Braunston to Whilton Locks Canal Walk
This walk visits the Whilton Locks flight on the Grand Union Canal near Daventry. The flight of seven locks is also known as Buckby Locks and is a popular place for a walk.
The route starts in the Northamptonshire village of Braunston at the pretty marina. From here you can pick up the canal towpath and follow it east to Braunston Tunnel, passing a series of pretty locks on the way. You then walk over the tunnel before continuing along the towpath to Buckby Top Lock and Whilton Locks. The locks are numbered from 7 at the top of the flight to 13 at the bottom. To the south of the flight is a long level pound, which runs to the Stoke Bruerne Canal Museum and the top of the Stoke Bruerne flight of seven locks. Towards the southern end of this section are Blisworth Tunnel and Gayton Junction, where the Northampton Branch turns off to join the River Nene at Northampton.
To extend the walk continue south from the locks to Muscott and Weedon Bec. Here you can pick up the Nene Way and Macmillan Way long distance trails to explore the lovely Nene Valley
Braunston to Whilton Locks Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Braunston to Whilton Locks Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Braunston to Whilton Locks OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Braunston to Whilton Locks Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
At lock number 3 in Braunston you can visit the canalside Admiral Nelson for some refreshments. The interesting building itself dates back to 1730 and pre-dates the canal. It was originally a farm building and cows were milked where the restaurant is today and a green grocer’s shop which opened onto the lock side was where there is now a skittles room. There's a lovely beer garden where you can sit out in the summer months, and watch the canal boats and the world go by. You can cosy up in the winter next to the roaring open fire. The pub is right on the canal in Braunston at postcode NN11 7HJ.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Head to the nearby Daventry Country Park for some fine walking and cycling trails around the pretty Daventry Reservoir.
The circular Ashby St Ledgers Walk starts from the neighbouring village and visits Braunston. The village is home to the historic Ashby Manor where much of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 was planned.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Northamptonshire Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Braunston Marina
Braunston Tunnel, Northamptonshire
Braunston Tunnel's most westerly air shaft with the village of Braunston in the distance. The photo is taken from the track along which the horses were led while the narrowboat was legged through the tunnel.
Grand Union Canal, Long Buckby, Northamptonshire. Looking from Norton Junction, the top lock of the Buckby flight is just round the bend out of view.
Whilton Locks-Grand Union Canal
Whilton Locks-. There are seven locks over about 2km of the Grand Union Canal. This view includes the second and third from the bottom. I was surprised to see a waterfall over the gates of the lock in the distance.