The Canal Museum, formerly known as the "National Waterways Museum Stoke Bruerne" and "The Canal Museum at Stoke Bruerne", is a canal museum located next to the Grand Union Canal just south of the Blisworth Tunnel, near the village of Stoke Bruerne in Northamptonshire. The museum is housed in a restored corn mill at the top of a flight of canal locks, and is one of several museums and attractions operated by the Canal & River Trust, the successor to The Waterways Trust. The National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port and the Gloucester Waterways Museum, Gloucester, are the other canal museums operated by the Canal & River Trust.
Follow the story of Britain’s canals, from the great engineers and navvies who created them to the boat families, leggers and lock keepers who lived and worked on them. You'll find models of working boats, traditional clothing, canal crafts, a re-creation of a boat-builder’s workshop, beautiful historical signs and more. Stoke Bruerne boasts examples of painted ware and other canal crafts, traditional clothing, canal-side signs and specialist tools. Many of the objects in the collection have been designated of national importance. You'll find a fine collection of models of working boats including narrow boats, barges, butties and tugs. Models include a short-lived inclined lift at nearby Foxton, and the remarkable Claverton Pumping Station. Outside the museum on the canal you'll see the narrowboat Sculptor, one of the thousand or so craft listed on the UK's National Historic Boat Register. With a wide range of exhibits and a free audio commentary to guide you as you explore, the museum is the key to understanding the rich waterway heritage of Stoke Bruerne and the Grand Union Canal.
Just a short walk north from the museum along the towpath to the mouth of Blisworth Tunnel and the woodland walk, or a stroll south down a flight of seven locks, you'll find the wildlife reserve in the former brickworks. There are musical and theatrical events, and themed weekends all year round. Children can dress in traditional canal costume and there's a gift shop, picnic area and Waterside Café with views over the canal. There is level access from the car park to the canal towpath and toilet facilities, and ramped access to the museum café and shop. Unfortunately, at present the museum galleries, which are on the first and second floor, do not have wheelchair access. For visitors who are unable to visit the upstairs galleries they offer instead a short film showcasing the museum, and two other films - one featuring early archive footage of the Grand Union Canal from London to Birmingham, and a second which is an evocative celebration of canals in the 1970s. The museum has a tactile map of Stoke Bruerne. There is also an audio trail designed to be used either with the tactile map, or whilst walking the towpath. Assistance Dogs are welcome.
Location : 3 Bridge Rd, Stoke Bruerne, Towcester NN12 7SE
Transport: Northampton (National Rail) then Stagecoach bus. Bus Routes : Stagecoach 82, 86, 90 and X4 stop close by.
Opening Times : Daily 10:00 to 17:00
Tickets : Adults £4.75; Concessions £3.80; Children (5 - 16) £2.50.
Tel: 01604 862229
