The area by Candle Bridge became quite famous for a time in April 2009 on account of the ‘Blisworth Hole’. Late into the night local residents heard a mysterious rumble and daylight revealed a crater allegedly over ten feet deep and certainly eight feet across. All the result it seems of water finding its own way from an old sluice paddle to an underground culvert. Over time the running water eroded the nearby soil until collapse was inevitable. Luckily at night nobody was around and taking advantage of the nearby seats or sitting on the grass having a picnic.

The area has since been made good again and returned to a very popular spot for villagers and visitors to sit and linger awhile. The interpretation board on its limestone plinth was installed by the Heritage Society. The old balance beam, originally part of one of the lift bridges down the Northampton Arm, was set down to commemorate John Brown, a boater it seems of some character who retired to the village. The bench is there in remembrance of the popular, young local man who tragically lost his life in the canal nearby.

A couple of years ago, BW ripped up the slippery plastic grid path and replaced it with a much better hard path all of the way along this stretch. This improvement has been applauded by all users.

Walk along it and to the right Blisworth Tunnel Boats at Mill Wharf comes in to view, a base for a fleet of time share boats that come and go as do their popular day boats. It is always a hub of activity and really adds to the ambience of this canal scene.

There is a winding hole for boats next to Blisworth Tunnel Boats. Following the Partnership’s suggestion, British Waterways has put up two no mooring bollards on the towpath opposite. This now allows longer boats the opportunity to turn in the winding hole. Previously they would have to travel south through the tunnel to turn in Stoke Bruerne or north to turn at Gayton Junction.

The imposing Mill building, now luxury flats, soon dominates our canal scene. It has an illustrious, well documented history that has brought trades of many kinds to our waterfront.

Boaters are allowed to moor for 14 days along this stretch, and very popular it is too!
In 2011 Blisworth Canal Partnership worked alongside British Waterways to install a pair of lock beams on the grassed area opposite the Mill. They have proved extremely popular!

Do you have any other ideas for this stretch?