Northampton Arm or Stoke Bruern?

[RAB]

Have a few days on the boat in a few weeks and planning a short trip down the Grand Union from Braunston. Question is which route. We've never done the Northampton Arm having been slightly put off by summer tales of weed and water issues. I'm assuming at this time of year, and after all the rain this isn't a problem at the moment? In addition what is mooring like near the bottom of the flight (we would wind here and then head back)?

Our other option is to go through Blisworth tunnel to Stoke Bruern and then wind and come back (I'm aware the canal is closed at the top lock, but assume access to just above this is OK).

[matty40s]

To be honest, if the river is like it is now, you will struggle at the bottom of the arm....a few weeks of cold, dry and low humidity air will soon bring the top end back down though.

The Northampton Arm is 17 locks(average 4 1/2 hours), below is Northampton town moorings, or book into Becketts Park marina for a night (in advance as it is packed at present).

It's probably not worth going any further down the river unless you want to Italian tune your engine on a quick run.

This time of year, Stoke Bruerne may be a better bet.

[enigmatic]

Northampton Arm has no real appeal unless you're going to the River Nene, which won't be navigable at this time of year

[Big Bob W]

We actually like a trip down/up the Northampton Arm! Admittedly the bottom bit get be a bit hard going with lack of depth in the summer, but its a challenge! 

Its normally nice and quiet and the locks are generally very easy.

But at this time, I would say Stoke Bruerne would be your best bet. Through the tunnel, wind and reverse back on to a mooring before the locks. Few pints in the Boat then get an Indian takeaway! You can always detour for a short run down the top of the Northampton arm as you pass Gayton Junction and wind just before the lock. 15 minutes or so each way.

[nicknorman]

Northamton arm's only appeal is as a route to the Nene. Lorra Locks and then Lorra Locks again. Shallow after the locks and moorings at the end a bit grim.

Stoke Bruerne has some appeal, although it is a bit over-rated IMO. Pleasant enough provided you don't expect shops etc! But what about the Leicester Section? A much nicer detour.

[Col_T]

Seventeen of the blighters, to be exact! There’s enough space to wind immediately before the last lock as you go down the flight, but the section leading down to that was very shallow mid-September last year, with plenty of weed to enhance the fun! 
 

We don’t plan to do the Northampton Arm ever again.

[matty40s]

2 minutes ago, Col_T said:

Seventeen of the blighters, to be exact! There’s enough space to wind immediately before the last lock as you go down the flight, but the section leading down to that was very shallow mid-September last year, with plenty of weed to enhance the fun! 
 

We don’t plan to do the Northampton Arm ever again.

Shame, as the more people do it, the less weed grows, and the less likely it is that CRT will mothball it.

The Nene is a stunning river journey, leads to the Middle Levels(bit boring), then the GT Ouse, Wissey and Cam. 

[GUMPY]

10 hours ago, Col_T said:

We don’t plan to do the Northampton Arm ever again.

Shame really you will be missing the lovely waters if the Nene, ML and Get Ouse system.

Still your loss is others gain as it keeps it quieter down there.

[Col_T]

Fair comments.
 

The full story is that we went down the Arm, through the Middle Levels, nosed around the Great Ouse, Cam, Lark, Little Ouse and Wissey before retracing our steps back to the GU. That little lot took best part of a month. Perhaps it was the time of year, but that section of the Arm, together with very shallow sections on the Levels, around Whittlesey and March, meant that that section of the trip was, quite literally, a drag. The rivers were great!

 

So, perhaps I should rephrase - we don’t plan to do the Northampton Arm again in our current boat, but then we don’t plan to change boat!