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Stoke Bruerne facts for kids

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Stoke Bruerne
Stoke Bruerne top lock.jpg
Narrowboats in the top lock
of the Stoke Bruerne flight
Stoke Bruerne is located in Northamptonshire
Stoke Bruerne
Stoke Bruerne
Population 395 (2001 Census)
373 (2011 census)
OS grid reference SP7450049500
• London 64 miles (103 km)
Civil parish
  • Stoke Bruerne
Unitary authority
  • West Northamptonshire
Ceremonial county
Region
Country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town Towcester
Postcode district NN12
Dialling code 01604
Police Northamptonshire
Fire Northamptonshire
Ambulance East Midlands
EU Parliament East Midlands
UK Parliament
  • Current: Northampton South; from next General election: South Northamptonshire
List of places
UK
England
Northamptonshire
52°08′33″N 0°54′56″W / 52.1424°N 0.91569°W / 52.1424; -0.91569

Stoke Bruerne is a small village in West Northamptonshire, England. It is located about 16 kilometers (10 miles) north of Milton Keynes and 11 kilometers (7 miles) south of Northampton. In 2011, the village had a population of 373 people.

Stoke Bruerne is famous for being on the Grand Union Canal. This makes it a popular spot for visitors who enjoy canals and boats.

Blisworth Tunnel South Portal England
Narrowboat emerging from the south portal of the Blisworth Tunnel just north of Stoke Bruerne
Stoke Bruerne boat weighing machine
Boat-weighing machine at Stoke Bruerne, originally from the Glamorganshire Canal

Village History: A Look Back in Time

Stoke Bruerne has a long history. It was first mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086. This was a very old survey of England ordered by King William the Conqueror. Back then, the village was called "Stoche," which meant "an outlying farm or small village."

Later, in 1254, the name "Stokbruer" was used. This new part of the name came from the "Briwere" family, who owned the Manor House. The village still has many old stone houses with traditional thatched roofs.

Today, Stoke Bruerne is part of West Northamptonshire. In 2008, a project to protect the village's historic canal area won an award. This award was from the Royal Town Planning Institute. It showed how important the village's canal heritage is.

Things to Do in Stoke Bruerne

Walking Trails and Nature

Stoke Bruerne is a great place for walks. Many public footpaths go through the area. You can explore the countryside and enjoy nature. Some walks even take you to nearby villages like Grafton Regis.

Canal Museum: Explore Waterways History

The village is home to the Stoke Bruerne Canal Museum. This museum is one of three owned by the Canal & River Trust. It teaches visitors all about the history of canals and how they were used for transport. You can learn about the boats, the people who worked on them, and how canals helped trade in England.

Blisworth Tunnel: An Underground Journey

Just north of Stoke Bruerne is the south entrance of the Blisworth Tunnel. You can walk along the old towpath to reach it. This tunnel is very long, about 2.8 kilometers (3,075 yards). It is the longest wide canal tunnel in Europe that boats can freely use.

In 2014, the tunnel received a 'Red Wheel' award from the Transport Trust. This award recognized its importance in industrial history. The award plaque is on the blacksmith's forge in Stoke Bruerne.

Village Facilities: Food, Fun, and Boats

Stoke Bruerne has several places to eat and stay. There are two pubs next to the canal, The Boat Inn and The Navigation. Both serve meals and drinks. You can also find a restaurant, bed and breakfasts, and tearooms.

The village is very popular with tourists, especially in summer. There are rules about parking, so it's best to use the pay and display car park near the museum. From the canalside, you can book boat trips to explore the canal. There's always lots of activity with boats moving through the locks and going in and out of the tunnel.

Cricket Club: A Local Team

The village has a cricket club. It's called Spencer Bruerne Cricket Club. They have teams that play in the Northamptonshire Cricket League. They also have a junior section for younger players.

Stoke Bruerne and the Railway

Stoke Bruerne once had its own railway station. It was part of the Stratford-upon-Avon and Midland Junction Railway. The station was near the village, close to the Blisworth Tunnel. The old station building is now a private house. You can still see the railway line and the station platform. There's even a railway bridge still standing on the road to Blisworth.

Stoke Bruerne in Film

The village of Stoke Bruerne, along with Blisworth, appeared in a movie called Painted Boats. This film was made in 1945 by Ealing Studios and was directed by Charles Crichton. It showed life on the canals at the end of World War II.

Bruerne-29S12-wyrdlight
Fifth year of Bruerne's successful Village at War weekend
Bruerne-Drum-30S12-wyrdlight
A Drumhead Service of Remembrance is held annually at Stoke Bruerne

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Stoke Bruerne para niños

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