A return to the Grand Union to finish off one small section that remains after completing the full length of London to Birmingham – the Northampton branch.
This is a fairly short 4.5 mile section from Gayton Junction to the junction with the river Nene in Northampton. Mixed weather on the day – mostly sunny but quick spell of drizzle at the end.

Bridge 48 on the main line – I passed here some time ago on a previous walk, but kelp heading along the main line.

Standing on bridge 48, looking northwards into the Northampton branch

Looking westwards along the main line, at Gayton junction

Bridge no 2 – Arm End Bridge

Passing a marina

Maintenance on a boat

Approaching the corner towards bridge no 3

Bridge no 3 – Sandlanding bridge

Winding hole just above Rothersthorpe Top Lock

Lock no 1 – Rothersthorpe Top Lock

Single gate at the top, double at the bottom

Bridge 4 – unnamed

Looking down the flight of locks

Drawbridge 5 – Robinson’s bridge – this one fixed in the open position

Wire sculpturework

Drawbridge 6 – Allcott’s bridge

Bridge 6A – slip road bridge

Looking back underneath bridge 6A to the bottom of the lock flight

Bridge 6B – substantial bridge carrying the M1

Lock 13 – Rothersthorpe bottom lock

Aqueduct

Lock 14 – Wootton lock

Fancy paneling on bridge 9A

Bridge 13 – Blackwood Hodge bridge

The tower of the national abseil centre

Bridge 14 – unnamed

Lock 16 and bridge 15 – railway bridge

Nearing the end – note the rubber and gravel pathway – very easy on the feet!

Bridge 17 – carries the A5123 Towcester road

New apartments by the side of the towpath

End of the walk – winding hole next to lock 17 – Northampton Lock, where the canal joins the River Nene

Commemorative seat. Beer optional.