Fenny Compton tunnels

The Oxford Canal doesn't look particularly dramatic as it cuts through Northamptonshire countryside near Fenny Compton, but underground it tells a different story entirely. Two tunnels - one stretching 424 yards, the other 187 yards - burrow beneath the village, and they're among the earliest examples of canal tunnel engineering in Britain. Built in the 1790s to avoid a sharp ridge in the landscape, they're proof that canal builders were willing to get ambitious when the terrain demanded it.

Walking the towpath above or, if you're lucky enough to access the canal itself, spotting the tunnel entrances is the main draw. The stonework's impressive even now, with those Georgian-era proportions and careful brick work still visible. It's not a massive attraction - you won't spend hours here - but it's the kind of thing that sticks with you if you care about industrial heritage or just fancy seeing how people solved engineering problems before the railways came along.

History enthusiasts will get the most from this. The tunnels represent a pivotal moment in transport infrastructure, and there's something quietly brilliant about seeing the solution carved into the landscape. Walkers doing the canal towpath will appreciate it as a natural stopping point; families camping at Hill Farm Glamping or Coleman's Hill just a couple of miles away can easily detour. Spring and autumn are best - summer brings bank holiday crowds to the canal, and winter towpaths can be boggy. Access depends on current canal conditions and permissions, so check with the Canal and River Trust before planning a specific visit.