SNN109915 - Archaeological desk-based heritage assessment of land at Stoke Bruerne, Northamptonshire

Northamptonshire Archaeology conducted an archaeological desk-based heritage assessment of land north of the Grand Union Canal (formerly the Grand Junction Canal), Stoke Bruerne, Northamptonshire. There are no designated assets within the site boundary, although it lies adjacent to Stoke Bruerne Conservation Area and close to a number of listed buildings. Although there has been little archaeological investigation in the vicinity, it is known that there are a number of Iron Age and Roman sites in and around the village. A number of pits close to the church were probably Iron Age in date and further pits found 400m to the east of the site are dated to the Roman period. Both may indicate the presence of larger areas of settlement. During the medieval period the site lay outside the historic core of the settlement, within the open fields of the parish, although at some point the southern parts were enclosed and by the 18th century formed part of the Grafton Estate and glebe land. The Act of Parliament for the construction of the Grand Union Junction Canal was passed in 1793 and work began shortly afterwards. The Rector of Stoke Bruerne sold part of his land to the canal company in 1795. The land had previously been an orchard with a series of ponds. The original entrance to the tunnel under Blisworth Hill was located within the site, but the constant ingress of water meant that by 1795 work had all but halted. Work restarted on a new alignment, but was still slow, and a railway was constructed in 1800 to provide passage for the goods between the two sections of completed canal. Part of the railway route crosses this south-western part of the site. In the 20th century, part of the site was sold for stone quarrying, which was ultimately not undertaken, but a tramway and wharf are said to have been built. Earthwork remains relating to the construction of the tunnel, the 1800-1805 railway and the later quarry all remain within the site.