Braunston Tunnel

Braunston Tunnel is on the Grand Union Canal about 830 yards (760 m) east of Braunston, Northamptonshire, England top lock. It is in the northern outskirts of Daventry, about 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) east of the village of Braunston.

Braunston Tunnel

Eastern portal of the tunnel
Overview
Location	Daventry, Northamptonshire, England
Coordinates	52.282915°N 1.172447°W / 52.282915; -1.172447
Status	Open
Waterway	Grand Union Canal
Start	52.284569°N 1.184721°W / 52.284569; -1.184721
End	52.281272°N 1.157869°W / 52.281272; -1.157869
Operation
Owner	Canal & River Trust
Technical
Design engineer	William Jessop
Length	2,042 yards (1,867.2 m)
Tunnel clearance	3.76 metres (12.3 ft)
Width	4.8 metres (15.7 ft)
Towpath	No
Boat-passable	Yes

Braunston Tunnel is 2,042 yards (1,867 m) in length.^[1] Built by Jessop and Barnes, the tunnel has no towpath and is 4.8 metres (16 ft) wide by 3.76 metres (12.3 ft) high.^[2]

It was opened in 1796. Its construction was delayed by soil movement and it was probably the resulting^{[clarification needed]} movement that led to the tunnel having a slight 'S' bend. There is room for two 7 feet (2.1 m) beam boats to pass.^[3] There are three air shafts along its length.

The tunnel passes underground alongside another Grand Union Canal feature, Drayton Reservoir, from which the feeder enters the canal at the east end of the tunnel.

Features

View of the 2nd air shaft from inside Braunston Tunnel

Point	Coordinates (Links to map resources)	OS Grid Ref	Notes
Western portal	52.284569°N 1.184721°W / 52.284569; -1.184721 (Western portal)	SP557654
Mid point	52.282915°N 1.172447°W / 52.282915; -1.172447 (Mid point)	SP56556529
Eastern portal	52.281272°N 1.157869°W / 52.281272; -1.157869 (Eastern portal)	SP576652

See also

• United Kingdom portal
• Transport portal

• Legging (canals)
• List of canal tunnels in the United Kingdom