravel path might pose a challenge for wheelchair users, so some extra consideration may be needed. 

Whether you’re looking for a serene escape or simply enjoying a moment with nature, the woodland walk holds its own quiet charm—perhaps next time, I’ll venture deeper and uncover more of its secrets! 

🚙 CAMPING SITE FOR CARAVAN CLUB MEMBERS
Home Farm Camping site is a camping site for members only and just steps away from the Navigation pub/restaurant and a minute walk to the other canal restaurants such as an Indian, museum and walks.This site is ideal for golf, fishing and Star Gazing. Dogs are welcome. This site has battery charging facilities. Costing from only £14 a night. Book me a pitch here.

💯 RECOMMENDED BY WHATSUPBEDS.COM
Whether you're a history enthusiast, a curious traveler, or simply seeking a picturesque escape, Stoke Bruerne invites you to step into the rhythm of the past and experience the legacy of Britain’s canals and scenery, a memorable place to visit, enjoy, relax, an adventure and to explore.

✅️ Free museum
✅️ Canal walk
✅️ Woodland walk
✅️ Restaurants
✅️ Dog friendly locations  
✅️ Scenic location
✅️ Accessible (in most areas)
✅️ Pub with a play area & accessible 
✅️ Camping (members)
✅️ Historic location