Blisworth Tunnel facts for kids
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| Southern Portal of Blisworth Tunnel | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Location | Blisworth, Northants, England |
| Coordinates | 52°09′22″N 0°55′43″W / 52.1560°N 0.9285°W |
| OS grid reference | SP734514 |
| Status | Open, boat trips available. |
| Waterway | Grand Union Canal |
| Start | 52°10′11″N 0°56′07″W / 52.1696°N 0.9354°W |
| End | 52°08′45″N 0°55′18″W / 52.1458°N 0.9217°W |
| Operation | |
| Rebuilt | 1984 |
| Owner | Canal & River Trust |
| Technical | |
| Construction | 1793-1805 |
| Length | 3,076 yards (2,813 m) |
| Tunnel clearance | 4 feet 6 inches (1.4 m) |
| Width | 15 feet (4.6 m) |
| Water Depth | 5 feet (1.5 m) |
| Towpath | No |
| Boat-passable | Yes |
Blisworth Tunnel is a very long canal tunnel in England. It's part of the Grand Union Canal in Northamptonshire. This tunnel connects the villages of Stoke Bruerne and Blisworth. It is an important part of the UK's canal system.
Contents
How Big is Blisworth Tunnel?
The Blisworth Tunnel is super long! It stretches for 3,076 yards (2,813 meters). This makes it the third-longest canal tunnel in the UK. Only Standedge Tunnel and Dudley Tunnel are longer.
At its deepest point, the tunnel is about 143 feet (43 meters) below the ground. That's like going down 14 stories!
Can Boats Pass Through?
Yes, boats can pass through the tunnel. It is wide enough for two narrowboats to travel in opposite directions. However, there is no special path inside for people to walk alongside the boats. This kind of path is called a "towpath."
The Tunnel's Interesting History
Building the Blisworth Tunnel was a big challenge. Work started way back in 1793.
Early Problems and a New Start
The first attempt to build the tunnel ran into trouble. The builders made mistakes, and the ground was tricky. After three years, part of the tunnel collapsed. Sadly, 14 men lost their lives because of quicksand. After this, they decided to start building a completely new tunnel.
A Temporary Railway
While the tunnel was being built, the rest of the Grand Union Canal was opening. But there was a gap where the tunnel should have been. To fix this, a temporary railway was built in 1801. This railway carried goods over the hill using horses. It was the first railway ever in Northamptonshire!
Finally, in March 1805, the Blisworth Tunnel was finished and opened. The temporary railway tracks were then used to connect the canal to the River Nene.
How Boats Traveled Through
For many years, there was a special way to get boats through the tunnel. Men would lie on their backs on the boat. They would then push against the tunnel walls with their feet. This method was called "legging." It was hard work!
Later, in the 1870s, steam tugs were used. These small boats would pull other boats through the tunnel. Extra air shafts were added to help with ventilation. By the 1930s, most boats had their own engines. So, "legging" became very rare.
Modern Updates
Over time, the tunnel's shape changed. It became difficult for boats to pass through safely. So, in the 1980s, the tunnel had a major rebuild. Sections were lined with strong concrete rings. These rings were even tested for use in the Channel Tunnel! You can see an unused ring near the tunnel's southern entrance.
Images for kids
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North Portal at Blisworth and water inlet after heavy rain, January 2008
