The Blisworth tunnel is about 2 miles long. It was started in 1793, but it kept collapsing. It was completely finished in 1805. Horses were used to pull barges along the towpath but there is no towpath through the tunnel that’s why the legger’s were used. (Visit + Guidebook)
The top lock (14) was built in 1801 as a single lock, it remained as a single lock until 1835. Then instead of being a single lock it changed into a double lock to compete with the railways. (Visit)
In 1830 a person called George Stephenson opened the Liverpool to Manchester railway. So from the mid 1830’s there were railways built all over the UK, reason for this was because railways were cheaper, more direct and could carry more goods than canals. This meant that Stoke Bruerne really suffered because of this change. One of the main changes was that Stoke Bruerne decreased in size and population. Wealth also decreased.
In 1835 the second lock (15) was built as a double lock to try and speed up the traffic to compete with the railways. (British Waterways leaflet)
The mill cottages were built in 1840’s. They were built because the mill owners thought it would be a good idea to have somewhere for the workers to live. The reason for building them next to the mill was so that the workers would arrive for work on time. Now two of the mill cottages are holiday lets, which are rented out.
In 1851 the double lock closed and became a single lock again because there wasn’t many people using the canal anymore. It also became a single lock again because they couldn’t afford it and it also couldn’t compete with the railways. (Visit + Canal company minutes)
Between 1874 – 1878 the Navigation Inn returned back into a farm. (Whittaker almanac) The reason why it changed was because there was a decrease of people using the canal.
Around 1900 the corn mill closes because they weren’t getting enough intake because of lack of population. Many people found work outside of Stoke Bruerne so it wasn’t worth keeping the corn mill open. (Guidebook)
1890’s the chapel closed because most of the congregation moved away so there weren’t enough people who used the church. As well as people moving away the vicar died. (Visit)
1940 – 1950 the brickworks closed because hardly anyone used the canals anymore. Therefore it was pointless for the brickworks to remain open, so they found it was cheaper and efficient without the brickworks. (Maps)
From 1950’s onwards many main roads and motorways were being built. Because of the development of roads cars became more and more popular. Also around this time people were having more paid holidays. This meant that people had more income and time to go on visits. So places like Stoke Bruerne started to become more of a tourist attraction.
In 1963 Jack James a local lock keeper and ex-boatman decided that the old steam corn mill should be converted into a museum. The museum contains information about the canal, and how Stoke Bruerne has changed over the years. The reason for this change was to get people to come to Stoke Bruerne and also so that people who still worked or lived on the canal could make money. (Guidebook)
By 1970’s the loading basin for the corn mill was filled in to create a picnic area and car park. As Stoke Bruerne became more of a tourist attraction people needed somewhere to park. They also needed somewhere to eat if they had young children, as the restaurants are quite expensive. (Visit)
By 1980 the coal wharf restaurant opened to try and attract tourists. When tourists visit Stoke Bruerne they could have something to eat if they get hungry. The restaurants are also quite expensive so they are very good for a really nice dinner out. (Visit)
Also in 1980’s the brickworks became a nature reserve in order to attract visitors. This was a good idea, as the brickworks weren’t being used anymore. The nature reserve would attract tourists because it would give them something different to look at. The nature reserve is quite good for people with children as they can feed the ducks. (Visit)
The surgery became the Bruerne Lock restaurant in 1991. Again this restaurant is quite expensive. This restaurant would also attract people to Stoke Bruerne because you can have a good but expensive meal out. (Visit)
In 1994 the Navigation Inn became a pub and family restaurant. This changed because of the people who went to see the canal and museum or even Stoke Bruerne itself.
2001 the footbridge opens. This helped because they could cross the canal safely. This meant it would be safer for children and the elderly. (Visit)
Then recently this year, 2006 the Costa coffee shop opens. This was to attract more visitors to the town in order to make a small profit. (Visit)
Stoke Bruerne is a lot like Leighton Buzzard as they both started to develop because of the canals. Then when railways took over Leighton Buzzard developed further because of the railway in Linslade. Whereas, Stoke Bruerne decreased as there were no railways nearby. After the railways the roads changed them both again, Leighton Buzzard became a commuter town and Stoke Bruerne became a tourist attraction.
