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Local Facilities & Services
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| The Braunston area in the Heart of England is rich in waterway history, heritage and culture and is often referred to as the 'Heart of England's waterways'. At the crossing of the Grand Union and Oxford canals, boat traffic travelling north or south almost always passes through here - the local facilities and warm welcome make it an almost mandatory stopover for all boaters.
In addition, Braunston is ideally suited for anyone wishing to visit many of England's favourite tourist attractions; including the major towns of Birmingham and London, Stratford upon Avon and Shakespeare country, the many historic sites, including Warwick and Kenilworth castles, and many other major places of interest. The Cotswolds are only an hour's drive and even the majestic Peak District can be visited in a day trip.
This page provides information on the essential facilities available in Braunston and the immediate surroundings as well as a sample of the local attractions. We also list the transport facilities for getting to/from The Old Workshop and a 'Distance Table' from Braunston to surrounding places.
For anyone interested in facilities and services specifically related to boating we have a separate page devoted to a selection of local boating amenities.
Local tourist information - the free leaflet, "Discover Historic Braunston", gives details of walks around the village and descriptions of what to look out for (available from the local shops and pubs). Also available is the booklet "Discover Braunston - a brief history of the village" for just £1.
See also our 'Useful links' page for a list of tourist information sites for the Braunston area as well as for the wider region.
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| Facilities |
| Eating & Drinking |
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The Old Plough, High Street, Braunston (01788 890000) - A fine village pub dating from 1672, with open fires and serving real ale. Good food (including vegetarian) lunchtime and evening daily with Sunday roasts. Children are welcome, and there is a garden. |
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The Wheatsheaf, High Street, Braunston - A locals' pub with a warm atmosphere. Real ale. Children welcome until 21.00. Garden. Live music many weekends |
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The Admiral Nelson, Dark Lane, Old Braunston (01788 890075) - A haunted country pub by lock 3. Real ale. Good food lunch and evenings. Canalside seating. Cottage crafts are sold nearby. Booking recommended in summer |
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The Mill House, London Road (A45) (01788 890450) - Once the Rose & Castle, it is now a hotel and restaurant, serving real ale. Grills, Sunday roasts, carvery meals (V) L and E. Children's room and canalside garden with swings. Overnight mooring for patrons. Occasional local traditional entertainment. |
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Gongoozler's Rest - Narrowboat café moored outside the Stop House. Excellent value breakfasts, burgers, sandwiches, omelettes, etc. Open from 9.00am until 3.00pm; closed Monday and Tuesday. |
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| Provisions |
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The Village Stores, High Street (01788 890334)
Open: Monday to Saturday 6.00am to 8.00pm & Sunday 6.30am to 1.00pm |
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The Village Butcher, 25 High Street (01788 890204)
Open: Mon - Fri 8am - 5pm, (Sat 3pm), Sun 8am-noon.
Excellent fresh meat, cold meats, homemade pies and sausages, also fresh vegetables and fresh bread. |
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The Boat Shop, Above Braunston Bottom lock (Canalia, souvenirs, confectionary, newsagent) |
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| Other Services |
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Daxa Health & Beauty (07773 795267; http://www.daxahealthandbeauty.co.uk/.) - Holistic and beauty professional Daxa Panchal has over 17 years experience in the beauty industry. As a busy mother, wife and business woman herself, she knows very well how difficult it is to balance life. By opening long hours and having an exquisite selection of treatments available, there's something for everyone to enjoy - Holistic, Facials and Beauty treatments, including massage, waxing, nails, etc. |
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Barby Nurseries - local garden centre. Small family run with excellent choice of plants, including extensive water garden selection. |
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| .... and a bit further afield: |
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The Rose, Willoughby - excellent local pub within 2 miles of Braunston serving good food. Beer garden and live music. |
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Papadoms, Daventry (01327 702010) - Good value Indian restaurant |
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The Water Margin Cantonese Restaurant (01327 312600) - very good Chinese restaurant in the High Street. |
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Omar's Flavours of India, Dunchurch (01788 819141) - Indian restaurant serving excellent food |
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The Dun Cow, Dunchurch - pub, restaurant and hotel |
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The Old Thatched Cottage, Southam Road, Dunchurch (01788 810417) - Good restaurant set in a beamed and thatched building dating back to the fifteenth century. |
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Huntsman Restaurant & Carvery, 20 The Square, Dunchurch (01788 811748) - Noted for its excellent carvery. |
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The Olive Bush, Flecknoe - quaint old pub with small lounge; well worth a visit. 3/4 mile from the canal. |
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The Kings Head, Napton (01926 812202) - pub and restaurant 10 minutes walk from the canal. |
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The Folly, Napton - canalside pub and restaurant at the foot of the Napton Flight of locks. |
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The Bridge Inn, Napton (01926 812466) - canalside pub by bridge 111. Good restaurant open daily. |
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Manor Farm Shop & Tea Room, Catthorpe, Leicestershire (01788 869002) - situated in an attractively restored Victorian Farm building bordering the 3 counties of Leicestershire, Warwickshire and Northamptonshire. Home-grown fruit, Vegetables, Meat, Crafts and much more |
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Hunt House Restaurant, Main Road, Kilsby (01788 823 282) - set in a restored 1656 thatched Hunting Lodge and covered stables. |
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| Attractions |
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All Saints Church - the current village church dates back to 1849 and is the third church on the site (the Norman font being the main survivor from the first). Known locally as 'The Boater's Cathedral' as so many old boaters are buried in the specially reserved graveyard. A pretty and very typical English village church, All Saints is well worth a visit. |
Painting by Dave Rogers
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The Stop House - where tolls were collected by the Grand Junction (now Grand Union) Canal Company from the passing boats. You can still see where the canal narrows in front of the Stop House where there used to be a stop-lock to prevent water draining into the Oxford Canal. Until recently the base for British Waterways, the Stop House has a small museum and is still used for BW activities on Tuesdays and Thursdays. |
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Wolfhampcote and St Peter's Church - now only open for very special occasions, the church is one of the few remaining buildings of the medieval village of Wolfhampcote - click here for more information |
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Dave Rogers - The well known waterway artist lives and works in Braunston - click here to see examples of his work. For your chance to own a print or original of one of England's best canal artists. we have some prints on display at The Old Workshop or vist The Boat Shop at Braunston Bottom lock - |
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