Picture-perfect village where fewer than 400 people live is my favourite family day out
If ever there were a perfect example of the English village charm, it would be found in Stoke Bruerne. This tiny village, inhabited by only 401 people as of 2021, holds a unique distinction as the home of the UK's very first canal museum.
Located on the Grand Union Canal, Stoke Bruerne has so much to offer its many visitors. An idyllic, postcard-perfect place to see, Stoke Bruerne is found in Northamptonshire.
It's about 15 minutes away from nearby Milton Keynes, the closest urban centre over the county border in Buckinghamshire.
This glorious reminder of quintessential England is a bit like stepping into a storybook. Our visit took place on a sunny summer's day, and it couldn't have been better.
After taking the trip and parking next to the canal museum—one of just three in the country—we paid the modest £3 fee for four hours in the car park. Then we simply walked into the village centre.
The charm of Stoke Bruerne lies in its simplicity. Everything is within a two-minute saunter of everything else.
Just a few steps will take you to the heart of the village, and the museum entrance is only a stone's throw away. It quickly becomes clear why this place is such a magnet for tourists.
The Grand Union Canal is the lifeblood of Stoke Bruerne, flanked by pubs, residences and eateries. The canal museum provides a fascinating insight into the canal's history and the pivotal role British waterways played in the industrial revolution.
Nestled in a refurbished corn mill at the end of a row of picture-perfect cottages, the museum, which opened its doors in 1963, also houses a quaint cafe serving up homemade food, including paninis and baked goodies.
Just around the corner is the Spice of Bruerne Indian restaurant, boasting a four-star rating on TripAdvisor. Adjacent to it, we found an adorable ice cream van offering refreshments and nibbles.
As we meandered around the locks, a narrowboat found itself in a spot of trouble navigating through the village. But a relaxed atmosphere seems to be infectious, judging by the warm smiles of visitors and boat owners alike, as anyone nearby was happy to be on hand helping those on the waterway.
Two local businesses offer cruises on the Grand Union Canal - one of which is cheaper than a pint at either of the two splendid waterside pubs here. We boarded 'Charlie', which is run by the Stoke Bruerne Boat Company.
They operate regular cruises on the canal from 11am onwards. We were treated to a mini tour of the village via the waterway for a mere £5 per adult and £4 per child.
The journey took us through the heart of the village, all the way to the Blisworth Tunnel. As we bathed in beautiful sunshine, the pedestrians strolling leisurely along the towpath looked on with envy as we revelled in a relaxing river ride.
That was until we reached Blisworth Tunnel, when there was a brief, slightly eerie moment in the dark inside Europe's longest freely navigable tunnel. It was only pitch black for a moment, thankfully, before Charlie reversed and took us back to the village centre.
A tranquil 25-minute boat ride later, my party and I disembarked and headed to one of the two lovely canalside pubs for lunch.
On one side of the Grand Union is The Navigation Inn, and on the other, The Boat Inn, a pub that has been run and owned by the Woodward family since 1877.
The Boat also runs its own canal cruises on its Indian Chief narrowboat. These cruises however operate on a private hire basis, with the lowest cost for hiring the whole boat and a crew at £100 for a 25-minute trip.
The second of two ice cream stalls is located within The Boat, where they serve a variety of flavours at a fair price, perfect for a sunny day. The main meals offered in the bistro are also top-notch.
Vegetarians and vegans will find plenty to enjoy as well. A scrumptious sweet potato curry and the popular Moving Mountains plant-based burger are just two of the highlights from the menu that myself and my partner enjoyed.
Stoke Bruerne provided a tranquil retreat from our daily grind, making it an idyllic village for a leisurely weekend getaway. It boasts something for everyone, with delicious cuisine, amiable locals and stunning scenery.
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