Walk along the bottom of a lock chamber, enjoy a trip or a canoe taster on the water and get up close to a newly restored historic working boat

There is an exciting opportunity this weekend, 11-12 February, to head to the picturesque village of Stoke Bruerne for a free open weekend on the Grand Union Canal.

As winter works continue, visitors can explore one of the drained lock chambers, as experts talk through the repairs taking place on the flight, including the replacement of a number of wooden lock gates.

There to welcome people will be Stoke Bruerne’s oldest floating resident, the working boat Sculptor, which has just gone through some conservation work. Built in 1935, it carried cargo from London to the Midlands, before being drafted in World War II to help with fire fighting.

The weekend of family-friendly activities also features free angling and canoeing taster sessions (as long as the weather behaves) and short rides on the trip boat Charlie. For the younger ones, there will be storytelling throughout the day thanks to a working boater from the 1800s.

The open weekend runs from 10am to 4pm this Saturday and Sunday. It is free, apart from boat trips and entry to the Canal Museum.

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Archant