Holidays on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal
Cruise through the remains of the Forest of Arden, visit Birmingham and the beautiful Cathedral City of Worcester
The 29-mile long Worcester & Birmingham Canal starts in Worcester as an off-shoot of the River Severn. It travels through the green hills of Worcestershire and the ancient Forest of Arden, before ending at Gas Street Basin in the heart of Birmingham.
The canal climbs 130 metres from Worcester to Birmingham, using 58 locks, including 30 at Tardebigge – one of the largest lock flights in Europe.
Construction of the canal began in 1792 from the Birmingham end, and the final section was completed in December 1815. A major user of the canal in its freight-carrying heyday was the canalside Cadbury chocolate factories at Bournville and Blackpole.
There are a series of tunnels on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, including the 2,493-metre long Wast Hills Tunnel. This is one of the longest in the country and it’s close to King’s Norton Junction, where the Worcester & Birmingham meets the Stratford Canal.
Popular destinations on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal include the canalside Weighbridge Inn and Crown Inn at Alvechurch, the Hopwood House at Hopwood.
Cadbury World in the historic village of Bournville is on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. Richard and George Cadbury moved their expanding business here in 1879, with the canal a critical mode of transport for the chocolate factory’s products and raw materials.
The Worcester & Birmingham Canal forms part of the Stourport Ring.
Short breaks from Tardebigge
Birmingham Gas Street Basin & back (10 hours, 0 locks)
From our Tardebigge base near the top of the Tardebigge flight, it takes just five hours (with no locks) to reach Gas Street Basin in the centre of Birmingham.
Heading north from Tardebigge, in just one hour boaters reach the village of Alvechurch, with its canalside Weighbridge Inn, passing through fields, wooded glades and one short tunnel along the way.
The next pub is the Hopwood House at Hopwood, which serves freshly roasted Rotisserie chicken and house and guest cask beers on tap.
Then the canal goes through the 2493-metre long Wast Hills Tunnel, one of the longest in the country before reaching King’s Norton Junction, where the Worcester & Birmingham meets the Stratford Canal.
Soon the canal passes Cadbury World in the historic village of Bournville, where Richard and George Cadbury decided to move their expanding business in 1879, with the canal a critical mode of transport for the chocolate factory’s products and raw materials.
The landscape is now increasingly urban as you travel on into the very heart of Birmingham, passing through Edgbaston Tunnel.
With more canals than Venice, travelling by canal boat is a great way to explore Britain’s vibrant second city. Once moored up in Gas Street Basin, it’s a short walk to Brindleyplace with its National Sealife Centre, Ikon Gallery and dozens of waterside restaurants and bars.
Many of the City’s top attractions are within easy reach, including the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, home to the most important collection of Pre-Raphaelite art in the world.
Lapworth & back (14 hours, 0 locks)
On a short break from Tardebigge, you can cruise lock-free to the village of Lapworth, home of the National Trust’s Packwood House.
The journey takes you along the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, through the remains of the Forest of Arden, to Kings Norton Junction. You then transfer onto the Stratford Canal to reach moorings in Lapworth.
From there, it’s a short walk to the Tudor Packwood House, with 150 acres of parkland and gardens to explore, including the famous Yew Garden. The journey to Lapworth takes around seven hours and passes through three tunnels.
Birmingham’s Black Country Museum & back (16 hours, 6 locks)
On a short break from Tardebigge you can cruise to Birmingham Black Country Museum and back, to visit this superb 26-acre open-air site, home of the Peaky Blinders. Here you can meet costumed characters explaining what it was like to live and work in one of the world’s most heavily industrialised landscapes.
There are period shops and homes to explore, the ‘Bottle & Glass Inn’, a 1912 school lesson and traditionally cooked 1930’s-style fish and chips. There are also vintage tram and bus rides and the chance to take a trip ‘into the thick’ to experience life in an 1850’s coal mine.
Week long breaks from Tardebigge
The Stourport Ring (44 hours, 118 locks)
On a week’s holiday from Tardebigge, canal boat holiday-makers can complete the Stourport Ring, travelling a total of 74 miles through 118 locks in around 44 cruising hours.
It’s recommended to travel the route anti-clockwise, so begin by heading north to Gas Street Basin, then 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 which 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, before reaching Aldersley Junction and the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal.
Six miles and another six locks later, boaters 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 an extensive menu and large beer garden, is a welcome stopping place.
After another eight locks, boaters reach Stourton Junction, where the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal meets the Stourbridge Canal. From here, it’s an eight-hour journey on to Stourport, travelling 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.
On arriving at Stourport, once a busy inland port, boaters 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 (Britain’s longest river) 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, offering the chance to see some of the City’s 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 boaters out of Worcester and steadily upwards through rolling fields and wooded cuttings, passing 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 boaters can rest at The Queen’s Head at Stoke Pound, which offers wood fired pizzas, barbeques and live music, 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, and take around five hours to complete before returning to our boatyard at Tardebigge Old Wharf.
The Droitwich Ring (30 hours, 117 locks)
On a week-long break from Tardebigge you can complete the Droitwich Ring.
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.
The Birmingham Mini-Ring (27 hours, 49 locks)
On a week-long break from Tardebigge you can complete the Birmingham Mini-Ring.
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.
10-day/two-week breaks from Tardebigge
The Warwickshire Ring (62 hours, 125 locks)
On a 10-day or two-week break from Tardebigge you can complete the Warwickshire Ring.
The 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.
The Avon Ring (58 hours, 131 locks)
On a 10-day or two-week break from Tardebigge you can complete the Avon Ring.
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.
The Black Country Ring (53 hours, 79 locks)
On a 10-day or two-week break from Tardebigge you can complete the Black Country Ring.
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.
