IWA Northampton Branch

Northampton Branch hosts regular talks over the autumn and winter months.  The Branch also has two work parties each month on the Northampton Arm of the Grand Union Canal; these take place throughout the year.

The Mosaic Trail

Come and enjoy our Mosaic Trail, at any time throughout the year.  This is a walk along the Northampton Arm towpath, where there are mosaics to find at each lock.  It’s 4¾ miles (7.5 km), family friendly and the kids can take the challenge to receive a certificate.

The trail features 34 mosaic designs, and was constructed with the help of local school children.  We joined up with local Northampton primary schools – Briar Hill and Delapre,  and with assistance from mosaic expert David Bowers produced some wonderful artwork.  They all enjoyed the challenge!  Our hard working IWA Northampton volunteers laid them into the grass. Find out more about the work of our volunteers.

The walk starts at lock 1 of the Northampton Arm, near Gayton Junction, then finishes at lock 17 in the town centre. Or start in town and walk out to Gayton junctions, its an easy, level 4 ¾ miles.  There are actually two mosaic plaques at each location, one depicts an aspect of canal heritage, the other has a letter with an associated image from nature. We challenge you to get the letters and work out the phrase they make! Of course you can enjoy the wonderful surrounds of the towpath as you go.  Make it an education for the family, explain the working of the locks to kids, once they’ve got the letter of course.  Download the MS Word form , then submit it by email or by post to earn yourself a Certificate of Achievement.  Enjoy!