National Waterways Museum, Stoke Bruerne

The National Waterways Museum is in a restored corn mill beside the Grand Union Canal in the beautiful village of Stoke Bruerne, Northamptonshire. A visit here is a great day out for the family as well as canal enthusiasts.

Working models, videos, pictorial and three-dimensional displays bring to life the unique 200 year old story of our waterway transport system - complemented by the living canal outside with its flight of locks and Blisworth Tunnel.

Through the history of the canals in the locality, the museum reveals the amazing feats of engineering that created Britain's original waterways. Depictions of the harsh reality of canal life in the 19th century contrast with the traditional colourful decoration and shining brasses of our waterway heritage.

Schools and educational visits are welcome where we have our own specialist staff to assist teachers and students in their waterway projects. The Museum also has its own dedicated school/activity room.

The Museum shop has the most comprehensive range of canal books of the country. This unique and authoritative resource is complemented by the shop's excellent mail-order service. It also sells a range of interesting and high-quality waterway products including painted canal-ware, guides, gifts and souvenirs.

National Waterways Museum, Stoke Bruerne – audio trail

A Family Audio Trail following the travels of Jack, the boat boy, around Stoke Bruerne in Victorian times.
The family audio trail tells the story of Jack, the son of a canal boatman who has bought a new horse. Jack begs his father to let him name the horse while the family is moored at Stoke Bruerne. You can follow his journey as he meets different people who work at Stoke Bruerne and asks their advice about a suitable name. Follow the audio clues as you listen, to discover the name Jack chose for his horse. Just fill in the spaces on sheet 3 and all will be revealed. You have to do some detective work...
Download the National Waterways Musuem, Stoke Bruerne audio trail
Read the National Waterways Musuem, Stoke Bruerne, audio trail script

Other local attractions:

• Around the wharf area. Other attractions include the museum shop, two historic inns - the Boat Inn and the Navigation Inn -the Old Chapel tearoom and the Bruerne's Lock restaurant, makingthe wharf area undoubtedly the hub of this picturesque Northamptonshire village.
• Rookery Open Farm. An enjoyable children's attraction with a cafe. It is open 10am-5pm between March and November (closed Tuesdays).
• Grafton Regis.A charming nearby village, just off the A508. Edward IV is said to have married Elizabeth Woodville in the historic church. There are many attractive stone cottages, a pub, and book group tours of the village are offered by the costumed local history group.
• Stoke Park Pavilions. All that remains of one of the first Palladian Houses built in England. Open daily in August, 3pm to 6pm.
• Towcester Racecourse. Historic racecourse, off the A5 south of Towcester. National Hunt programme. Free entry until May.

Find out more about the area at the South Northamptonshire District Council website, email tic@southnorthants.gov.uk, or call 01230 700111.

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