The Grand Union Canal Northamptonshire/ Bucks And Part Of The Leicester Line And Oxford Canal

Nice section of canal and the riding surface along this section is good too. There is only a short section that hasn’t got a compacted surface. Ideal for a MTB or Gravel Bike, The Northampton Arm leaves the Grand Union Canal mainline at Gayton Junction and joins the River Nene in the centre of Northampton. 4.8 miles long with 17 locks along the route.
The go ahead for the Northampton Arm was given in April 1793 when the Grand Junction Canal received its Enabling Act in Parliament authorising the construction of a canal branch to Northampton.  This was fantastic news, however the town had to wait another 18 years before the branch became a reality.  The height difference of just over 32m (107 ft) between the Grand Junction and Northampton was a tough obstacle to overcome but 17 narrowbeam locks were installed to scale the difference and on 1st May 1815 the first boats arrived at Far Cotton greeted by crowds of onlookers.
Almost immediately the Arm began to carry a large volume of merchandise and stayed busy for over 100  years through to after the First World War.  In the post war years coal, grain and timber were supplemented by goods needed for the show industry such as strawboards for packing as well as iron ingots for castings.  After World War II the carriage of goods ceased as road competition strengthened. The Northampton Arm leaves the Grand Union Canal mainline at Gayton Junction and joins the River Nene in the centre of Northampton. I’ve also gone south taking in the iron viaduct at Cosgrove and onwards to Great Linford in Buckinghamshire. And also north to Yelvertoft the tow path in this area is in excellent condition. Then west to Crick be sure to stop at the New Inn near Buckby Warf for excellent food and drinks it’s on the canal.