Canal Boat Holiday Destinations from Alvechurch in Worcestershire

From Alvechurch on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal near Bromsgove, you can reach Birmingham city centre or Hockley Heath on a short break. On a week-long break you can travel to Warwick or into the heart of Birmingham, where there are more canals than Venice.

The 29-mile-long Worcester & Birmingham Canal connects the River Severn at Worcester with Gas Street Basin in Birmingham city centre. There are 58 locks along its length, including the 30 locks of the Tardebigge flight, the longest flight of locks in Britain.

3-night destinations from Alvechurch

Birmingham and back (22 miles, 0 locks, 10 hours)
Head north up the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, cruising through the remains of the Forest of Arden. Travel through the 2493 metre-long Wast Hills Tunnel to King’s Norton Junction. Continue heading north, passing Cadbury World at the village of Bournville. At Edgbaston you pass through another short tunnel which leads you to Birmingham City Centre, where you can moor at Gas Street Basin. From there you can walk to Brindleyplace and visit city centre attractions, including the Sea Life Centre and Mailbox shopping centre. Return to Alvechurch.

Hockley Heath and back (32 miles, 2 locks, 14 hours)
Head north up the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, cruising through the remains of the Forest of Arden. Travel through the 2493 metre-long Wast Hills Tunnel to King’s Norton Junction. Transfer onto the tree-lined Stratford Canal and continue cruising through Bradwood Tunnel. When you reach Hockley Heath, you’ll find a choice of places to eat, including Hockley House and Wedges Bakery. Return to Alvechurch.

4-night destinations from Alvechurch

Birmingham Black Country Museum & back (41 miles, 6 locks, 17 hours)

Follow the 3-night route to Birimingham and continue on to Brindleyplace to join the Birmingham Main Line Canal. Go through the 3 Smethwick Locks and Summit Tunnel. At Spon Lane Junction turn left towards Oldbury and join the Old Main Line Canal. Cruise on to Tipton Junction and then you’ll reach the Birmingham Black Country Museum in Dudley. This superb 26-acre open-air site, where many episodes of the Peaky Blinders have been filmed, has 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. Return to Alvechurch.

Kingswood Junction and back (37 miles, 40 locks, 22 hours)
Follow the 3-night route to Hockley Heath and continue along the Stratford Canal. You’ll go down 20 locks of the Lapworth Flight and onto the Lapworth Link. At Kingswood Junction you can turn you boat around and then moor up at Lapworth Junction to visit the village and the National Trust’s Packwood House. The canalside Tom o’ the Wood pub at Rowington is also a short walk away along the Grand Union Canal towpath. Return to Alvechurch.

7-night destinations from Alvechurch

The Birmingham Mini Ring (47 miles, 50 locks, 28 hours)
Follow the 3-night route to Birmingham. From Gas Street Basin go to Worcester Bar and transfer onto the Birmingham Canal Navigations Main Line. At Deep Cuttings Junction, transfer onto the Birmingham Canal Navigations Newall Branch. At Farmer’s Bridge Junction, transfer onto Birmingham & Fazeley Canal Main Line. Go through the 13 Farmer’s Bridge Locks spread over a mile. At Aston Junction, transfer onto the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal Digbeth Branch. Go through Aston Tunnel and 6 locks. At Proof House Junction, transfer onto the Grand Union Canal and go through another 6 locks at Camp Hill. Continue heading south along the Grand Union Canal. You will soon reach the Knowle Flight of 5 locks, then you’ll pass the King’s Arms pub at Heronfield.

You’ll pass the Navigation Inn just before you reach Kingswood Junction. Using the Lapworth Link, transfer onto the North Stratford Canal, and go through 20 locks of the Lapworth Flight. When you reach Hockley Heath, you can moor up to find food at a choice of shops and restaurants, including Hockley House and Wedges Bakery. The National Trust’s Packwood House is also nearby. At King’s Norton Junction, transfer back onto the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, and head south back to Alvechurch.

Warwick and back (52 miles, 82 locks, 34 hours)
Follow the 4-night route to Kingswood Junction and transfer onto the Grand Union Canal. Turn right and you’ll soon pass the canalside Tom o’ the Wood pub at Rowington. Then you’ll go through the 443-yard-long Shrewley Tunnel. Soon after you’ll arrive at the top of the 21-lock Hatton Flight, also known as The Stairway to Heaven. Make your way through the locks. You can stop off at the Hatton Arms or the Hatton Locks Café. When you reach Warwick, moor up at the Cape of Good Hope pub and from there you can explore the many museums and historic attractions, including Warwick Castle. You can turn your boat around above the lock next to the pub and return to Alvechurch.

Worcester and back (36 miles, 110 locks, 31 hours)
Head south down the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. You’ll pass the canalside Crown pub and you’ll go through two tunnels – the 614-yard-long Shortwood Tunnel and the 580-yard-long Tardebigge Tunnel. Then you’ll reach the top lock of the Tardebigge flight of 30 locks. You can break up the journey through the locks at the Queens Head pub at Stoke Wharf. Soon after the Tardebigge Locks you’ll pass Hanbury Junction, where the Droitwich Junction Canal meets the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. You’ll find the Eagle & Sun pub at Hanbury Wharf. Next you’ll go through the 230-yard-long Dunhampstead Tunnel and then you’ll go through the village of Tibberton, home of The Bridge canalside pub. Continue to Diglis Basin and turn the boat around. Then moor up to explore the ancient City of Worcester, including its magnificent cathedral. Return to Alvechurch.

10 or 11-night destinations from Alvechurch

Stratford-upon-Avon and back (64 miles, 108 locks, 43.5 hours)
Follow the 3-night route to Hockley Heath and continue along the narrow Stratford Canal. You’ll go down 20 locks of the Lapworth Flight and onto the Lapworth Link. Transfer onto the South Stratford Canal and continue cruising through the Warwickshire countryside. When you  reach the village of Lowsonford, you’ll find the canalside Fleur de Lys pub. At Wootton Wawen, there’s a farm shop and soon after you’ll pass Hill Farm Marina with The View restaurant. Further on you’ll cross the 200-yard-long Edstone Aqueduct with views of the Warwickshire countryside all around. Stretching 146 metres and formed of 35 separate sections bolted together, Edstone Aqueduct is one of the earliest pre-fabricated structures.

When you reach the top of the Wilmcote flight, you can moor up and walk into the village of Wilmcote, home of the Mary Arden Inn. Between here and Stratford-upon-Avon there are 17 locks taking you down to Bancroft Basin in the centre of Shakespeare’s Stratford. Moor up and explore this world-famous town’s many attractions, including the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and Shakespeare’s Birthplace. Turn the boat around in the basin and return to Alvechurch.

The Stourport Ring (84 miles, 118 locks, 51 hours)
Follow the 7-night route to Worcester and transfer onto the River Severn. Cruise to Stourport-on-Severn where you’ll join the picturesque Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal. You can moor up to explore Stourport, once a busy inland port, and dine at the Bird in Hand or Rising Sun Inn. Continue along the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal Main Line. You’ll travel 12 miles, through 12 locks, passing through Kidderminster and Kinver, before reaching Stourton Junction. At Kidderminster you’ll find several canalside pubs, including the Lock Inn and at Kinver you can visit the National Trust’s Kinver Rock Houses.

Transfer onto the Stourbridge Canals Main Line and cruise on for 6 miles, passing through 20 locks to Black Delph. Change onto the Birmingham Canal Navigations (Dudley Canal No.1) and cruise on for 2 miles, passing through 9 locks to Parkhead Junction. Move onto Dudley Canal No.2 and continue for 2 miles to Windmill End Junction. Then join the Netherton Tunnel Branch and cruise for 2 miles to Dudley Port Junction. You’ll now be on the Birmingham Canal Navigations Main Line. Continue for 7 miles to reach Worcester Bar and connect with the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. You can moor at Gas Street Basin to explore Birmingham city centre, including Brindleyplace with its Sea Life Centre and waterside dining. Continue south along the Worcester & Birmingham Canal back down to Alvechurch, passing Cadbury World at Bournville.

14-night destinations from Alvechurch

Braunston Turn and back (91 miles, 132 locks, 56 hours)
Follow the 7-night route to Warwick and continue along the Grand Union Canal. You’ll soon reach the outskirts of Royal Leamington Spa, with shops and pubs within walking distance of the canal. And you’ll pass through the pretty village of Itchington, with a choice of pubs, including The Duck on the Pond and canalside Two Boats. Next you’ll reach the Blue Lias pub at the bottom of the Stockton Flight. Climb up to Stockton Top Marina and soon after you’ll go through the 3 locks at Calcutt.  At Napton Junction, where the Grand Union Canal meets the South Oxford Canal, turn left and cruise on through the countryside.

When you reach Braunston Junction, you can turn right and pass under the cast-iron bridge. Turn the boat around at Braunston Marina entrance and then moor up to explore the village and its choice of pubs, including the canalside Admiral Nelson. Return to Alvechurch.

The Avon Ring (111 miles, 131 locks, 60 hours)

NB to complete this route you will need to purchase an additional licence to cruise onto the River Avon Navigations.
Follow the 7-night route to Worcester and join the River Severn. Head south and you’ll pass Upton-on-Severn before reaching Tewkesbury, where you’ll transfer onto the River Avon. You’ll pass under the medieval St John’s Bridge and continue cruising along the River Avon. You’ll pass the Fleet Inn at Twyning Green. When you reach Pershore, moor up to explore this Georgian market town, including its magnificent Abbey. At Wyre Piddle you’ll find the Anchor Inn and at Fladbury, the Chequers Inn. When you arrive at Evesham, moor up near Workman Gardens and Abbey Park to take a short walk into this historic market town.

Next you’ll reach Bidford-on-Avon, with its medieval bridge and plenty of pubs, including the Bulls Head. At the village of Welford-on-Avon, known for its timber-framed cottages, there’s a riverside pub called the Four Alls.

The River meets the Stratford Canal at Bancroft Basin in Stratford-upon-Avon. You can moor up to explore Shakespeare’s Stratford, including the Swan Theatre and Shakespeare’s Birthplace. Next head north up the Stratford Canal through the 11-lock Widcombe Flight, passing close to the village of Wilmcote, home of the Mary Arden Inn. Cruise across the Edstone Aqueduct and pass through Wootton Wawen. Continue north along the Stratford Canal through quiet wooded countryside. There are 5 locks to go through at Preston Bagot. And another 3 before you reach the village of Lowsonford, home of the canalside Fleur de Lys pub.

When you reach the Lapworth Junction, stay on the Stratford Canal. Go up the Lapworth Flight and through Hockley Heath, home to a choice of pubs, including Hockley House. At King’s Norton Junction transfer back onto the Worcester & Birmingham Canal and go through Wast Hills Tunnel and back to Alvechurch.

The Warwickshire Ring (115 miles, 128 locks, 65 hours)
Follow the 3-night route to Birmingham’s Gas Street Basin. Moor up to explore the city centre, including the Sea Life Centre at Brindleyplace, the Jewellery Quarter and China Town. At the next junction turn right towards Cambrian Wharf.  You’ll then go downhill through 13 locks at Farmers Bridge and under Aston Road Bridge. Take the next left at Aston Junction and through a further 11 locks before you reach Salford Junction. Here you’ll turn right on to the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal.

After Tyburn Bridge there are three locks at Minworth. At the bottom of the flight you’ll find the canalside Hare & Hounds pub.  At the 11 locks at Curdworth you’ll find the Dog & Doublet pub next to Lock 9 and the White Horse pub in the village. Kingsbury Water Park is also nearby. Between Salford Junction and Curdworth bottom lock there are pubs and shops within walking distance.

At Fazeley Junction turn right to connect with the Coventry Canal. You’ll go through 2 locks past Tamworth and Polesworth, and next you’ll tackle the 11 locks at Atherstone. The canal then continues lock-free, passing Marston Junction, where the Coventry Canal meets the Ashby Canal. Turn left and left again at Hawkesbury Junction and cruise down the North Oxford Canal.  You’ll pass through Newbold Tunnel (250 yards) then it’s lock-free again all the way to Hillmorton. There are three locks at Hillmorton, where Canal & River Trust volunteer lock keepers are usually on hand to help.  The Stag & Pheasant pub is in the village, and there’s a village shop.

Around 2 hours later you’ll reach the Braunston Turn. Braunston has a great choice of pubs, including the canalside Admiral Nelson. Continue along the Grand Union Canal to Napton Junction. Turn right and go through the 3 locks at Calcutt. Then go down the Stockton Flight and past with village of Long Itchington with its choice of pubs, including the Duck on the Pond. You’ll pass through the outskirts of Royal Leamington Spa before reaching Warwick. Moor up at the Cape of Good Hope pub and from there you can explore the many museums and historic attractions, including Warwick Castle.

Continue to the bottom of the Hatton Flight and go through the 21 locks. After that, you’ll go through the 443-yard-long Shrewley Tunnel and then you’ll pass the canalside Tom o’ the Wood pub at Rowington. At Kingswood Junction, turn onto the Lapworth Link and then head north up the Stratford Canal. Go through the Lapworth flight and pass through Hockley Heath. At King’s Norton Junction, turn left onto the Worcester & Birmingham Canal and head south back down to Alvechurch.