Blisworth Tunnel

Blisworth Tunnel, on the Grand Union Canal, is:

• 3,075 yards (2,811 meters) long
• the longest wide, freely navigable tunnel in Europe (it's wide enough for two narrowboats to pass in opposite directions)
• the third-longest navigable canal tunnel in the UK, after Standedge and Dudley Tunnels
• the ninth-longest canal tunnel in the world
• about 143 feet (43m) below ground level
• roughly 18 miles (29km) from the northern end of the Grand Junction Canal at Braunston

And importantly, it's also just a short walk along the towpath at the Stoke Bruerne end from the Canal Museum, which holds great stories and memorabelia from the tunnel. Combine the two places to visit for a great day out.

Things to do and see

• Walking
• Wildlife spotting
• Cycling (at least up to it)
• The Canal Museum, Stoke Bruerne

Places to eat:

• Navigation - Stoke Bruerne end
• The Walnut Tree Inn - Blisworth Village end

Boat trips from the Stoke Bruerne end:

• Narrowboat Charlie
• Narrowboat Indian Chief

Picnic spot:

Not really the place for a picnic but there's plenty in Stoke Bruerne or up along the woodland walk

Wildlife spotting:

There is the wonderful woodland walk just off the towpath at the Stoke Bruerne end as well as other nature trails and activities

Getting here

By car - there is parking in the Stoke Bruerne Canal Museum car park at £3 a day. And parking available at the Blisworth Tunnel canal car park at the Blisworth end: Blisworth, Northampton NN7 3DA

By boat - see our Stoke Bruerne page for visitor mooring details

Local news and events

Planning your visit