The Four Counties circuit offers a memorable canal boat holiday experience
It’s a popular choice for boating enthusiasts looking to explore the historic waterways of the British countryside.
The 110-mile route takes boaters on a canal boat holiday odyssey through the counties of Staffordshire, the West Midlands, Cheshire and Shropshire. The circuit travels sections of the Shropshire Union, Staffordshire & Worcestershire and Trent & Mersey canals. There are 94 locks to pass through and it takes around 55 cruising hours.
Highlights include: the Wedgewood Visitor centre in Stoke-on-Trent; the 2670-metre long Harecastle Tunnel; the flight of 15 locks at Audlem; views of the rolling Cheshire Plains; the Roman town of Middlewich; and the medieval market town of Market Drayton.
To complete the Four Counties Ring from our base at Great Haywood, you’ll travel 110 miles, pass through 94 locks. It will take around 55 hours, so it’s recommended to be done on a 10-day or two-week holiday. From Bunbury it will take around 58 hours to complete the Four Counties Ring.
The Black Country Ring
The Black Country Ring is a popular canal cruising route along the interconnected canals of the West Midlands
The route, also known as the Staffordshire Ring, travels stretches of the Birmingham & Fazeley, Coventry Canal, Trent & Mersey and various sections of the Birmingham Canal Navigations. The Black Country Ring covers 75 miles, and passes through 70 locks, including 21 on the Wolverhampton Flight.
Highlights include: the 21 locks at Wolverhampton; the tranquil waters at Tixall Wide; the National Trust’s Shugborough Hall; Fradley Nature Reserve; the Black Country Living Museum; and Gas Street Basin in Birmingham city centre.
The Black Country canals wind through urban areas, rural landscapes and nature reserves, offering diverse and picturesque surroundings to enjoy along the way. The route offers the chance to explore the industrial heritage of the region.
The canals were once vital arteries for transporting coal, iron, and other raw materials to and from the factories and mines of the Black Country during the Industrial Revolution. Along the way, you’ll encounter historic locks, bridges, and former industrial sites that provide glimpses into the area’s industrial past.
To complete the Black Country Ring from Great Haywood, you’ll travel 75 miles, passing through 79 locks, which will take around 43 hours.
The Avon Ring
The Avon Ring offers a stunning array of landscapes, including rolling countryside, tranquil rivers and quaint villages
The 108-mile long journey goes through 131 locks and navigates sections of the Stratford Canal, River Avon, River Severn and Worcester & Birmingham Canal. It takes you through the counties of Warwickshire and Worcestershire.
Highlights include: Bancroft Basin in Shakespeare’s Stratford; the River Avon with its panoramic views; the charming historic town of Evesham; the Cotswold medieval town of Tewskesbury; the City of Worcester with its magnificent cathedral; the flight of 30 locks at Tardebigge; and cruising through the remains of the Forest of Arden.
You can complete this epic circuit on a two week break from Wootton Wawen in around 58 hours.
The Birmingham Mini-Ring
With more canals than Venice, exploring Birmingham by boat is one of the best ways to experience Britain’s vibrant second city
The Birmingham Mini-Ring takes boaters through industrial heritage sites, historic neighbourhoods and green spaces, providing a unique perspective of Birmingham’s diverse landscape. The route offers views of city skylines, waterfronts and charming canalside pubs and cafes.
The 45-mile circuit passes through 49 locks and takes in sections of the Worcester & Birmingham, Birmingham Main Line and Grand Union canals. Highlights include: the historic village of Bournville, home of Cadbury’s chocolate; Gas Street Basin in the centre of Birmingham; the bars and restaurants at Brindleyplace; the flight of 13 locks at Farmers Bridge; and Pelsall Common.
You can complete this popular circuit on a week-long break from Wootton Wawen. From there it takes around 35 hours and goes through 83 locks. You can also complete this circuit from Tardebigge in around 27 hours, passing through 49 locks.
The Warwickshire Ring
The Warwickshire Ring takes you through picturesque countryside, historic villages and into the heart of Birmingham
The canal cruising circuit runs for 104 miles through 121 locks. It takes in sections of the Grand Union, Oxford, Coventry and Birmingham & Fazeley canals.
Highlights include: the flight of 11 locks into Atherstone; the pretty canal villages of Hillmorton and Braunston; the flight of 21 locks at Hatton, also known as ‘The Stairway to Heaven’; Warwick Castle, said to be Britain’s greatest medieval experience; Stockton Locks; Tamworth Castle; Fradley Junction and Nature Reserve; Warwick Bar; and boating through the centre of Birmingham.
From Wootton Wawen, you can complete this circuit on a 10-day or two week break. You’ll travel 104 miles and pass through 128 locks in around 53 hours. You can also complete this ring from our Tardebigge base in around 62 hours, passing through 125 locks.
The Stourport Ring
Cruise the Stourport Ring to experience picturesque countryside and industrial heritage sites
The route passes through charming villages, historic towns and industrial heritage sites, offering plenty of opportunities for scenic vistas and exploration.
The route travels 104 miles through 121 locks and takes around 44 hours. It takes in sections of the Staffordshire & Worcestershire, Worcester & Birmingham, Birmingham Main Line and Stourbridge canals, as well as a short section of the River Severn, Britain’s longest river.
Highlights include: Gas Street Basin and Brindleyplace in central Birmingham; Kinver with its National Trust rock houses; the City of Worcester with its magnificent cathedral; beautiful views of the open countryside along the River Severn; the Stourport Basins; the dramatic flight of 30 locks at Tardebigge, the longest in the country; and the 21 locks at Wolverhampton.
Route details
It’s recommended to travel the route anti-clockwise. Starting at Gas Street Basin transfer onto the Birmingham Canal Main Line heading North West towards Wolverhampton.
The route continues lock-free for a while, passing through Cosely Tunnel, then Wolverhampton Tunnel. After the tunnel, there are visitor moorings for exploring Wolverhampton, including its Grand Theatre and the fantastic Pop Art collection at its Art Gallery.
The Wolverhampton flight of 21 locks is next to negotiate, which takes around four hours. Then you’ll reach Aldersley Junction and the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal.
Six miles and another six locks later, you’ll reach Bratch Top Lock and pumping station in the pretty village of Wombourne, with its popular Railway Café and choice of village pubs.
A mile later, the canalside Waggon & Horses pub with a large beer garden, is a welcome stopping place.
After another eight locks, you’ll reach Stourton Junction, where the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal meets the Stourbridge Canal. From here, it’s an eight-hour journey on to Stourport. You’ll travel through 13 locks, past Kinver with access to the National Trust’s intriguing Kinver Rock Houses. And the historic market town of Kidderminster, with canalside dining at The Watermill and The Lock Inn.
At Stourport, once a busy inland port, you can explore the basins by following circular walks, and enjoy dining at the Bird in Hand, Windlass Café or Rising Sun Inn.
Next there’s a 12-mile section of the River Severn to travel along to reach the beautiful Cathedral City of Worcester. Here the Stourport Ring route transfers boaters back onto the Worcester & Birmingham Canal at Diglis Basin in the heart of the city. Worcester has many splendid buildings, including its spectacular Cathedral – with medieval cloisters, ancient crypt and magnificent stained glass.
Now on the last leg of the journey, the Worcester & Birmingham Canal takes you out of Worcester and steadily upwards through rolling fields and wooded cuttings. You’ll pass through the village of Tibberton, with its Bridge Inn.
Dunhampstead Tunnel is next and then Hanbury Wharf, where the Droitwich Canal meets the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.
After travelling through the Stoke flight of six locks you can rest at The Queen’s Head at Stoke Pound, before tackling the mighty Tardebigge flight of 30 locks. One of the largest flights in Europe, these locks take the canal up 67 metres over a two-and-a-quarter mile stretch.
Continue heading north up the Worcester & Birmingham Canal to return to Gas Street Basin.
The Cheshire Ring takes you through the Cheshire countryside, to the heart of Manchester and into the Peak District
It’s one of the most popular canal boat holiday circuits in England and is renowned for its scenic beauty, historic sites and charming villages.
This epic waterway journey will take you right through the heart of Manchester and into the Peak District via the Ashton, Macclesfield, Peak Forest, Rochdale, Trent & Mersey and Bridgewater canals. You’ll travel 97 miles and pass through 92 locks.
Highlights along the way include: the Anderton Boat Lift, one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways; stunning views of the Peak District along the Peak Forest Canal; the ancient town of Middlewich; Preston Brook Tunnel; Dunham Massey Hall; Castleford Basin; and Manchester’s China Town.
You can complete the Cheshire Ring on a 10-day or two-week break from Bunbury. You’ll travel 122 miles and pass through 102 locks, which takes around 86 hours.
The Droitwich Ring
The Droitwich Ring offers a delightful canal boat cruising experience along the tranquil waterways of Worcestershire
Also known as the Mid-Worcestershire Ring, the Droitwich Ring is a 21-mile, 33-lock circuit which takes around 16 hours to complete. It travels sections of the Worcester & Birmingham Canal and the River Severn, as well as the Droitwich Barge and Junction canals.
Highlights include: the City of Worcester with its magnificent cathedral; the historic spa town of Droitwich; Hanbury Hall; the ancient village of Salwarpe; Dunhampstead Tunnel; and Diglis Basin.
The Droitwich Canals were historically important for the transportation of salt, as Droitwich Spa was known for its salt production. The canals fell into disuse but were restored and re-opened in 2011, offering boaters the opportunity once again to navigate the Droitwich Ring.
