Monument record 7754/2/1 - Early 19th-century railway, Northampton to Blisworth Wharf

A horse drawn railway was in use from 1805 until the arrival of the Northampton branch of the Grand Union Canal in 1815. Summary from record 7754/2/1: Course of tramway. Built in 1804-5 to link the Grand Junction Canal to Northampton. Replaced by a canal in 1815. Destroyed by quarrying.

{1} The route of the railway is depicted on the early 19th-century map. It ran between Cotton End in Northampton to Blisworth Wharf.

{2} The railway terminates at Cotton End. Adjacent to it is a building and 'Junction Wharf', a large wharf just off the south-western side of South Bridge.

{4} Tramway (SP 721558) in the SE corner of the parish, close to the Northampton branch of the Grand Union Canal, at 90 m. above OD.The remains, now totally destroyed by quarrying, were the only surviving section of a tramway built in 1804-5 to link the Grand Junction Canal at Gayton with the River Nene at Northampton. It was used until 1815 when it was replaced by the canal. The line of the canal followed that of the tramway except as this point. Before destruction there was a low curving embankment some 10m across and already reduced by ploughing. Its course is partly shown by the 300ft contour on OS 1:10560 plan SP75NW (1968).

{5} RAF aerial photograph: RAF VAP CPE/UK/1926 5029-30

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1811-9, First Edition Ordnance Survey Surveyors Drawings, Sheet 253B (Map). SNN104902.

<2> Roper; Cole, 1807, Map of The Town of Northampton (Map). SNN621.

<3> FAULKNER A.H., 1972, The Grand Junction Canal, p.81-2 (unchecked) (Book). SNN55309.

<4> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.130/Site 6 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<5> Royal Air Force, 1940s, RAF Vertical Aerial Photographs, RAF VAP CPE/UK/1926 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN105266.

<6> Ordnance Survey, 1968, OS 6 Inch Map, SP75NW (unchecked) (Map). SNN16215.

Record last edited

Jul 29 2025 2:55PM